salem house tour 2023

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Seasonal & Holidays

Christmas in salem house tour returns for 44th year in 2023, historic salem, inc. will operate the tour on dec. 2 and dec. 3 featuring homes around salem common..

Scott Souza , Patch Staff

SALEM, MA — The visiting crowds in Salem may be all about Halloween for the next three weekends but Historic Salem, Inc. is already planning its annual holiday house tours.

The Christmas House Tour is set for Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 with this year's theme being "An On Common Christmas" featuring homes around Salem Common.

Tickets for the 44th annual tour — a tradition for many North Shore families — are now available here .

Find out what's happening in Salem with free, real-time updates from Patch.

The history of the Salem Common dates back to the 1600s when militia trained in the swamp and livestock grazed. The area was filled in 1801 with trees and walkways — making it desirable for residential use.

Many of the homes featured on this year's Christmas in Salem tour date back to the time when the Federal-style mansions were built.

The Salem Armory located at the corner of Essex and Liberty Streets in downtown Salem will be the starting point for this year's tour where tickets can be picked up or purchased the day of the event.

There will be a candle-lit preview on Dec. 1 from 6:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. with tickets available at the time of purchase of regular tour tickets.

Tickets are $40 for non-Historic Salem, Inc. members and $35 for HSI members. Tickets purchased the day of the tour are $45. Tour tickets including the Friday night candle-lit preview are $120 for non-HSI members and $100 for members of Historic Salem, Inc.

Christmas in Salem proceeds to support the preservation mission of Historic Salem, Inc.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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CHRISTMAS IN SALEM HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR 2023

December 2, 2023 @ 10:30 am - 4:30 pm.

 Historic Salem, Inc. (HSI) is pleased to announce that tickets for this year’s  Christmas in Salem  house tour are now available online at www.historicsalem.org.  2023 is the 44 th  year of offering a collection of homes bedecked for the holidays and a variety of seasonal musical entertainment.  The annual tour has become a Christmas tradition for many residents and friends on the North Shore.

This year’s tour is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3, and is themed “An On Common Christmas” as it features homes around the Salem Common.  In the 1600s the Salem Common was a swampy area used for livestock grazing and militia training.  In 1801 Elias Haskett Derby led an effort to fill in the swamp, plant trees and lay out walkways.  This made the surrounding area highly desirable for residential use.  Many of the homes featured on this year’s  Christmas in Salem  holiday house tour date back to this time when spacious Federal-style mansions were built.

The Salem Armory located at the corner of Essex and Liberty Streets in downtown Salem will be the starting point for this year’s tour where guests can pick up and purchase day of tickets.  The Armory dates to the late 18 th  century.  In 1982, the beautiful Gothic Revival building was nearly destroyed by fire.  The remaining drill shed was converted into the Salem Armory Visitor Center in 1994.  The area between the drill shed and the corner of New Liberty and Essex Streets was turned into Armory Park, honoring the veterans of Essex County.

Back by popular demand is an optional candle-lit preview to three homes between 6:45pm and 9:15pm on Friday December 1 st  where participants will be offered hors d’oeuvres and a wine tasting.  Tickets for Friday’s preview are limited and are an option offered when people purchase their  Christmas in Salem  tickets online.  Tickets for the preview include the option to return over the weekend to tour the remaining houses.

Tickets for  Christmas in Salem  are available online at www.historicsalem.org at a cost of $40 for non-Historic Salem, Inc. members and $35 for HSI members.  Tickets purchased the day of the tour are $45.  Tour tickets including the Friday night candle-lit preview are $120 for non-HSI members and $100 for members of Historic Salem, Inc.   Christmas in Salem  proceeds support the preservation mission of Historic Salem, Inc . 

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Salem Garden Club

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HSI House Tour

Salem Garden Club members decorate one of the homes on the the Historic Salem, Inc. Christmas in Salem House Tour. The home is decorated in accordance with the house’s style and time period. Decorations are handmade b the Garden Club members. They consist of fresh greenery, floral arrangements, tree trimmings, and window dressings that emphasize the elegance and grace of the historic Salem home. Photos below show some of the beautiful arrangements that adorned homes in the building that was once the Salem Jail.

Join SGC & Help Our Mission

The Salem Garden Club meets at the Mayor Jean A. Levesque Community Life Center this season for its regular monthly meetings. Non-members are welcome to attend meetings in October, November, March, April, May, and June. A $5 donation is suggested.

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Salem holiday home tour set.

Salem Is Home for the Holidays! takes place Dec. 2 and 3.

Sponsored by the Salem Federation of Women’s Clubs, the event includes a tour of seven grand structures in the Salem area. The properties were built between 1863 and 2018 and will be decorated for the holiday season.

This year’s event includes locations on the National Register of Historic Places and a home that’s been featured on HGTV’s “If These Walls Could Talk.”

Participants will receive a list of sites, which can be visited at any time and in any order during the times of the tour.

The event runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 2 and 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 3. Tickets are $20 and are available in advance at A Touch of Gracious Living, Nature & Nurture, Ricky’s English Pub, Salem Computer Center and Christmas Trim a Tree Wonderland in Salem and Consign & Design in Poland.

Tickets can be purchased the day of the event at the Ruth Smucker House, 271 S. Broadway Ave. During the tour, donations of warm, used coats will be collected there for the nonprofit organization Blue Coats, which helps area veterans and the homeless.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 330-207-6031.

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Sat, Dec 02

13 Market St, Salem, NJ 08079, USA

Salem City Historic Homes Yuletide Tour

Time & Location

Dec 02, 2023, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

About the event

TICKETS : Pre-Sale  • $15 | Day of the Event • $20

• Purchase Online / PLEASE NOTE: Online Ticket purchases can be picked up  the day of the event at the ticket booth at the cabin near 13 Market Street  For more information or questions, please call 856.339.0400.
• VENMO : @SUFS23
• Purchase in-person at the following locations: Royal Port Antiques, Sunnyside Boutique, The Arc Thrift Shop, Market Street Treasures, Ginny’s Hair House, Parker Jewelers, Leightons, Java Dog, Cawman’s Antique Mall and The Yellow Garage.
• Mail a check to : Stand Up For Salem - Yuletide Tour, P.O. Box 33, Salem, NJ 08079
• PLEASE NOTE: Your ticket purchase for the Salem City Historic Homes Yuletide Tour does not include admission to the Woodstown Central Railroad rides. To purchase tickets specifically for the train, please visit Site #2 (Charles Pederson Park located on North Market Street) the day of the event. For questions about the train, please contact the Woodstown Central Railroad directly.

