The House of the Seven Gables

Images of America

by Ryan Conary, David Moffat, Everett Philbrook

The House of the Seven Gables is an American icon. It is one of the nation�s oldest homes and one of its first historic house museums. Built in 1668, it is a unique and well-restored first period house displaying many preserved 17th- and 18th-century architectural features. Three generations of the seafaring Turner family lived in the home before the American Revolution. In the 19th century, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne was hosted in the house by his cousin, and the setting encouraged his literary genius. After this famous association, the house attracted tourists even before it opened to the public when the artistic Upton family called the mansion home. In 1910, Caroline Emmerton, an enterprising philanthropist, opened the home to raise money to help local immigrants. She restored the structure and brought other historic houses from Salem to the property.

Genres: History

131 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2017

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this to help support “The Gables” right now as they’ve not been able to do tours as usual during the pandemic.
I got to know this amazing collection of buildings, history and people when I worked there as a tour guide (“historical interpreter”) one summer during college. The grounds have not only the house Hawthorne based his novel on, which was his cousin Susannah’s, but his birthplace and a few other historic old houses moved there.
Did I experience ghostly encounters in the house? Yes, I did, in the parlor. The attic had a wicked odd vibe as well.
Now, the book: it did a good job explaining the history of who had owned the historical houses on the property, who restored things, what the houses had been used for over the years, Caroline Emmerton’s great philanthropic contributions, and the ways The Gables has helped those in need over the years with social programs and other resources, and continues to do so. My only complaint is that many of the images were not in great shape - fuzzy and/or dark.
My humble suggestion: Visit the Gables in Salem MA and see it all for yourself! Take a tour when they’re back open. Contribute to their efforts to help those in need. I think you’ll be glad you did. The place is transformative, and a must-see for lovers of history or Hawthorne.

[w gall · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrative dragged along for over half of the first part of the book. The characters were developed, but some were very strange, hardly believeable. Finally, the narrative picked up. It was an unusual turn of events which Hawthorne tied together so nicely in the end; everybody living surely lived happily ever after. A very unusual and creative piece of writing. But Hawthorne philosophized too much throughout the novel for my liking.

[Mary Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great documentation

I am planning a trip to Salem MA soon, so wanted to read and learn some history. Will definitely put this on our agenda.