Salem Common Historic District (Salem, Massachusetts)

Joseph Story House

The Joseph Story House was built in 1811 for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story. The house is located at 26 Winter Street and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Andrew-Safford House

The Andrew–Safford House was built in 1819 and was designed in the Federal style by an unknown architect for a wealthy Russian fur merchant. It is located at 13 Washington Square and is owned by the Peabody Essex Museum.

When under construction it was reputed to have been the most expensive house erected in the United States at the time. The massive vertical façade and the four large columns rising from the ground to the third story on the south side makes this one of the most impressive houses in Salem.

In addition to being listed in this district, the house is also part of the Essex Institute Historic District.

Andrew worked with Samuel Archer III to create the first commercial block on the location of the Hawthorne Hotel that has been known as Wakefied Place, Andrew's Corner, and the Franklin Building.

John Bertram House

The John Bertram House was originally built for John Forrester in 1819. Forrester had married one of Joseph Story's sisters. Captain John Bertram purchased the Federal mansion from John Forrester and later sold it to Col. George Peabody.

Col. George Peabody lived in the mansion for about 60 years and while there he made the mansion larger by the addition of a one-story dining room.

Around 1930, the home was purchased by the estate of Captain John Bertram, and is now called the John Bertram House. It is currently a home for the elderly.

Salem as the Birthplace of the National Guard

In 1637, the first muster on Salem Common took place where for the first time, a regiment of militia (the East Regiment) drilled for the common defense of a multi-community area, thus laying the foundation for what became the Army National Guard. In 1714 Salem decided that forever in front of Nathaniel Higginson's House on the Common there shall be a training Field for the militia.

On August 19, 2010, the Governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, signed HB1145, "An Act Designating the City of Salem as the Birthplace of the National Guard." This is the first step and was later approved by the House in Washington in March 2012.

On January 10, 2013, President Barack Obama signed executive order HR1339 "which designates the City of Salem, Mass., as the birthplace of the U.S. National Guard."

Every year in April, the Second Corps of Cadets gather in front of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where the body of their founder, Stephen Abbott, is buried. They lay a wreath, play Taps and fire a 21-gun salute.

In another annual commemoration, soldiers gather at Old Salem Armory to honor soldiers who were killed in the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

On April 14, 2012, Salem celebrated the 375th anniversary of the first muster on Salem Common with over more than 1,000 troops taking part in ceremonies and a parade.

The Salem Common Improvement Fund

In 1802 Elias Hasket Derby Junior assumed command of the Second Corps of Cadets. He gave them the task of leveling the Common, taking down the 3 hills and filling in the 5 ponds and the river to the Cove, planting the trees, and erecting a wooden fence. A subscription of 159 people paid for this large public works project.

Gallery

File:Salem Witch Museum 1.jpg|Salem Witch Museum, 2015 File:Roger Connet Statue - Salem, MA.jpg|Roger Connet Statue, 2015 File:Hawthorne Hotel - Salem, MA.jpg|Hawthorne Hotel, 2015

References

References

1. {{NRISref. 2008a
2. "SCNA History". Salem Common Neighborhood Association.
3. "John Bertram House - SalWiki".
4. "John Bertram House - John Bertram House".
5. "The National Guard - Guard celebrates 373rd First Muster on Salem Common".
6. . (September 1904 – February 1905). ["Historic Salem"](https://books.google.com/books?id=DrZJAQAAMAAJ&q=higginson+forever+in+front+of+my+house+shall+be+a+training+field+for+militia&pg=PA518). *American Company Publishers*.
7. "Governor Patrick Designates Salem as Birthplace of National Guard - The Office of the Governor - Mass.Gov".
8. Roman, Jesse. (March 29, 2012). "National Guard bill passes muster with House".
9. "ArmedForces.com {{!}} Blog {{!}} Salem designated as National Guard birthplace".
10. (10 January 2013). "Statement by the Press Secretary on Bills Signed on January 10, 2013". [[whitehouse.gov]].
11. (April 14, 2012). "Muster's 375th anniversary today".