Historic Salem, Inc., Salem, Massachusetts

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P.O. Box 865, Salem, MA 01970
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A Brief History of Historic Salem, Inc.
by Jim McAllister



ROOTS   (1944-1949)...

The Witch House

At the intersection of Essex and North Streets, beneath the long shadow of Gallows Hill, stands the Witch House, once the home of Witch Trial Judge, Jonathan Corwin. This 17th century structure, built after 1642, is one of the oldest in the city and is the only building still extant in Salem with actual connections to the 1692 Witchcraft Hysteria.

In early 1944, the future of the Witch House and the adjacent Cook House, the last Salem residence of the famous navigator,Nathaniel Bowditch, is uncertain in light of the planned widening of North and Essex Streets. On April 28, 1944, a group of concerned citizens meet in the Salem City Council Chamber to discuss ways to save these two historic homes. Chairman Warren Butler of the Salem Planning Board introduces Boston architect Gordon Robb, who unveils a sketch of the corner of Essex and North Streets as it would look if the buildings were relocated to allow for the widening of Essex Street. Mayor Edward Coffey proposes a 46-person Executive Committee, chaired by George Benson, to raise the funds needed to relocate and restore the two buildings. The majority of the committee members live in Salem; others are from Danvers, Peabody, Swampscott, Marblehead and Lexington.

The committee meets for the first time as the Incorporators of Historic Salem on June 3, and elects George Benson, president, Warren Butler, vice president, and city treasurer Arthur Brennan, treasurer and secretary. Also elected to the board of directors are Daniel Crowley, Jr., Frank Poor of Sylvania Electric Products, John Gray, E Elmer Eaton, George Parker of Parker Brothers Games, Judge Robert Hill, Harriet Rantoul, one of three women incorporators, James Brennan, James Young, Jr., and John Tudbury.

The Articles of Organization for HSI are submitted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on June 16. The stated purpose of the organization is "To preserve historic sites, Buildings and objects and to work for the education of the community in the true value of the same." The HSI charter is granted on September 11, 1944.

Fundraising activities for the restoration project kick off on November 15 with a dinner at the Hawthorne Hotel. During dinner, the attendees are treated to a skit about the accusation of Giles Corey of witchcraft in 1692, written by Warren Butler and directed by Charles Phelan. After dinner speakers include President George Benson, who notes the Witch and Bowditch House restoration effort is a cooperative venture with the City of Salem, and Mayor Coffey. Coffey tells the 100 people in attendance that a permanent corporation, i.e. Historic Salem, Inc., is the best way to achieve a quality restoration. Finance chairman, Daniel Crowley, estimates that $42,500 will be needed to complete the project.

Work on the Witch House begins in the winter of 1945 under the supervision of architect Gordon Robb and restoration consultant William Bogart. In a November, 1951, article in Yankee magazine, Bogart's daughter, Olive, remembers that the Witch House was moved in a sling, chimney and all, forty feet (actually 35) back from its original location on Essex Street, and that bones were found under the hearth of one of the fireplaces. The origins of the bones are never determined.

On March 6, 1945, the HSI Board votes to acquire the Cook house for $11,500. The structure is moved from Essex Street to its new location on North Street, directly behind the Witch House. By June, over half of the $42,500 has been raised through contributions from area businesses and residents. In January, 1946, HSI receives $13,302.20 from the Essex Institute. This donation grew out of fund established in 1935 by William Barker of Chestnut Street. Barker had previously tried to buy the Witch House, and, when unsuccessful, donated $10,000 to the Institute with the provision that it, plus any earned interest, be applied to the purchase or restoration of the building should it become available by 1945.

A Memorandum of Agreement between HSI and the City of Salem is signed on February 1, 1946. The agreement stipulates that HSI will move and restore the Witch House and buy and move the Cook(Bowditch) House. In return, the city's Board of Park Commissioners will maintain, insure, preserve, and protect the houses; operate the Witch House as a museum; and use the Bowditch house for park department offices until there is interest in developing the building as a Bowditch and Navigation museum.

Six weeks later, the Massachusetts Legislature passes Chapter 144 into law requiring all admission fees and sales from the Witch House go into a city account to pay for restoration, maintenance, and operation of historic buildings under the control of the park commissioners.

On January 23, 1948, the Board of Directors of HSI votes to authorize President George Benson to convey the deed for the two houses to the City of Salem. The Witch House officially opens for tours on Memorial Day weekend. Celia Curwen, widow of a descendent of Judge Corwin, is hired by HSI as the Witch House receptionist.

A new Board of Directors is elected at the annual meeting in May of 1949, but the lack of a new organizational focus leads to a decade of inactivity.



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