TWO MODES OF TRANSPORT

Salem, MA - I took this photo but was hesitant about posting it, it may not be the most flattering for the driver of the carriage. Anyway, I just happened to catch two unique modes of transport in one shot. The real reason I posted this photo is the cool reflectors on the horses front legs. I am not sure I have ever seen that.



Reflectors

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION - WWI MONUMENT

Salem, MA - This monument was in front of the Immaculate Conception Church in Salem, MA. It is to honor the boys from the parish who served in the World War, this was before we started to give them numbers.

Nathaniel Hawthorne Statue

Salem, MA - To continue on with our Nathaniel Hawthorne theme. The sculptor of this statue was Bela Lyon Pratt (1867 - 1917) and was dedicated Dec. 23, 1925.

More Info: http://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/images/image.php?name=MMD2251

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE’S HOUSE

Salem, MA – Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in this house in 1804. His father Nathaniel Hawthorne was a sea captain who lost his life at sea when the young Nathaniel was only five. He did not leave his family with much wealth so they had to move to Maine to stay with her family. The Hawthorne’s were descendents of John Hawthorne, a judge at the witchcraft trials of 1692.

Nathaniel was most famous for writing, “The Scarlet Letter” and “The House of Seven Gables.

This house was built in 1750 and moved beside the House of Seven Gables in 1958 with the assistance of architectural historian and conservator, Abbott Lowell Cummings

Information by: http://www.7gables.org/tour_nh_birthplace.shtml and
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/hawthorn.htm

DERBY HOUSE

Salem, MA – The Derby House is the oldest brick house still standing in Salem. Merchant and fleet owner built the house in 1762 as a wedding present to his son Elias Hasket Derby and his wife Elizabeth. Between the years of 1762 and 1782 they raised a family of seven children. In 1796 they sold the house to Capt. Henry Price who built the West Indian Good Store next door. Over the years the Derby House became the home of several prominent sea captains.

WEST INDIAN GOODS STORE

Salem, MA – Salem was one of the most important ports, where much cargo came in and out of. Cargo would have been brought into and out of this port but some was sold to the locals. These West Indian Goods stores would be the outlet where these goods could be bought. As the name suggests, goods from the West Indies could be bought but other things from all around the world would also be sold here. This store was built by Capt. Henry Price about 1800 and over the years it was home of other shops including painters, tobacconist, and a wine and liquor merchant. It is now owned by Eastern National Park and Monument Association who sell items in the store that are similar to what Salem residents could have bought in the Golden Age of Sail.

Great info: West Indian Good Store

MR WIZARD

Mr. Wizard - Salem, MA

SALEM BEER WORKS

Salem Ma - This is the Salem location of the famous Boston Beer Works who's original location is just down the street from Fenway Park in Boston.

Info: Boston Beer Works

PSYCHIC SALEM

Salem, MA - When I was in Salem I noticed a large number of Psychic stores and fortune tellers. These are just the one's I noticed. So if you are looking for a Psychic, now you know where to go.

THE HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES

Salem, MA - This is the famous "House of Seven Gables" made famous by the novel of the same name written by Nathanial Hawthorne. The original house was built in 1668, this is the oldest wooden 17th century mansion in New England. The house is also known as the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion. I took a tour of the house (no photos allowed in the house)and here are a few facts that I remember. The house originally had 3 gables and was added on to until it had seven gables. Then somewhere along the line, someone removed the added on sections until it had three gables. Then, someone put it back to its seven gable state; sorry, I don't remember who and the dates. Another fact we were told was the Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote the novel,"House of Seven Gables" when the house only had three gables ( can't verify). I will look into this more when I feature Mr. Hawthornes house sometime in the near future.

PIRATES

Salem, MA - In Salem is the New England Pirate Museum where you can find all about the scoundrels. The even have a 80 foot long cave to explore and see where buried treasure lies.

FRIENDSHIP OF SALEM

Salem, MA – This is the replica of the original “Friendship of Salem” that was built in 1796 – 1797 by the shipbuilder Enos Briggs, who also built the frigate Essex. This replica was built by the Scarano Shipyard in Albany, NY. It is made with some modern materials to meet Coast Guard requirements.

The original Friendship sailed 15 times around to world trading for spices, sugar, coffee, pepper, and other goods. While returning from Archangel, Russia during the War of 1812 she was captured by the British and sold at auction in London, England.

Beginning in 1626, Salem became an important seaport with much trade and fishing done from this port. During the Revolution, many of the patriot seaman turned to privateering to help the war effort. During the Revolution 158 privateering vessels captured 445 British vessels. These privateering profits help to increase the fortunes of many of the post war merchants.

You can tour this ship and see what a old time sailing ship look like.

Info: http://www.nps.gov/archive/sama/indepth/pdfs/Friendship.pdf

WITCH PLEADINGS

Salem, MA - Just as you walk into the Ancient Cemetery in Salem, there are these stones in the ground with pleadings of the people accused of being witches. You could imagine how they must have felt.

BEFORE AND AFTER – U.S. CUSTOM HOUSE – SALEM MA

Eagle atop the Custom House.



Salem, MA - This is the U.S. Custom House in Salem, MA. It was built in 1818 and in the early 19th century, between 8 and 12 percent of the U.S. revenue was collected here.
Nathanial Hawthorne worked in this building between 1847 and 1849 as a Customs Surveyor.

Info and early 1900’s photo.

Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie, America's Oldest Candy Company

Salem, MA - The company dates back to 1806, when an English woman named Spencer was shipped wrecked and ended up in Salem. When her neighbors learned that Mrs. Spencer knew how to make candy they all got together and purchased for her a barrel of sugar. Her first candy was the "Salem Gibralter," said to be the first candy made and sold commercially in America and carried around the world by sea captains and their crew.
She originally sold her candy on the steps of the First Church but as the candies popularity grew she started selling to the surrounding towns by horse and wagon.
When Mrs. Spencer died her son carried on the business until about 1830. Her son decided to return to England and the company was then sold to a John William Pepper. John Pepper added Black Jack (an all natural stick candy made from black strap molasses).

Info: http://www.yeoldepeppercandy.com/

This is the oldest commercially sold candy in America.



They said that they don't go bad. Here is 174 year old candy...want a bite?



Blackjacks, the first stick candy manufactured in America. Not to be confused with Blackjacks gum which is the oldest gum.

SALEM WITCH MUSEUM

Salem, MA - This is the Salem Witch Museum. Inside your can watch a narrated display of the Salem Witch Trials. These trials went on for less than a year, March to September 1692. Over a hundred were accused but only 14 women and 5 men were hanged and one man was pressed to death; they did not burn witches in the Colonies, just in Europe. The whole thing started when young girls went into fits and started to say names during these fits. These are the people that were hanged. These fits might have been from a reaction to bad grain, ergot poisoning. It was found out later that a least one girl faked these fits and falsely accused a few people who were hanged.

A word of caution, this is not a museum for very young children. We saw one father that brought his young daughters(no mother with them); they looked terrified. It was a PG13 program with Satan, stories and drawings of witches eating children, etc.