-----------------

Join us as we celebrate our 36th Annual Home for the Holidays, Salem Yuletide Historic Homes Tour, December 2nd from 1 PM -6 PM. Visit 22 sites including homes, churches and historic sites as well as the following activities: 

• Revolutionary War Re-enactments by the Second Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line & the 43rd Regiment of Foot
• Woodstown Central Railroad Rides with Santa at Site #2 - Charles Pederson Park located on North Market Street. This site features Letters to Santa, Hot Chocolate & a Yuletide Merchandise Table (PLEASE NOTE: Tickets for the train ride are sold separately at site #2 by Woodstown Central. Children must be supervised.)
• Elves Workshop at Site # 12 - the J.C.Penney building located at 225 East Broadway.
• Along the Road Band from 1 to 4 PM at 40 Market Street.
• Pictures with Santa & Live Nativity at Site #7 - The Manse (c.1906) located at 60 Market Street.
• Salem Oak Winery Tasting at Site #18 - the Sarah Hall House located at 90 West Broadway.
• Strolling Carolers
• Vendors and Pop Up Shops

Start you day at the Salem Magic of Christmas Parade along Broadway at 11 AM, and end it at the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony 6:30 PM at the Old Courthouse.

Salem is one of the oldest permanent English speaking settlements in the Delaware Valley.  Salem City’s streetscapes reflect the history of the people and places and are filled with many historic houses and architectural styles from Colonial, Victorian, and Colonial Revival style houses popular in the first part of the 20th century.  Its central district, intersected by Market Street and Broadway, are listed as historic districts on the New Jersey State and National Registers of Historic Places, and many properties display this badge of honor proudly. 

The 2023 Yuletide Tour of Historic Salem, New Jersey is dedicated in memory of Ron & Diane Wohlrab, who sadly passed away this past year. Both Ron & Diane have been active with the tour since its inception with the Market Street Improvement Association.

As proud owners of the Samuel Clement House on Market Street, they will fondly be remembered for their large collection of clocks, enormous 5,000 light Christmas tree with glass ornaments, and for always appearing in colonial costume on tour day. Both being avid storytellers, there were many stories to be told from Diane’s many years as a teacher. Ron’s stories were of clock repair and collecting trains or their many years and summers spent on their sailboat or antiquing in Maine. As many of us know, a ghost story or two would always have its way into the mix too.

Ron & Diane were continuously active in Salem for over 35 years including the Salem County Historical Society, Salem City Historic Preservation, Market Street Improvement Association, Saint John’s Episcopal Church and the Salem City Ghost Tour to name a few. May Ron & Diane’s Legacy forever and appropriately so, live on in our own stories and memories of them and their contributions to Salem.

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Home Builders Association of Marion & Polk Counties

• FIND CONTRACTOR

2024 Tour of Homes

Saturday, July 13th-Sunday July 21st

Noon – 6pm weekends | 6pm – 9pm weeknights

Free Admission

Find a home, download map.

Saturday, July 13th – Sunday, July 21st

Weekends: noon-6pm  |  weekdays: 6pm – 9pm, free admission.

The Home Builders Association of Marion & Polk Counties’ 2024 Tour of Homes, presented by NW Natural, takes place from Saturday, July 13th through Sunday, July 21st and features outstanding new homes throughout Marion and Polk Counties from many of the region’s finest new home builders.  With 15 homes showcasing the latest designs and trends in new home construction, the Tour offers you the opportunity to see a wide variety of sizes, price ranges and styles.

Whether you’re in the market for a new home, looking to hire a builder for your dream home, or simply looking for inspiration as you decorate, furnish and make improvements to your own home, we hope you’ll venture out onto the 2024 Tour of Homes!

Pick up your complimentary Tour of Homes guidebook beginning July 8th from our sponsors, or at any Tour home during regular Tour hours.

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#14 Walter Building Co

#15 Wilcox Custom Homes, LLC

BROWSE HOMES

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3915 Cloverdale Rd SE Turner, OR 97392

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2124 Limestone Avenue SE, Salem, OR 97306

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5927 Evangelista Street South, Salem, OR 97306

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Guide books

Tour of Homes guidebooks can be picked up at any Tour home during regular event hours, as well as at any of the following locations beginning Monday, July 8th, during their regular business hours.

Cherry City Interiors & Design 1768 13th St SE, Salem

Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm Saturday 10am – 4pm

The Fixture Gallery 2800 Pringle Rd SE, Salem

Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm Saturday 10am – 4pm

SERVPRO 859 7th Street NW, Salem

The Benjamin Group Powered by Cross Country Mortgage 1665 Liberty Street SE Suite 200 Salem

Home Builders Association of Marion & Polk Counties 2075 Madrona Ave SE, Salem

Presenting sponsor.

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

Book it. Walk it. Fall in Love With it.

15% off tours valid between june 1 and august 31 copy coupon code below and use at checkout:, explore a historical journey in salem massachusetts.

Walk With Us

Come take a stroll with us down a historical journey through the streets of Salem. From the beginning, our past has been notoriously labeled from the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 to modern day. With almost 400 years behind us, "The Witch City" has lots of wicked stories to tell.

Witch City Walking Tours offers many captivating tours: - History & Hauntings of Salem ‍ - Mysteries & Murders of Salem ‍ - Hocus Pocus Movie Locations - Specters & Apparitions: A ghost hunting tour in Salem ‍ - Merchants & Mansions of Salem - Spirits, Sinners & Scandals Adulteress Tour - PopSalem! A pop culture walking tour - Spirits & Supersitions: a Friday the 13th tour ‍ ‍

Witch City Walking Tours offers a workshop: - Witch City Broom Making Workshop ‍ ‍

With your licensed professional tour guide, explore the social, political and environmental influences which spread mass hysteria, causing the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Discover how Salem became a world-class seaport, creating some of the wealthiest families in America and America's first millionaire. Stroll the cobblestone lined streets, taking in some of the most stunning 17th and 18th century colonial architecture. Or, if you like to be scared, get chills down your spine hearing ghastly tales of ghosts, macabre murders and true crime stories in Salem's history. Witch City Walking Tours 'History & Hauntings Tour' was named the "No. 1 Cultural & Historical Tour in the United States and  No. 2 in the World" by Trip Advisor in 2024. Other accolades: - No. 1 Cultural & Historic Tour in the U.S. in 2023 by Trip Advisor - No. 6 Cultural & HIstoric Tour in the World in 2023 by Trip Advisor -  "Best Historical & Cultural Tours in the World" by TripAdvisor 2022. - One of the "Best Historical & Cultural Tours in the United States" in 2022. - "Trip Advisor's Most Booked Fall Experience in America" for 2021. - Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Awards and a multi-year recipient of TripAdvisor's "Certificate of Excellence". ‍ So.... come take a walk with us and see why our tours are simply magical! ‍ Please note: OUR TOURS OPERATE RAIN OR  SHINE! 24 hour cancellation required for a full refund. All sales are final September 10 - November 11.

