Stephen Phillips House, Federal mansion in Salem, United States
The Stephen Phillips House is a brick mansion from the late 1700s with ornate wooden details, period furnishings, and maintained gardens throughout the property. Inside, visitors find historical rooms decorated with family belongings, vintage carriages, and the original kitchen setup from centuries past.
Built in 1795 for a shipping merchant, the mansion incorporates architectural elements salvaged from an earlier property. This practice reflected how wealthy families at that time chose to preserve and reuse valued building components from previous generations.
The home displays furnishings and objects collected by five generations, showing how wealthy merchant families lived during the maritime trade era.
The house opens for guided tours through Historic New England, allowing visitors to explore multiple rooms, exterior grounds, and the carriage collection. Wearing comfortable shoes helps as you move through various spaces and may venture outdoors to see the gardens.
The original kitchen survives with detailed family records documenting dinner parties, including seating charts and menus from past generations. These intimate notes offer rare glimpses into everyday meals and social customs of wealthy households.
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