ne
Holiday
"Salem is known for
its beautiful period
architecture and
the tour is a really
fantastic opportunity
to showcase that."
maritime heritage, but this area in particular served as one of the original trading
ports during the Old China Trade of the
late-18th century and mid-1800s," says
Thompson, a Salem resident since 1978.
For 30 dollars, ticket holders will be
able to see select homes by candlelight
during the Friday evening preview tour
and can explore the remaining residences
over the course of the next two days. Other highlights include a holiday concert,
lectures, and wine tastings at Salem Wine
Imports. Free trolley service runs the
entire length of the tour route and drops
visitors downtown to browse the city's
quirky shops and top-notch restaurants.
Proceeds support Historic Salem's mission to identify and preserve the town's
endangered sites. So far, the organization
has helped to save The Wendt House, The
Samuel Pope House, and The Jonathan
Corwin House, also known as The Witch
House, as it is the only remaining building
with a connection to the witch trials.
So who's on hand to deck all those halls?
Residents are given the option to decorate
their own homes, but most choose to enlist
the volunteer help of local tastemakers like
florists Dave Engs and Darlene Gallien,
who contributed arrangements to last
year's tours. Pianists, cellists, and harpists
playing seasonal tunes enhance the ambiance, creating an experience that attracts
2,000 New Englanders each year. "We have
Halloween month and our witch history,
but there's so much more to see here," says
Thompson. "I feel fortunate to have worldclass museums, gorgeous architecture,
and fantastic shopping and restaurants
right outside my front door. It's part of the
magic of this city, and the holiday season
makes it all the more special."
Making Merry: Designers assemble a smattering of
holiday décor ideas.
See Salem
Historic Salem, Inc.
9 North St., 978-745-0799
historicsalem.org
The Henry Derby House
47 Summer St., 978-745-1080
henryderbyhouse.com
Christmas in Salem
christmasinsalem.org
Salem Wine Imports
32 Church St., 978-741-9463
salemwineimports.com
Derby Street Historic District
salemweb.com
The House of the Seven
Gables Works
Wood
115 DerbyWood's
Ryan & St., 978-744-0991
Doug Ryan.
7gables.org
The Wendt House
18 Crombie St.
salempreservation.org
The Samuel Pope House
69 Boston St., historicsalem.org
The Jonathan Corwin House
(The Witch House)
310 1/2 Essex St., 978-744-8815
salemweb.com
Dave Engs
136 1/2 Derby St.
978-745-0035
daveeng.com
Flowers by Darlene/
North Shore Fruit Baskets
130 Canal St., 978-745-6967
fruitnflowers.com
42 nshoremag.com December 2013
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