History & Hauntings of Salem

History, hauntings, the Salem Witch Trials, architecture and hidden gems. Suitable for all ages. Get ready for a mysterious journey through almost 400 years of Salem’s rich and storied history. Your local, well-versed guide and historian is excited to share their passion of this beautiful quaint city with you. Rated as the top walking tour in Salem, you will experience approximately two hours of captivating tales of our city's history, chilling tales of the supernatural, while being awed by the breathtaking architecture, and discover the fascinating truth of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Your guide will take you off-the-beaten path, while you experience the lesser known sights and history of Salem.

Mysteries & Murders of Salem

For those who prefer a slightly *darker* historical perspective of Salem. Your guide brings to life the true crime stories of murder, myth and macabre. (Ages 13+ only.) Come experience the darker side of Salem with our 1 hour 45 minute Mysteries & Murder tour. We retell the most spine-chilling true crime tales of murder, mystery and macabre that happened in Salem's past. Why did an insane woman in the early 1600s murder her child? Who was the famous hitman who murdered the slave trader in his sleep? Did the Boston Strangler really make a visit to Salem? These tales and much more will unfold on this whirlwind tour of this mysterious seaside city.

Hocus Pocus Movie Locations of Salem

Brisk 4 mile walk. Come relive the magic of Disney's Blockbuster, Hocus Pocus! Starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, Hocus Pocus has become one of the most beloved movies of the 20th century. The majority of the movie was filmed in Salem in 1993. We will take you to 5 locations used during filming. Your ticket price includes entry to Pioneer Village, as well as a special Hocus Pocus gift! Along the way, you will also hear about the Salem Witch Trials, the maritime history, how we became the "Witch City".

Specters & Apparitions: A ghost hunting tour.

Have you ever been curious about the spirit world? Or are you a ghost denier? This tour dives into Salem’s paranormal activity using actual professional ghost hunting equipment. This hour long tour may change your mind if ghosts are real or not? We visit some of the most haunted locations in Salem on this journey to connect with the spiritual world. Our guides walk you through Salem using professional ghost hunting equipment and techniques to seek out the spirits who haven’t departed yet from Salem. You may catch a glimpse of a ghost peering through the windows at you. You may hear voices. Or you may catch an anomaly with photo/video on your cell phone with something quite peculiar or unexplainable. Come take a tour in search of the spirits of Salem with us. ***We cannot guarantee ghost sightings or unusual phenomena or paranormal activity of any kind. Results may vary. *Professional Ghost Hunting equipment is only available during the tour and must be returned to the guide at the end of the tour with a credit card deposit. We will be using professional ghost hunting equipment including A Spirit Box, EMF reader, Temperature Sensors, and laser grids. *** We recommend bringing a fully charged cell phone for pictures and video for the duration of the tour. Please note: We will NOT be entering any cemeteries or buildings during the tour. This is an outdoor activity only. It is illegal to enter a cemetery after dusk.

Merchants & Mansions of Salem

Suitable for all ages. Spring and summer only. Do you love architecture? We do! No trip to Salem is complete without a tour of the most beautiful section of Salem, the McIntire district. Come experience over three centuries of architecture from First Period American, to Georgian Colonial and the stately Federal style. Your guide will wind you through the cobblestoned streets of Salem, discovering hidden gems, viewing over two dozen sites, and sharing stories of Salem's rise to becoming the wealthiest city in the country in the 18th century.

PopSalem! A Pop Culture Walking Tour

Curious how Salem became the Witch City and the Capitol of Halloween? From Witchcraft to Lovecraft, the PopSalem tour is for you. Salem's journey to the Witch City couldn't have happened without popular culture. Discover how Bewitched, Hubie Halloween, author H.P. Lovecraft, video games, textbooks and other types of media all influenced the way we experience Salem today. · A guide brings the history of Salem to life through storytelling. · Learn about the people and events that made Salem the "Witch City" and Capitol of Halloween. · Visit some of Salem’s most iconic sites – including the Witch Museum, Burying Point, and Bewitched Statue - in a fun, festive, one-hour tour. · Brand-new tour from Salem’s number one walking tour company – only in October!

Spirits, Sinners & Scandals Adulteress Tour

Get ready for Salem's spookiest, haunted *adults only* tour, which will take you on a whirlwind journey through the cobblestoned streets of this 17th century city....This tour is unlike anything else in Salem. You will hear tales of murder, deception and despair as you cross paths with the supernatural. Your costumed guide will bring stories to life as they pass by cemeteries, haunted sites and visit dark corners as you relive some of Salem's most terrifying tales. Adults only, 18+.

Spirits & Superstitions: a Friday the 13th Tour

This is the only tour in Salem which focuses on Friday the 13th, superstitions and local ghost stories. On this 90-minute tour, learn the secrets behind some of the most mysterious superstitions. Hear ghastly tales of hauntings and the paranormal. Discover for yourself some of the most shocking secrets of Salem's chilling past. This limited edition tour is only available on Friday the 13th.

Witch City Broom Making Workshop

We had a brilliant tour with Dawn on a very, very rainy night, Monday 9/11. The content of the tour was interesting, it gave me a very good overview of Salem’s history. The tour was more history than hauntings in my opinion. Dawn really brought the stories to life and was very generous with her time and encouraged the group to interact and ask questions.

I am a long-time resident of Salem and had forgotten how amazing our town is, thank you Violet for awaking my interest in Salem's history again! Violet is a fantastic tour guide, and our group is extremely impressed by her. Violet spoke well, charming and is clearly knowledgeable. She was able to change a muggy dreary rainy night into very pleasantly memorable evening.

