Chestnut Street District

Chestnut Street District is a historic neighborhood covering about 45 acres with homes and mansions built mostly in the early 1800s, displaying Federal and Georgian architectural styles. The buildings line the streets between Bridge Street and River Street, creating a cohesive residential area that reflects the period when Salem was wealthy from maritime trade.

The neighborhood developed between the late 1700s and early 1800s when Salem's maritime trade brought great wealth to the city. The area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 to preserve its significant buildings and architectural heritage.

The homes here reflect the taste and values of merchant families who shaped Salem's identity during its prosperous trading years. Walking through these streets, you notice how their choices in design and decoration reveal what mattered most to people in that era.

You can explore this neighborhood on foot, starting from the Salem Regional Visitor Center on New Liberty Street, which offers guided walking tours through the area. The district is compact enough to view the main buildings and streets in a couple of hours.

Samuel McIntire, a local architect, designed many buildings throughout this district, and you can visit his former residence and workshop at 31 Summer Street. His influence on the area's architecture is evident in numerous homes that showcase his distinctive design approach.