The Witch House, at the northwest corner of Essex and Summer Streets in Salem, around 1901:
The house in 2019:
The Witch House in Salem is one of the oldest houses in Massachusetts, and is the only surviving building in Salem with direct ties to the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. The house was owned by one of the judges, Jonathan Corwin. It was likely built in the 1660s or 1670s, although some place its date in the 1640s or even earlier. The 1901 photo was taken prior to its restoration and move; a street widening project necessitated moving it about 35 feet, and the house was restored to its presumed 17th century appearance, which did not include the attached storefront from the 1901 photo.
I have some of Judge Corwin’s wife’s possessions.
Explain the gabled roofline and the difference in the size of all of the windows.
Was there a total ‘remodel’ of the house.
Somehow it doesn’t look like the same house at all!!!
It was restored to its 17th century appearance, which involved removing the 18th century additions, including the gambrel roof from the first photo. The gables are built with new material, but my understanding is that the actual structure of the house itself is original.
Exactly the chimney is the same and the original roof line. Looks like gambrels were added for for more witch appeal haha
They were added because they were originally on the house in the 1600s.
I thought I was the only one who thought that
That is interesting..you should post pics..I love history.
Unfortunately, whomever is responsible for the “restoration” of the house had far too free of a hand in the “restoration” Moving it back for road widening = yes; remove the store front = yes. The rest of what has been done to the house is specious at best. Unless there exists original plans and foot print in blue prints of some sort, then all the “restoring” is one or more individual’s take on history. Not necessarily correct.
Yes!!! This.
Hence the word “presumed”
Are there any records of the buildings occupants from the early time going forward?
I was thinking the same exact thing. It looks to be a totally different house now. Nothing is the same as the 1901 house.
Most of the changes are superficial exterior changes. The core of the house is the same.
Sad how many innocent women were hung and worse all because they were educated and knew how to be natural healers all in the name of religion. Looks like we haven’t learned from history sadly
Did they turn it when they moved it? The roof line is different.
It was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin. Other than that nothing happen at the house during the so called Witch House
Everyone leaving these comments, you’ll really just reach so far to be able to complain about anything. Was it yours to renovate and restore? No. If you wanted it done a certain way maybe you should’ve bought it then. Otherwise shut up. The house is still standing, who cares. “It doesn’t look like the original house at all”, do you look like the “original” person you were 20 years ago? No. Shut up.
This house has been completely remodeled. This is not what the house looked like in the 1600’s. Take the store front off and whala there’s the original house. This newer home may have the same bone structure but that’s it.
This is what the house looked like in the 1600s. By the time the first photo was taken it had been heavily altered on the exterior, not just adding the storefront.
Tha house was amazing!! Saw it and went through it in April of 2023.
Thanks for sharing I enjoyed the pictures and story. Would love more of the town. Was there this past summer. Can’t do all the walking so I feel I missed alot.