2024 Christmas In Salem Part 9 – Micah Wild House (Salem, MA)

Date Of Visit: December 7, 2024

Location: 4 Federal Court, Salem, MA

Located on 4 Federal, Court, the Mikah Wild House was built in 1804. The house is considered a classic example of the Federal style house with its gable end to the street. An interesting factoid as to why this house was built this way is that homes were built this way to avoid taxes. People were taxed by the street frontage of the house. And, since the side of the home was more narrow and smaller then the actual front of the home where the the front door is located, people paid less taxes. Duly noted. Although I’m sure that law has been updated by now.

Unfortunately, I did not take any photos of the side/front of the home. But, I was able to find this photo on redfin.com. as it will show the descriptions I will outline below.

The south facing facade of the home has five bays and a central entrance trimmed with flat pilasters and a semicircular fanlight above the door.

The builder of the house, Micah Wild, was a native of Braintree, MA, and a Revolutionary War veteran. He moved to Salem, MA, in 1790 and he acquired the land to build the house in 1802. In 1806, fellow Revolutionary veteran James Barr and he agreed to lay out a private way or court, 24 feet wide, extending from Federal Street to land belonging to James Ropes. Wild built the house on a parcel of land of that right-of-way. The Wild family did not live there very long. As they moved from Salem to Andover, MA, in 1810.

In 1815 Eben Dodge, a flour and grain merchant, and his wife Joanna acquired the house. Their son, Eben Dodge, Jr, was born in 1819. He would later go on to become a professor of religious studies and the fourth president of Madison College (now Colgate University).

The current owner acquired the house in 2022.

I was hesitant to go to this house because I didn’t want to go to Federal Court. But I took my chances.

While waiting to enter this home, I met this elf.

Brian is also know for dressing up as the witch “Borah” in Salem during Halloween.

A portrait of the home hung on the wall leading to the stairwell. Much like the rest of the house, the stairway was decorated for the holidays.

Stars, holly and even a Santa statue filled the home with holiday cheer!

Fun fact: the home was said to have been bought by Robert Parker of the “Parker Brothers” family.

There was also a Christmas tree and other assorted decorations.

I bet this closet could come in handy during the holidays!

My favorite part of the house was the free candy, of course. Mental note: Don’t put candy canes and chocolates in your pockets when you’re crouching down to take photographs.