Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Selected Interiors of Old Houses in Salem and Vicinity
The houses of New England built at this time re?ected the precedent to be found in the contemporaneous Georgian period of English architecture. The owners and builders were almost all from England and it was, therefore, but natural that when building their houses they should turn to their mother country for their inspiration.
Undoubtedly the most interesting development is that which took place in Salem and the surrounding towns. As Hallam once stated: No chapter in the history of national manners would illustrate so well, if duly executed, the progress of social life, as that dedicated to domestic architecture. It is interesting to see how clearly this relation between social and architectural life is shown by the early mansions of New England.
During the eighteenth century, Salem was one of the most prosperous towns in the colonies. It was the home of many sea captains at a time when shipping was the principal business. Its wharves were usually crowded with ships and its streets were traveled by foreign sailors and townsmen alike. The people lived in a cosmopolitan atmosphere and their life was in?uenced accord ingly. As usual, in the course of events, certain members of the community gradually acquired a social position somewhat above that of the average towns men and, in a human way, desired. To express this difference, at the same time affording themselves some of the more unusual comforts of life. The expression of this wealth and dignity is to be seen in the stately houses which they built, where the excellent workmanship and well considered design produced comfort able mansions of real distinction.
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