During a day trip to Salem, I participated in the History and Hauntings tour provided by Witch City Tours. This walking tour was so informative and beautiful! Our tour guide, Michael, knew quite a bit about the history of Salem and the witch trials. His summary of Salem's dark past piqued our interest into learning more about it, which led to the purchase of a history book in a local shop.

Recent Activity

Witch City Walking Tours is proud to be the sponsor for this year’s Salem Education Foundation’s raffle for “Dinner for Two” anywhere in the world! 🌎

When visiting Salem, where should you go to eat? Here are some suggestions from our guides:

Destination Salem

Good Morning America

National geographic.

Travel AAA Guide

Travelers choice, travelers' choice™ best of the best.

Charities We Sponsor

Witch City Walking Tours proudly gives back to the community of Salem, Massachusetts! Every month, one of our guides chooses a local non-profit that is important to them and we donate $1000 to support their missions. In turn, these worthy organizations work diligently to lift the members of our community. 

Recently, Witch City Walking Tours has supported:

• Salem Education Foundation and their raffle for “Dinner for Two” anywhere in the world! 
• Northeast Animal Shelter for blankets, towels, and food for the animals.

We’d like to thank all of our tour guests for helping us make this possible, and for helping us keep Salem a vibrant and beautiful city where we, along with our neighbors, live and work.

Who We Sponsor

Charitable Contributions

Working Hours

Sunday to Saturday   09:00 AM to 11:00 PM

32 Derby Square Salem, MA 01970 (Outside on the 3 staircases of the Old Town Hall)

Open Daily 10 A.M. – 6 P.M. • Advanced tickets are strongly recommended.

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ABOUT THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES

In 1668, merchant and shipowner John Turner I, and his wife Elizabeth Robinson Turner, built a house on Salem Harbor that was destined to become one of America’s most beloved historic homes. Designated a National Historic Landmark District in 2007, The House of the Seven Gables is best known today as the setting of world-renowned American author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel. But it is so much more! Learn about four centuries of inclusive history at one of America’s most beloved historic homes. Plan your visit, explore our educational opportunities and embark on a tour with us today!

Open Daily 10 A.M. – 6 P.M.

All purchases are non-refundable.

Members get unlimited free admission and early access to tickets before general sale. 

Visit The House

Mansion tour package, grounds pass.

4.6 stars 3,400 Google reviews as of 1/9/2023

4.5 stars 2,669 reviews as of 1/9/2023

4.5 stars ‎ 3,063 reviews as of 1/9/2023

What is Travelers’ Choice? Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Currently Tripadvisor’s #1 Attraction in Salem.

Full Moon Yoga

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Wild Sea Wellness will be offering monthly yoga classes at The House of the Seven Gables throughout 2024. Be sure to check their website and calendar for details, dates, and links to register. The next partnership is scheduled for August 21.

Behind Closed Doors

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

The House of the Seven Gables has many stories to tell, but we can only tell so many on our usual tour. Join The Gables for a special "Behind the Scenes" tour where you will get into spaces the public generally isn't allowed, hear some of the lesser-known stories, and enjoy The Gables like few ever have!

Enduring Hawthorne: Ekphrastic Writing at The House of the Seven Gables - Mansion Viewing

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

The House of the Seven Gables and Salem Lit Fest are inviting all of our writers to visit The Gables, the famous home that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne to pen the novel of the same name. We hope you will become equally inspired to write, be it a poem, short story, or song and share it with your colleagues and the public.

SETTLEMENT PROGRAMMING AT THE HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES

The Gables offers educational programming to support our local immigrant community including Adult English Language and Citizenship preparation classes. We engage our wider community through stimulating, thoughtful, facilitated conversations on immigration and other social justice issues.

OUR HISTORIC SITE

The House of the Seven Gables Museum Campus was designated as a National Historic Landmark District in 2007. Our seaside campus consists of 2 acres of land, seaside colonial revival gardens, and several historic buildings. In addition to preserving and maintaining our campus, the organization cares for over 3,000 works of art, furnishings, and ephemera as well as an archive with thousands of documents, books, and mixed media.

SUPPORT THE GABLES

Support our mission to be a welcoming, thriving, historic site and community resource that engages people of all backgrounds in our inclusive American story.

There are many ways to support The Gables, including donating, becoming a member, and attending events!

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Open Daily 10 A.M. – 6 P.M. Advanced tickets are strongly recommended. #h7g

Experience Salem’s Most Haunted Ghost Tour

Join Us for an unforgettable night of hauntings and ghosts down the hallowed streets of Salem to uncover why Salem is the most haunted city in America. Tours are offered nightly, year-round.

We’ll take you to the most haunted places in Salem for stories of the lesser-known tragedies, murders, and sordid events that took place here in Witch City. Are you ready to experience Salem’s most authentic ghost tour?

Ghost Tour Meeting Location :Outside Salem Five Savings Bank at 210 Essex St, Salem, Massachusetts

Tour Duration : 1hr. across 1 mile

To Order : Press "Get Tickets" for availability.

Ghost tours are held nightly, rain or shine!

The Experiences You've Heard About

Salem Ghosts: Witches, Warlocks, & Hauntings

Join Salem Ghosts for an unforgettable night of terrifying hauntings and real-life ghosts.

Salem Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

The Salem Haunted Pub Crawl will quench your thirst for haunted history and ghostly drinks, so join us and have your fill of spirits and spirits on this unique and unforgettable Salem drinking experience.

Salem Late Night Ultimate Ghost Tour

This terrifying tour will reveal Salem's rarely told tales and bone-chilling authentic hauntings of the America's most haunted city.

Secrets of Salem History Tour

Uncover rarely-told stories of how Salem handled the aftermath of its horrific deeds.

The Witches of Salem: Ultimate Witchcraft and Magic Tour

Discover the less well-known women of Salem who tested society’s boundaries as well as leaders in various occult movements who have found a place of acceptance here.

Witches and Wonder Women Tour

Join us and discover the world of witches and witchcraft that set the western world on fire, making it to the New World and culminating in the Salem Witch Trials. Uncover the origins of witchcraft and its most infamous victims and villains over the centuries, including the women of Salem and the roles they played in shaping the world of witchcraft.

Visit the Most Haunted Places in Salem

Salem’s rich history and the fact that many of its oldest structures and most notorious sites are well preserved today give it a truly eerie feeling. Even the first president of the United States, George Washington, experienced a haunting during his visit to Salem in 1789 and fled the town immediately.

