Gedney House
Explore the 'bones' of a 1665 Salem home, revealing centuries of architectural evolution and a link to the Witch Trials.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Tours are seasonal
Gedney House
Best Time
Tours are seasonal
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the 'bones' of a 1665 Salem home, revealing centuries of architectural evolution and a link to the Witch Trials.
"A real hidden gem offering a fascinating look at 17th-century construction and history."
🎟️ Book Ahead Online
Tours are infrequent and require advance online booking. Members get free entry!
🏛️ For Architecture Buffs
This unfurnished house showcases construction. Perfect for history & architecture lovers!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The 'Bones' of a 17th Century Home
Interior
See the exposed structure and evolution of a 1665 shipwright's house, revealing centuries of architectural changes.
Witch Trials Connection
Exterior/Context
Discover its link to Bartholomew Gedney, a judge during the infamous 1692 Salem Witch Trials.
Architectural Evolution
Interior
Understand how the house was built and modified over time, offering a unique glimpse into historical construction.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Know What to Expect
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎟️ Book Ahead Online
Tours are infrequent and require advance online booking. Members get free entry!
🏛️ For Architecture Buffs
This unfurnished house showcases construction. Perfect for history & architecture lovers!
📸 Photo Opportunities
Pictures are allowed, but focus on the structural details and historical elements.
📍 Hidden Gem Alert
A local resident called it a 'real hidden gem' and was surprised to find it.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Book Ahead Online
Tours are infrequent and require advance online booking. Members get free entry!
🏛️ For Architecture Buffs
This unfurnished house showcases construction. Perfect for history & architecture lovers!
📸 Photo Opportunities
Pictures are allowed, but focus on the structural details and historical elements.
📍 Hidden Gem Alert
A local resident called it a 'real hidden gem' and was surprised to find it.
👨👩👧 Private Tours Possible
One visitor enjoyed a fascinating private tour with a guide named Tom.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Gedney House for its unique architectural insights and historical significance, especially its connection to the Salem Witch Trials. While unfurnished, it offers a deep dive into construction for history and architecture enthusiasts. Some find the focus niche, but many appreciate it as a hidden gem.
"I visited this house with a pair of friends back in October as their real life "Local Guide", helping them navigate the busy city. I wanted to give them an authentic look at life in the late 17th century, and this is the best place to do it. It's a great stop for anyone who enjoys First Period housing and the early colonial period, or if you have a general interest in architecture."
Abigail Epplett
"I'm a Salem resident and I am on a mission to tour all the local attractions AND historic sites.
About this one:
The Gedney House is a historic property from Historic New England located in the heart of Salem.
Members tour for free, otherwise there is an online ticket to reserve in advance. Tours of this property are not frequently run, I believe it can be visited once per month from late spring to begin of fall.
It is a unique property as it is not only unfurnished inside, but the inside walls and ceilings etc are torn apart, since I believe it was in the process to be torn down when they realized its historical relevance.
It was built in 1665 for shipwright Eleazer Gedney. If you are familiar with the Salem Witch Trials, his last name would sound familiar, and he was indeed the brother of Salem Witch Trials' judge Bartholomew Gedney.
All tours run by Historic New England are extremely informative and this one is no exception. This specific tour is focused on the construction aspects of the house, as you could literally see the "bones" of the property, and how the house changed through the years. Tour lasts about 45 minutes.
PROs
This is one of the oldest properties in Salem and an important piece of its history. Tour is extremely informative, especially if you are an architecture enthusiastic.
CONs
The 4 stars - not 5 - are not a comment on the quality of the tour, which was of course great. But my rating is intended to convey the idea that this tour, I believe, may not be of interest to, well, a lot of people. Given the fact that the property is in its bare bones and the focus is on construction aspects, this tour is mostly for the history and/or architecture buffs.
Pictures are allowed but there is not much to photograph 😊"
Valentina O.
"Can't get over how few reviews this has. I get that it has a limited audience, but I think anyone with interest in history would enjoy the experience.
The tour said it would be 45 minutes and finished in around 30-35. Both of the staff were cheerful, informative, and helpful. It's off the beaten path and had zero wait even on the second to last Sunday in October.
