2024 Christmas In Salem Part 12 – Sanderson Brothers Cabinetmaker Shop/Joseph Edwards House (Salem, MA)

Date Of Visit: December 7, 2024

Location: 115 Federal St, Salem, MA

As you may have noticed by the title, this home has a long history of not only being a business but also a lucrative business.

Two brothers, Jacob and Elijah Sanderson, both cabinetmakers, constructed a building on this site in 1793 to be used as a shop. Considered two of the most prominent cabinet makers, the brothers established a firm by the name of E & J Sanderson Co in 1799. The business was a cooperative business venture in which cabinet makers, carvers, gliders, turners, upholsterers and other craftsmen collaborated to produce furniture for local, regional and foreign export or wherever the cargo could be sold for profit. Renowned Salem carver Samuel McIntire supplied piecework to the firm. Following the deaths of two brothers, the property was acquired in 1814 by Joseph Edwards, housewright, who built the house that stands there today.

Joseph Edwards built the house in the Federal style with five bays and an enclosed entrance porch centered on the facade. Fluted pilasters mark the corners of the flat-roofed porch and partial sidelights flank the six panel door. Two pedimented dormers punctuate the roof slope. The house. oriented with the gable and toward the street, sits directly on the sidewalk. A three story angled wing extends behind the main block.

In the 1820s, the owner of the home, Thomas Cole, became proprietor of a school for girls in Salem, the Female School on Marlborough St (now Federal St). This school was said to elevate the learning standards for females to the same level of those that already applied to males.

Glyphs, cornicing, moldings and wainscoting are terms I were not aware of before I went on this tour. Yet, they were in abundance at the Edwards home.

In short, these terms are used to describe decorative designs, dots and other ornamental grooves and patterns. This is one of the great things about these tours. I always learn something new during each house tour.

I especially enjoyed the flowers (real or otherwise) and other colorful decor of the home.

Because of the size and dimensions of some of the rooms, many of the homes had their trees in a corner. I always liked having the tree in the middle of the room when I was a kid. That way, everyone could bump into it and knock it over. And, more importantly, there was more room to put presents under it.

People came to the tours dressed in their festive decor. These young ladies wore their favorite holiday headwear. Funny enough, I had photographed some of these very same people at last year’s tour! I hope to photograph you all again next year!

While the house tours may not officially be dog friendly, you may be able to carry your dog into the homes. Brooklynn, a 6 year old Morkie (Maltese Yorkie mix), had a fun time at the tour!