House of Seven Gables Historic District
Also known as: Turner House
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Why it's listed
Eight buildings on Salem's waterfront make up this district, which is centered on the House of Seven Gables. John Turner built the house in 1668, and it was enlarged over the following decades, most notably with a south wing around 1678 and Georgian interior remodeling about 1720. It is described as the most ambitious frame dwelling of the 17th century still standing in Massachusetts, and it is believed to have been the setting for Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel of the same name. Nearby are the Retire Beckett House, the Hathaway House, the Hawthorne Birthplace, the Counting House, the Doret House, the Federal style Phippen House and Emmerton Hall, dating from about 1655 to 1840. Several were moved to the site. The settlement association founded by Caroline Emmerton restored the group and maintains it for public education. The grounds are planted with species suited to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Significance in brief: The House of Seven Gables is called "the most ambitious frame dwelling of the 17th century now extant in the Commonwealth" and is linked to Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel. The other buildings, dating from c. 1655 to c. 1840, add architectural and historical interest, including the Hawthorne birthplace and Salem shipbuilding and trade. The complex has been restored and is maintained for public education.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73000323, listed May 8, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 54 Turner St. at Derby and Hardy Sts., Salem |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | May 8, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73000323 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 17th, 18th and 19th centuries (specific dates 1655, 1682, 1740, 1780, 1782, 1840) |
| Architect / builder | John Turner (House of Seven Gables, 1668); John Beckett (Retire Beckett House); Benjamin Hooper (Hathaway House); Benjamin Pickman (Hawthorne Birthplace); Joshua Phippen (Phippen House) |
| Architectural style | Colonial and Georgian-era frame houses with Federal style buildings (Phippen House, Emmerton Hall) |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Transportation, Literature, Architecture, Education |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated March 29, 2007 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition marked excellent; the buildings have been restored and are maintained as museum properties by the House of Seven Gables Settlement Association, with some buildings moved to the site. |
| Acreage | 6.5 |
| Within district | Derby Waterfront District |
| Coordinates | 42.52195, -70.88395 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73000323.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3297920
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.