Custom House was added to Your Favorites!
Salem, Massachusetts
Claim this place to tell your story your way.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, the renowned author of 'The Scarlet Letter,' worked at the Salem Custom House as a surveyor from 1846 to 1849.
The Custom House is designed in the Federal style, characterized by its symmetrical design and classic details, typical of the early 19th century.
The gilded wooden eagle perched on the roof was carved by Joseph True and is a symbol of the federal government's presence in Salem.
The Custom House was crucial in Salem's maritime trade, where customs duties were collected on imported goods during the 19th century.
It is part of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which was the first National Historic Site established in the United States in 1938.
The interior features a grand staircase and a large hall where customs officials once worked, reflecting the building's historical significance.
Today, it serves as a museum, offering insights into Salem's rich maritime history and the role of customs in early American trade.
