Christmas In Salem 2023 Part 2 – The Henry Russell Jr House (Salem, MA)

Date Of Event: December 2, 2023 (event is held annually the first weekend of Dec)

Location: 6 Brown St, Salem, MA

Cost: Tickets for Christmas in Salem are available online at www.historicsalem.org at a cost of $40 for non-Historic Salem, Inc. members and $35 for HSI members.  Tickets purchased the day of the tour are $45.  Tour tickets including the Friday night candle-lit preview are $120 for non-HSI members and $100 for members of Historic Salem, Inc.  Christmas in Salem proceeds support the preservation mission of Historic Salem, Inc. 

Hours: Sat & Sun 10-4

Parking: there are several parking lots and metered street parking throughout the city.

Website: Christmas In Salem

Summary: The Christmas In Salem event consists of a tour of historic homes and buildings in Salem, MA. Each year, home owners and building management open their doors to visitors to get a glimpse into what these historic homes look like and what stories they may have.

Next on the Christmas In Salem is the Henry Russell Jr House. You may have passed by this house during your travels After all, because of its festive decor during the holidays and Halloween, it’s one of the more popular homes in Salem. In fact, one of the tour guides for this mentioned people will knock on the front door of this house and ask if it is a museum or library. It isn’t. So don’t bother them.

This building has a rich history. The brick Greek Revival house was originally built in 1844 fir Henry Russell and his family. It was built on land that was previously used for cordage factories or “rope walks.” Russell worked as a masonry contractor.

Like many of the houses and buildings in this tour, the unknown history is more interesting than the officially written history.

For instance, there is a historical factoid many people may not be aware of.

Above the fireplace, there is a photo of one of the ancestors of the current owners. The man served in the military and during his service he lost a leg. And here’s the kicker…it is said he stored the leg in the basement of this house, allegedly. Only in Salem.

From the unique fixtures to the beautiful Christmas tree, the house was tastefully decorated.

In keeping with the Christmas theme, there was an old edition of “A Christmas Carol” on one of the tables.

Although the house was renovated in the 1980s and 1990s, it still has a traditional feel to it. One of the things that stood out to was the stylish stairwell.

This home had not one but two Christmas trees.

There was a piano player in the living room giving the home a Christmas feel.

But, just as I was leaving the home, I realized the indoor decor was only a part of the holiday decor. In the backyard there was even more holiday decor.

Since this Christmas In Salem tour event took up a lot of time and effort, I will be posting more visits on this tour well past the holiday season and I may not post again until after the holidays. So, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season! And please join me on my next stop on this tour!