Salem Ghosts takes you to all of the historic town’s most haunted sites and reveals their true stories so that you can feel connected to the history that took place there. If you feel a chill on your tour, know that it could be more than just the coastal breeze.

The Salem Witch House

The Witch House was originally not for housing a witch. Instead, it was home to Jonathon Corwin, the judge in the witch trials who sentenced innocents to death. Corwin believed in the other side himself and let the townspeople know he would not accept dealings with the devil. But now, locals say his guilt overcomes him in the night, and you can hear his wails emanating from the old 17th-century building.

Ropes Mansion

Does this mansion look a little familiar? Well, it was once in the movie Hocus Pocus. It looks like Hollywood knows a haunted house when it sees one. This old home, built in 1720, has passed hands several times. The original owner had three wives die within its walls. The next owner, Nathaniel Ropes, was a loyalist during the Revolution. His politics had the house attacked and stoned. Ropes unexpectedly died the day after the stoning. Now, his ire lives on in the house, frightening visitors to this day.

Salem Athenaeum

This library has been continuously operating ever since it was founded in 1810. The free exchange of knowledge is a founding principle of this nation. But the living are not the only curious souls who visit. Books reportedly fly off the shelves who just want to read, but you can determine that for yourself.

Test your bravery, and join us!

What to expect on your salem ghost tour.

The charming exterior of this tourist destination holds a veil over a past that’s riddled with gruesome murders, paranoia-fueled executions, and an afterlife on an eternal quest for vengeance. Walk down the narrow cobblestone streets with us as the stories unfold from Salem’s haunted past and present at sites like The Salem Inn, Ropes Mansion (featured in the Disney film Hocus Pocus), and Salem Old Town Hall.

About 16 miles north of Boston, Salem is a town of just over 40,000 inhabitants. Salem’s commitment to preserving its shameful history has made it a perfect spot for spirits to linger and for visitors to experience a connection with the past. The charming exterior of this tourist destination holds a veil over a past that’s riddled with gruesome murders, paranoia-fueled executions, and an afterlife on an eternal quest for vengeance. Salem may be lovingly referred to as Witch City.

There is a legacy of bloodshed, madness, persecution, hysteria, and devilish pacts churning impatiently on every cobblestone street of Salem. The Witches’ City overflows with tales meant to freeze your blood and stop your breath at every turn. Walk with Salem Ghosts carefully down the historic streets that define part of our American narrative.

Discover the Horrors that Haunt Salem

Learn about John Louder, who testified he fought off an attack by a deformed monster and chased it from his house.

Visit Salem’s Old Burying Point Cemetery, the final resting place of Jonathan Corwin, who sentenced innocents to death.

Discover how the Salem Witch Trials ended in 1693, but the memories of those frightening times have never left.

Check out the eerie site of the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, a monument dedicated to the accused and condemned.

Take a walk past the Merchant Hotel, the former home of the infamous sheriff who tortured and executed the accused.

Why You Should Book Your Salem Ghost Tour Tonight!

Salem is full of fascinating stories

It’s not just witches that haunt Salem, during the research for this tour evidence was found of so many other hauntings and amazing stories from history. Hear about Mr. Derby, and his ghost that haunts the Old Town Hall. Mr. Derby was a prominent merchant, who sponsored a full fleet of privateers during the revolutionary war. Although they did not engage in the war directly, they played a great part in diminishing the supply lines of the British. His life in Salem did not have a happy end, his pride and joy, the previous house on this site, was torn down by his son, and gifted to the city to build the current building. His ghost is still unhappy with the decision…

We Are Professional tour guides

When you book an experience with Salem Ghost Tours, you’re securing your spot with a professional group of licensed tour guides that specialize in providing safe, thrilling, and fun tours. Putting these stories together was a painstaking task, the locals featured often have relatives living in the town, care has been taken to treat the characters in the stories with respect.

Our Tours are designed for the whole family.

The stories on the Salem Ghosts tour are carefully curated, using only the best research, eyewitness accounts, and historical facts within the retellings. The stories are suitable for the whole family, everyone, even young people, can enjoy the tour. No sleepless nights for children who take the tour! You will all be talking about the stories you hear for months to come!

If you only have a short amount of time in Salem

You will have a fun and memorable experience on the Salem Ghosts tour, the history of the area is covered, of course. And the witch trials of 1692, but there is so much more to Salem, including a strong theme of the sea. There are many merchants, sailors, and naval heroes in the town’s history , they all have fascinating stories to share, and not all of them are happily dead and buried.The historical and first-hand accounts of terrifying hauntings come from the best local and national historical scholars, so rest assured that when you choose Salem Ghost Tours, you are choosing the best activity in the area!

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10 Amazing Holiday House Tours in South Jersey

Celebrate the holiday season in South Jersey at a historical home, mansion, church, or museum! Holiday House Tours are taking place throughout the month of December and we have the perfect lineup for you that includes 18th, 19th and 20th century homes and buildings decorated for the season. Find inspirations for your holiday celebrations and enjoy an afternoon of history, culture, and fun!

1. Holiday House: Barclay Collections Unveiled Friday, November 30th | 12 PM – 9 PM Saturday, December 1st | 12 PM – 5 PM Sunday, December 2nd | 12 PM – 4 PM Barclay Farmstead, Cherry Hill

The Barclay Farmstead will be decorated, portraying the theme “Barclay Collections Unveiled,” and there will be something for everyone to enjoy! There will be a wine tasting available on Friday from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM and light refreshments will be provided. A suggested donation of $5 at the door helps support the on-going restoration and award-winning programs.

2. Yuletide Tour Saturday, December 1st | 1 PM – 6 PM Historic Salem City

Visit historic Salem City as they host a full day of holiday festivities starting with the Magic of Christmas Parade, followed by the Annual Yuletide House Tour! Stroll through local historic homes, churches, and points of interest. Guests can shop for antiques, collectibles, and more in the town’s collection of stores. Later in the evening, enjoy the town tree lighting ceremony.

3. Bridgeton’s Holiday House Tour Saturday, December 1st | 1 PM – 7 PM Downtown Bridgeton

In a district that contains over 2,000 individual properties (NJ’s largest), Bridgeton’s Holiday House Tour offers a rare inside look at some of the best of the best. Visitors can tour over 15 holiday decorated historic homes, churches, shops, and public buildings conveniently located along a half-mile stretch of East and West Commerce Streets. All of the homes and buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places – some are individually listed and nationally marked.

