Pickering House

The Pickering House is a colonial residence in Salem that expanded gradually over several centuries through successive additions. The structure blends early wooden frame construction with later architectural elements, creating a visual record of changing building styles.

The house was established in 1660 and remained in one family's hands for over three centuries. This long continuity allowed the building to acquire features from different historical periods.

The rooms inside show how everyday life unfolded across generations, from furniture and cooking tools to personal items that reveal changing domestic customs. Walking through feels like stepping into different time periods of family living.

The building sits in the old town and is visible from the sidewalk, with its distinctive shape easy to spot. Visitors should expect narrow rooms and steep stairs typical of older residential structures.

What started as a simple two-room farmhouse was later enhanced with Gothic Revival elements, including decorative roof details. These layers reveal how homeowners adapted their houses to shifting tastes over time.