Essex Institute Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Essex Institute Historic District
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Crowninshield-Bentley House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Salem, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1727 |
| Architect | McIntire, Samuel |
| Architectural style | Renaissance, Italian Villa, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000147 |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1972 |
The Essex Institute Historic District is a special area in Salem, Massachusetts. It includes several old buildings that are important to the history of the Essex Institute. This institute was founded in 1848. Later, in 1992, it joined with another museum to become the Peabody Essex Museum.
This historic district helps us remember the past. It protects buildings that show how people lived and worked long ago.
Contents
Exploring the Historic District
The Essex Institute Historic District covers about 2 acres (0.8 hectares). It includes several unique buildings. Each one has its own story.
Key Buildings to Discover
- The Crowninshield–Bentley House: This house was built around 1727. It's a Georgian-style home. It was moved to its current spot in 1860.
- The Gardner–Pingree House: Built in 1804, this elegant house was designed by a famous Salem architect, Samuel McIntire. It is so important that it's recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
- The John Tucker Daland House: This house was built in 1851.
- The Phillips Library: Built in 1857, this was once the main building for the Essex Institute. It has very tall windows on its second floor.
- The John Ward House: This house faces Brown Street but is also part of the district. It is another National Historic Landmark.
- The Andrew Safford House: Built in 1819, this house was once considered the most expensive home in all of New England!
Gardens and Other Structures
Behind the Phillips Library, there's a lovely garden area. This garden holds two more historic structures:
- The Vaughan Doll House: This small, one-room building is from the late 1600s. It might have been a meeting place for Quakers.
- The Lyle-Tapley Shoe Shop: This building shows what a shoe shop might have looked like long ago.
These smaller buildings are near the John Ward House, which also looks out onto the garden.
The Library's New Chapter
The Daland House and the Phillips Library were once connected. They served as the main library and research center for the Peabody Essex Museum. However, in 2017, the museum decided to move its collection of historical documents. These documents, which are like old papers and records, were moved to a new location in Rowley, Massachusetts. The historic buildings that once held the library are now used for offices and meeting rooms.
Protecting Our History
The Essex Institute Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This list helps protect important historical sites across the country. All the buildings in this district were also included in the Salem Common Historic District in 1976. This means they are recognized as important parts of Salem's history.