4. Daily Victorian Christmas Tours December 3rd – 30th | 1 PM, 2 PM & 3 PM Historic Smithville Mansion, Eastampton

Smithville Mansion will reopen on December 2nd for the Victorian Holiday Celebration at Smithville Park and Daily Christmas Tours of the mansion will begin on December 3rd and continue through December 30th. A donation of $8 per adults and $7 for seniors and students is requested. During the holiday season, they also offer special evening candlelight tours ( click here to see dates ) and reservations are required.

5. Holiday House Tour Sunday, December 2nd | 3 PM – 7 PM City of Burlington

Get into the holiday spirit with the City of Burlington’s Holiday House Tour!  Visit private homes, churches, and historic buildings showcasing both interior and exterior decorating ideas.The event also features Santa, entertainment, merchant discounts, and much more! Afterwards, do some shopping in Burlington’s many boutiques or grab some grub from a local restaurant.

6. Candlelight Tours Friday, December 7th | 6 PM – 9 PM Saturday, December 8th | 3 PM – 9 PM Sunday, December 9th | 12M – 4 PM Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield Park, National Park

Take a candlelit tour of the Whitall House at Red Bank Battlefield Park! Guests can enjoy the sights and sounds of the colonial period during the holiday season. For more information, call (856) 853-5120.

7. Woodstown Candlelight Tour Friday, December 7th | 6 PM – 10 PM Historic Downtown Woodstown Plan a visit to historic Woodstown for the 42nd Annual Woodstown Candlelight Tour. This charming village predates the Revolutionary War and is home to a number of Victorian residences and other structures. Get into the holiday spirit by spending the evening touring seasonally decorated homes, businesses, and churches! Visitors are also encouraged to shop at local merchants or at the annual craft fair located in Borough Hall. There will be carolers, homemade cookies, wassail, and a variety of other musical entertainments. Proceeds benefit the Pilesgrove-Woodstown Historical Society.

8. 45th Annual Christmas House Tour Saturday, December 8th | 2PM – 7PM Downtown Mullica Hill

You have driven past the beautiful historic houses of Mullica Hill many times and now you can see them from the inside during the 45th Annual Christmas House Tour! Local residents go all out to decorate their houses for the holidays and open their doors for your enjoyment, Tickets can be purchased prior to the event or the day of the tour. For more information, please contact Hazel at (856) 223-5440.

9. 50th Annual Christmas in Greenwich Holiday House Tour Sunday, December 9th | 12 PM – 5 PM Cumberland County Historical Society, Greenwich

Celebrate the holiday season in Greenwich on the Cohansey River with an afternoon of festive activities that are sure to fill your heart with Christmas warmth. As you begin your wintry afternoon at the authentically decorated 1730 Gibbon House, the wafting aroma of complete hearthside Christmas fare and gingerbread cookies will tickle your senses. Tour through the town’s well-manicured historic homes, buildings, and churches that will be decked in their Christmas finery. All the museums will be open during the afternoon as well. As you stroll along your self-guided tour, children will be able to visit Santa in his workshop and drop off their “wish list” letters. You will be able to warm your belly with delicious lunch, snacks, and baked goods available at several locations throughout the tour.

10. Haddonfield Holiday House Tour Thursday, December 13th | 10 AM – 4 PM & 5 PM – 9 PM Downtown Haddonfield

Don’t miss Haddonfield’s Annual Holiday House Tour presented by Interfaith Caregivers! Each of the six Haddonfield homes and Christ the King Church will be festively decorated for the holidays for all to see. Guests will see a unique mix of Colonial, Victorian, Four-Square, and bungalow homes. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the event.

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Tour christmas decorated historic sites.

The Salem Federation of Women’s Clubs is sponsoring a tour of seven historic Salem sites, according to a press release.

The tour will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 2, and 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 3. Tickets for the tour are $20 each and can be purchased by cash or check during the tour at the Smucker Houser at 271 S. Broadway Ave. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased from the Salem Computer Center, A Touch of Gracious Living, Ricky’s English Pub, Nature and Nurture, Christmas Trim a Tree Wonderland, and Consign and Design in Poland. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Smucker House’s maintenance and renovation projects. During the tour, coats will also be collected for the Blue Coats for distribution to veterans and unhoused individuals in need.

The release noted that this year’s tour features sites built from 1863 to as recently as 2018, all of which will be decorated for the holiday season and feature unique architectural elements.

Chris and Eva Davis’ home located at 1175 S. Lincoln Ave. was built in 1863 and was one of the first brownstones in the area providing an example of a Gothic Revival country house. Since its construction the historic residence has greeted visitors entering Salem’s north side and is currently “wrapping up a total restoration and modernization.”

William and Susan Barlow’s home located at 914 Franklin Ave. was built in 1895 and has been featured on HGTV’s “If These Walls Could Talk.” A Dutch Colonial Revival, the nearly 5,000-square-foot home features 18 rooms and six fireplaces.

Bruce and Teresa Cooper’s home at 28364 Winona Road is constructed in the Greek Revival style with southern architectural influences. The residence features crown molding in every room and millwork around the fireplace, doors and all 40 windows.

The First United Methodist Church at 244 S. Broadway Ave. was first built in 1910 in a Romanesque style, and prominently features “Akron Plan” architecture. Featuring wedge-shaped classrooms separated by doors which can be opened into one large common space for church-wide participation, the United Methodist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. The church also features a rare Wirsching pipe organ installed in 1910 that has been recently restored.

Ted and Diane Hawk’s home at 2654 Summers Drive in East Rochester was built in the Queen Anna Victorian Style in 1898 by L.H. Sinclair of Hanover, now Hanoverton, for John Aspey Summers and his wife Emma. Purchased by the Hawk family in 1951, the nearly 3,700-square-foot home has 10 rooms and the original woodwork can still be seen throughout the home.

The Salem Friends Meeting House, also known as the Sixth Street Meeting House, or the Wilbur Friends Meeting House located at 350 E. Sixth St., was built in 1872, constructed of brick as opposed to the typical wood construction for meeting houses. The broad outer porch still features its original pillars which show wear marks where horses were tied while their owners’ attended services. Featuring high 18-foot ceilings and a large rectangular floor plan measuring approximately 45 feet by 68 feet, the entrance features two sets of double doors, one of which would have been used by men while the other was used by women and children. The building still features a movable dividing wall that would have separated the men’s and women’s services. The property also features a small white frame building called the Salem Meeting School House that was added in 1897 and remains in its original location to this day.