I cannot believe I live here and didn't know it was here. A real hidden gem. (And free to Salem residents!)"
Michael Englehardt
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Gedney House is located in the heart of Salem, MA. While specific public transport details aren't widely shared, it's easily accessible by car and is a walkable distance from other downtown Salem attractions. Parking availability may vary, especially during busy seasons.
Information on accessibility for Gedney House is limited. Given its historic nature and focus on exposed structure, it's advisable to contact Historic New England directly for specific accessibility details before your visit.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Members of Historic New England tour for free. For non-members, an online ticket reservation is required in advance. Pricing details are best confirmed on the Historic New England website.
Tours at Gedney House are not run frequently. They typically occur once per month from late spring to the beginning of fall. It's crucial to check the Historic New England schedule and book your tickets well in advance.
Yes, advance online ticket reservation is essential for visiting Gedney House, especially for non-members. Due to limited tour availability, booking ahead ensures your spot.
Tours are the primary way to experience Gedney House. The focus is on guided interpretation of its historical construction and evolution, so visiting without a tour is generally not an option.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The tour focuses on the construction and architectural evolution of the house, built in 1665. It's unfurnished, allowing you to see the 'bones' of the property and how it changed over the years. Tours are highly informative, especially for architecture enthusiasts.
No, Gedney House is unfurnished. The tour emphasizes its historical construction and structural details, offering a unique perspective on early American architecture rather than period furnishings.
The Gedney House tour is typically around 45 minutes, though some visitors have noted it can finish a bit sooner, around 30-35 minutes.
Yes, pictures are allowed inside Gedney House. However, since the house is unfurnished, the focus for photography will be on the architectural details and structural elements.
While children can visit, the tour's focus on architecture and construction might be more engaging for older children or those with a specific interest in history and building. One visitor's 12-year-old daughter found it fascinating.
📸 📸 Photography
Focus on the exposed structural elements, the 'bones' of the house, and the visible layers of construction that reveal its history. The unique architectural details and how the house evolved over time offer great photographic opportunities.
Photography is generally permitted inside Gedney House. However, it's always a good idea to be mindful of other visitors and the tour guide. The focus is on architectural details rather than staged shots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While it might not have interactive exhibits, the guides are often engaging and can tailor explanations for younger audiences. Consider it an opportunity for a more hands-on visual learning experience about the past. It's a good alternative to more crowded, typical tourist spots, offering a quieter, more focused historical immersion.
🏛️ Architecture & History Buffs
The tours are highly informative, focusing on the 'bones' of the house and its historical context, including its connection to the Salem Witch Trials through Judge Bartholomew Gedney. It’s a chance to see history literally etched into the structure of a building. Don't miss this if you appreciate the how behind historic preservation and construction.
🚶♀️ Day-Trippers to Salem
Remember that tours are limited and require advance booking, so plan accordingly. It's a great way to add depth to your Salem experience, providing a tangible connection to the town's earliest days and its architectural heritage.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Architectural Significance of Gedney House
This approach makes Gedney House particularly valuable for architecture enthusiasts and history buffs. You can literally see the layers of time, from the original 17th-century timbers to later additions and alterations. The guides are knowledgeable about period architecture and history, making the exploration of these structural details engaging and informative. It’s a chance to understand the craftsmanship and ingenuity of early American builders.
While it might not appeal to everyone due to its lack of furnishings, for those interested in the how and why of historic buildings, Gedney House is a treasure. It provides a rare, unfiltered look at the physical history of a structure, offering insights that a furnished house might obscure. The experience is about appreciating the building itself as a historical artifact.
Gedney House and the Salem Witch Trials
Understanding this connection adds another layer of historical depth to a visit. While the tour's primary focus is architectural, the guides often weave in historical context, including the social and familial networks of the time. This allows visitors to appreciate how everyday structures and the people who inhabited them were intertwined with the major events that shaped colonial Massachusetts.
For those interested in the social history of Salem, the Gedney House offers a glimpse into the lives of individuals who were part of the community during the witch trials. It serves as a reminder that history is not just about grand events, but also about the ordinary lives and connections that existed within those extraordinary times.
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