The Pickering House
When seeing Salem, start where it all began. The Pickering Foundation welcomes you to an extraordinary place!
It is not only Salem’s oldest House, but also America’s oldest Home: home to a single family for over three and a half centuries; home to carpenters, farmers, patriots, military leaders, deacons, diplomats, linguists, scientists, and statesmen. And as homes will, it changed with the times.
Built in 1660 by settler John Pickering — a carpenter form Coventry, England — and his wife Elizabeth, it was once just a two-room farmhouse on a vast plot of land that ran all the way down to the seaport on the North River, encompassing what is today Chestnut Street and the McIntire District.
Over the next 350 years, the succeeding John Pickerings and their wives added wings, gables, and Gothic peaks. They raised ceilings, extended the roofline, and created the distinctive fence, to evolve into the warm and gracious home it is today.
You are cordinally invited to come and see a piece of Salem history that is very much alive!
Upcoming Events
Back by Popular Demand! Ancient Ways
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Some “Ancient Way” Explorations: West & South of the Pickering House in 2019, the Nanepashemet 400th Memorial Year You asked for it: John Goff will provide a virtual tour of Salem’s Broad Street, proceeding south and west from the 1660 Pickering House. It will follow one of Salem’s “Ancient Ways” to access trails and sites in the Salem […]
3:00 pm at Pickering House: 18 Broad Street, Salem
$ 10 members, $15 non-members
Picker-nik with Mark Pattison & Skafos!
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Mark and his friends Sandy Theodorou and George Glynos will play a mixture of Mediterranean and Americana music on traditional instruments including tzoura, baghlama, guitar, accordion, and doumbek. You won’t want to miss it!
Bring a chair or blanket, something to eat and drink, and come on over for a casual concert on the lawn. There’s a $5 contribution and you can register and pay below or bring it with you the day of.
5:00 pm at Pickering House: 18 Broad Street, Salem
$5