The Episcopal Church of Our Savior located at 870 E. State St. was dedicated and completed in 1889, and made possible through the support of parish member and iconic Salem industrialist William H. Mullins. Constructed of Pennsylvania brownstone, the church is noted for its Tiffany stained glass and rare Wirsching organ.

Participants may begin and end their tour at any location and visit the homes in any order.

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Idea House 2023: Step Inside Our Tennessee Country Home

For the 2023 Southern Living Idea House, we followed winding roads to rural Tennessee, where we built a family farmhouse that embraces life in the slow lane

The Tennessee countryside is musical. The land rolls here, dipping into tree-spangled valleys then cresting into grassy knolls that stretch toward the sky. But unlike the rollicking melodies of nearby Nashville, about 30 miles northeast, the rhythms of the Leipers Fork area are a bit more relaxed, with honky-tonk tunes and neon lights taking a back seat to birdsong and starry skies. In other words, it was a pitch-perfect choice for the site of our 2023 Idea House —a reimagined farmhouse that honors its surroundings and encourages gracious hospitality.

We assembled a talented crew from across the region to bring our country-place dreams to life: interior designer Laura Hodges of Laura Hodges Studio i n Catonsville, Maryland; residential designers Bill Holloway and Luke Sippel of Lake + Land Studio in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; builders Mary and Patrick Hatcliff of Hatcliff Construction in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and landscape designer Butch Hamby of Southern Creations Landscaping , which is also based in Murfreesboro. 

“It was very natural for me to be inspired by the landscape when I considered the color palette, textures, and general energy of the house,” notes Laura. “We always aim for sustainability in our design plans, so we picked out materials that made sense for the property.” The footprint of the structure also takes its cues from the 67 acres surrounding it, with a main house that unfolds along the hilltop plus a garden folly and a multipurpose barn that snugly flank the pool and open-air entertaining space out back. “We thought it should be a home that looked like it had been there for a while, something that seemed settled and original,” says Bill. “We wanted it to appear as if the grounds had developed around the house, instead of the other way around,” adds Luke. Through architecture that prioritizes livability and interiors that feel harmonious with the land, our team crafted a bucolic retreat that is mindfully rooted in its environment and also intentionally designed for the future.

Listen to the Land

Lake + Land Studio selected James Hardie® Hardie Plank Lap Siding and custom cut limestone from Alabama Stone, a division of Vetter Stone, for old-house character. “We tried to create layers of history to tell a story about how this farmhouse could have evolved on the site,” says residential designer Bill Holloway.

Laurey W. Glenn; Stylist: Matthew Gleason

Set the Scene

“I love that you’re greeted immediately by natural materials,” says Laura, who chose Summer Classics Santa Barbara Teak Lounge chairs for the front porch. “This space lets guests know what to anticipate inside,” she adds.

Balance the Scale

The expansive great room has high vaulted ceilings, so to make it feel more intimate, Laura designed two smaller gathering spaces within it for lounging and dining. “Your eye goes straight outside, as we have Marvin’s Ultimate Multi-Slide Door across the back,” says Laura, who filled the living room with textures and colors that are reminiscent of changing leaves. (All interior paint colors, including Whitetail (SW 7103) in the living and dining rooms, are Sherwin-Williams Emerald Designer Edition.) Vintage pieces have their perks, says the designer, who grounded the living room with a hand-knotted find from Nashville Rug Gallery. “It’s likely made better than a lot of the ones you’d buy new,” she notes. “If it’s been around for this long, you’re not going to ruin it.”

Prioritize Pieces Made in the U.S.A.

The dining room is rooted in Earth-conscious choices, says Laura. “We have vintage chairs reupholstered with fabric from Kravet’s Recycled Content collection (which is made from plastic bottles) and a table handcrafted in Pennsylvania using American oak.” She worked with Grothouse to design the custom table, pulling elements from both Georgian silhouettes and West African furniture.

Carve Out a Focal Point

Rather than diverting the eye from the stovetop, Laura treated the Monogram Luxury Appliances 48-inch range as the kitchen’s main event, framing it with an arched plaster hood that extends the length of the oven and the neighboring white oak built-ins. She designed the cabinetry with Unique Kitchens and Baths (nearby Tennessee maker Henry's Cabinets specially fabricated them for our Idea House, but readers may purchase directly from Unique Kitchens and Baths). Billie Concrete Pendants in Large from Regina Andrew shed light on the ebonized oak island, where rattan-wrapped stools support easy entertaining. The designer selected Imperial Danby marble for the countertops and backsplash. “It’s sourced out of Vermont, so it’s not traveling from overseas,” says Laura. “It’s surprisingly easy to live with. I think people are afraid of staining it, but marble lasts and lasts.”

Design the Breakfast Nook for All Hours

In a space off the kitchen, Laura translated the connection to the outdoors more literally, commissioning Lenehan Studios to cover the walls in a softened version of the natural landscape. An English pine table from Chairish, a pair of 1960s bentwood chairs, and banquette seating dial up the coziness. “In the evening, this space feels loungy,” notes the designer. “There are beautiful views of the sunset through these windows.” The breakfast nook’s trim, ceiling, and cabinetry are all painted in Sherwin-Williams’ Meander (SW 9522).

Elevate the Everyday

Board-and-batten walls, bardiglio-and-white Carrara marble floors, and a table from Jayne Thompson Antiques reflect the team’s thoughtful design approach to hardworking spaces. “The mudroom is like a handshake,” says Bill. “It’s where you leave when you’re going to work and school, and it’s the spot that lets you know you’ve arrived home.” The same ethos was applied to the laundry room, where they installed GE appliances and wooden countertops crafted by Grothouse. The space plays double duty, as it's well equipped to serve pets, from the pretty storage for Pedigree® Dog Food to the convenient tiled dog-washing station.

Use Your Imagination in Utilitarian Places

Swathed in Sherwin-Williams’ Forged Steel (SW 9565), the catchall pantry feels like a mini escape, thanks to its well-considered details, like open shelving punctuated by metal uprights from Brass Hardware and inset brass screens, which provide vented vegetable storage. The oil cruets are from Domain, Laura’s home-goods shop. She also outfitted the space with glass food storage. “Decanting items into glass containers allows you to purchase in bulk and helps avoid so much plastic,” she says of the pantry storage. “You don’t have to take on a sustainable lifestyle all the time, but this is a small step to be more intentional.” The design of the butler's pantry is similarly thoughtful in its design: With the side-by-side sommelier fridges and soapstone countertops, it’s ideal for happy hour, which calls for a glass of wine paired with some Kerrygold cheese.

