United States Customhouse, Maritime museum and historic site in Salem, Massachusetts
The United States Customhouse is a Greek Revival building with four Doric columns and solid masonry walls situated at the Salem waterfront. Inside, exhibits explain how the customs operation worked, the details of maritime trade, and America's early commercial regulations.
The building was constructed in 1835 based on architect Robert Mills' design and functioned as the center for collecting duties on incoming maritime goods. It was part of the federal system that regulated American commerce and shaped trade policies in the young nation.
The building reflects how the Salem harbor shaped early American commerce and the customs system's role in the nation's economic growth. Visitors can see how tariffs and trade regulation affected the daily operations of this bustling port town.
The museum operates throughout the year on most days and offers guided tours to help visitors understand the exhibits and the building's role in American commerce. The location on Salem's waterfront is easy to reach on foot from downtown, with parking available nearby.
An 1859 measuring device still hangs on the wall inside, once used by customs officers to calculate taxes on goods arriving from abroad. This tool offers a tangible reminder of how trade inspectors carried out their daily duties.
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