Pickman House, First period colonial house in Salem, Massachusetts.
Pickman House is a two-story wooden structure built with characteristic elements from the 1600s, including carved interior posts and its original foundation still in place. The building displays early colonial craftsmanship through details that were hidden by later modifications.
Built between 1665 and 1671 by mariner Samuel Pickman, the house survived the Salem witch trials of 1692 and 1693. It remained standing through this turbulent period and was later modified with Victorian improvements.
The house welcomed notable residents over the centuries, including French painter Michele Felice Corné who brought tomatoes to New England in the early 1800s. Today it serves as a gathering point reflecting the lives of those who lived within its walls.
Located on Charter Street behind the Peabody Essex Museum, the house functions as a welcome center next to Charter Street Cemetery. Visitors can easily reach it while exploring the nearby museum and other historical sites in the area.
The building was hidden for generations under Victorian modifications that concealed its original 1600s details beneath layers of later additions. These earlier features were uncovered during restoration work in 1968, revealing the craftsmanship of its early construction.
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