Hamilton Hall
A National Historic Landmark built in 1805, Hamilton Hall is a pristine example of Federal style architecture.
Chestnut Street in Salem is well known for its collection of historic homes, picturesque streets, and numerous works by architect Samuel McIntire. Perhaps the most notable is Hamilton Hall which has been used as a social space for over two centuries.
Constructed in 1805, Hamilton Hall is named after Alexander Hamilton, founding father and leader of the Federalist Party. The exterior brick is laid in a Flemish bond pattern and the first floor originally housed a retail space where vendors could sell various goods when gatherings were scheduled on the upper floors. The second floor contains a ballroom that features an unusual curved balcony and a sprung floor designed for dancing. The third floor has five large Palladian windows. Above each panel is a carving done by McIntire. Four have a swag design while another features an eagle and shield.
Throughout its history, many prominent individuals have been guests at Hamilton Hall including presidents John Quincy Adams, both Roosevelts, Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette, mathematician Nathaniel Bowditch, and Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story. It still functions as a gathering place today.
It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971 and is considered an excellent example of Federal-style architecture from the early 19th-century. It is open to the public and certainly worth a visit.
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