John Ward House

The John Ward House is a 1600s residence featuring a steeply pitched gabled roof, a large central chimney, and diamond-paned windows under a pronounced second-story overhang. The structure displays the typical woodframe construction and architectural style of early Massachusetts colonial homes.

The building was constructed in 1684 by John Ward, a leather worker, and originally stood near the jail used during the Salem Witch Trials. Its initial location connected it directly to one of the most troubling events in colonial American history.

The rooms display furnishings and everyday objects from the 1600s, revealing how early Massachusetts settlers organized their homes and conducted daily tasks. Original construction details show the craftsmanship and practical choices people made when building and living in these spaces.

The Peabody Essex Museum manages the house and offers guided tours through both floors showing rooms with original wooden beams and plaster finishes. Visitors should expect tight spaces and low ceiling heights typical of colonial-era construction and design.

The house was relocated in 1910 by being split into two sections and transported on ox-drawn carts across three city blocks to save it from demolition. This unusual preservation technique allowed the structure to be moved without being destroyed, keeping it intact for future generations.

Location: Salem

GPS coordinates: 42.52278,-70.89333

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49