Build In Room To Play

“This area is meant to be lighthearted for kids, but it could easily transition into a guest room,” says Laura about her approach to the twin bedroom upstairs. To maximize the square footage, the designer focused on built-in pieces, from the beds (with drawers below for storage) to the desks and shelves. The headboards, upholstered in Thibaut’s Club Velvet and hung from brass rails, extend around the walls. “It creates little daybeds,” says Laura, who covered cork in Thibaut’s Vario fabric in Cashmere so the kids could pin up artwork and mementos.

Connect the Dots

“There were spots on-site that we wanted to celebrate [through the architecture],” notes Bill. This is true of the northeast-facing upstairs bedroom, where Laura highlighted the sweeping backyard view and provided an option for blocking the morning sun with window treatments in Thibaut’s wool-blend Ravello in Charcoal. She worked with Alabama furniture maker Reid Classics to design the modern four-poster bed, which features leather detailing up top as a nod to the decor on the main floor.

Stick the Landing

“The second-story den may be a pass-through space, but I still wanted it to feel rewarding,” says Laura, who added a bench from Jayne Thompson Antiques, a vintage find from Nashville Rug Gallery, and artwork by Carey Haynes (via the Nashville Artist Collective).

Get in the Mood for Entertaining

“Each room feels like it has its own identity and character,” says Luke. You can consider the elegant basement the home’s resident night owl, with its moodier hues and sumptuous textures. “This is a party house,” says Bill. “It’s a great place to gather family and friends.” To emphasize the hospitable vibes downstairs, Laura designed custom bistro tables with Grothouse and surrounded them with mohair-upholstered stools from Lee Industries. She hung the Concorde Chandelier by Regina Andrew above the billiards table for a dose of drama. “It’s all very luxe feeling,” she notes.

Turn Up the Music

“The basement den was my indulgence into Nashville’s Music City vibe,” says Laura, who coated the walls in mossy green (Sherwin-Williams’ Nocturne, SW 9520) and added a wood-and-stone fireplace for coziness. “I wanted to foster a speakeasy sort of feel down here.” Tufted leather sofas by Lee Industries, chairs upholstered in cinnamon velvet, and a Steinway Baby Grand piano underscore the sultry atmosphere, while works by local artists (hung with Command Brand Canvas Picture Hangers) inject pops of color.

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Stylist: Matthew Gleason

Spin a Tranquil Cocoon

“There’s a lot of natural light but also an incredible feeling of warmth, like you’re being wrapped up in the architecture of the space,” says Luke of the primary suite. Laura followed the architecture’s lead, enveloping a niche in a caramel-colored velvet by Phillip Jeffries and dressing the bed in comforting layers from the Southern Living Collection Exclusively at Dillard’s. Regina Andrew’s sculptural La Dame Chandelier floats overhead. She also sourced a pair of antique nightstands from Chairish for the space. “We always start with vintage,” says the decorator. “It’s exciting to be able to have unique pieces that are special and well crafted, and it’s more sustainable because they aren’t newly made. In the adjacent primary bathroom, light-filtering curtains from City Shade Company offer some privacy and a Ferguson tub emphasizes the spalike atmosphere.

Energize the Home Office

Ceiling-high windows bookend this intermediary space between the great room and the primary bedroom, flooding the oak-paneled study with natural light. 

Make Outdoor Areas Extra Comfy

“Porches should be cozy, especially one like this that’s covered and has retractable Phantom Screens that come down,” says Laura, who furnished it with pieces from Summer Classics’ Havana collection. Chestnut-colored Zuri Premium Decking by Westlake Royal Building Products mirrors natural wood but is hardy enough to withstand any rainwater that manages to sneak past the porch’s exaggerated overhangs.

Create A Secret Garden

The elements are no match for this adorable potting shed, where a GE mini-split heating-and- cooling system maintains a consistent environment for plants year-round. “It’s got so much character,” says Mary. “It’s the perfect little spot. I love plants, and I could see myself going out every morning to see my little plant babies. I want one of everything! Lots of  orchids , lots of different kinds of ferns.” The folly also overlooks a culinary garden (designed by Sara Gasbarra of Verdura), which brings fresh ingredients and lively hues to the yard.

Laurey W. Glenn

Gather Around

Laura relied on Summer Classics’ Ashland Teak Adirondack chairs to provide spots to relax by the pool and the firepit. “I kept the seating style the same so you could bring them all together and have it feel intentional, not like a mishmash of furniture,” she notes. The grounds surrounding the pool, designed by Butch Hamby of Southern Creations Landscaping, feel equally deliberate, thanks to a well-curated mix of greenery and flowers from the Southern Living Plant Collection. “The house is beautiful from the front, but when you walk out the back doors and look at the views, you could stay there and not know the world is around you,” says Patrick.

Rethink the Barn

In keeping with the area’s agricultural roots, Lake + Land Studio envisioned a barn, outfitting it with James Hardie’s Hardie Plank, Hardie Panel, and Hardie Trim Batten Board with ColorPlus Technology finishes. While Clopay’s Avante garage doors allow easy entry for farm equipment, Laura reinterpreted the structure as a no-fuss venue for poolside entertaining. “I wanted it to be modular so it could be used for lots of occasions,” says the designer, who opted for a built-in kitchen and dining nook (shown below left).

Outfit A Space for Easy Entertaining

Inside the party barn, durable outdoor furniture allows for hanging around the table in wet bathing suits, and the kitchen has a Hearth Oven by Monogram Luxury Appliances, ideal for hosting pizza night at home.

Design Mini Escapes

In the gym on the main floor, plenty of windows, a whitewashed wood ceiling, and sustainably crafted equipment by Paragon Studio yield a pleasant area to exercise. “It’s the type of space you want to stay and use,” says Laura. Downstairs, a moody songwriters' room provides another in-house getaway. Portraits of musical legends take center stage in the recording studio, where instruments from Fanny’s House of Music help deliver inspiration and sound-absorbing sisal wallcoverings from Fibreworks prevent late-night jams from disturbing the peace.

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