Christmas In Salem 2023 Part 4 – The William Roberts House (Salem, MA) (Updated)

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

Location: 41 Washington Square North, 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.

*I mistakenly posted photos from the fifth house on the tour originally. While the historical information was correct, the photos and commentary of the home are different. I have posted the correct photos in this post with my observations*

The fourth house on the Christmas In Salem tour is the William Roberts House on Washington Square North. This 4 family brick house was built by William Roberts, a mason, between 1825 and 1840. William Robert’s father, also named William Roberts, was lost at sea and his mother remarried John Osborn. Osborn is said to have taught the younger Roberts the stone masonry, plastering and brick-laying.

Roberts bought the land this house sits on in October, 1825, for the princely sum of $7,000. Well, princely for that time. Roberts then began building the house for his family (his wife and 7 children) on the westernmost part of the lot.

Because of financial hardship, Roberts had to assign his property to trustees. The house was eventually sold to Willard Brown who bought it in 1870.

This was one of the more interesting homes I photographed. From the entrance to the exit, which I will talk about more later, there were unusual decorations. For instance, this nutcracker. Look at its eyes! The eyes blink and the light of his pole changes colors.

One thing I’ve noticed as I post these houses is how much I truly do love Christmas and how Christmas and Salem seem like a perfect fit! I feel the magic of Christmas with each photo and I really have realized I should appreciate the season more. I’m already eager for Christmas in Salem 2024!

The interior of the house was tastefully decorated.

Dave Eng, who has been working in Salem for almost 50 years, decorated the home. And, after window shopping at his shop, quite literally, the decorations in the home are so Dave Eng. They are very tasteful and pretty.

I bumped into Dave while I was photographing Salem a week later. He was nice enough to pose in front of the window of his shop that he had decorated for the holidays.

After seeing the tastefully decorated living area, things took a turn. Some of the other decorations in the home were unique and certainly unexpected.

This tomb or coffin for instance. I’m not sure if there was anything in it and I don’t think I want to know!

OK, it’s just a tomb. But, then, as I looked at the wall, I noticed this. Yes, it’s nose lights up. I’m not sure what animal it was or as supposed to be. But, I hope it wasn’t Rudolph!

Not to be outdone, there was a visitor in the dining area. Meet Dolly (at least that’s what I think they called her)

There was also this mannequin all dressed up for the holidays!

This mannequin was just sitting on top of the fridge. Just hanging around.

The bedroom and kitchen were decorated more traditionally, relatively speaking.

And a keyboard player helped keep the Christmas spirit alive with some holiday tunes!