Christmas In Salem – Boughs & Blossoms – Joseph Kinsman House (Salem, MA)

Date Of Event: December 6, 2025

Location: 311 Essex St, Salem, MA (about 30 mins northeast of Boston, MA)

Universally Accessible: No

Cost: $40 ($50 if you buy ticket on day of tour)

Parking: There are several parking lots and garages and metered on street parking in Salem.

Summary: The Kinsman home has multiple Christmas trees, interesting art and decor and a lot of history!

Another home that I have walked past while marveling at its design is the Joseph Kinsman house. Some of the homes on this tour look like something you’d see in a movie. Wait until we get on to Chestnut St.

The Kinsman House has a long history of owners and changing locations. In 1850, Eliza Fiske sold her property which included her house on the corner of Essex and Summer Streets to John Kinsman, Superintendent of the Eastern Railroad, and his wife Nancy Fogg. The house, which was originally numbered 311 Essex St and later renumbered 309 after the Second Empire-style house was constructed, was demolished by the 1950s to make way for the expansion of Summer and North Streets (the streets adjacent to Essex St). Kinsman, after getting remarried to his second wife Martha Lord, sold his property to Caroline E and Joseph F. Dane, a shoe and leather dealer, on 1864, the lot already had two brick houses. Dane and his wife lived in 309 Essex St and rented out 311 Essex St to various tenants.

After their parents deaths in the early 1900s, the Dane children divided the property between the two buildings, selling 311 Essex St to Dr. George K. Blair, a renowned physician and surgeon in Salem. Madeline, his wife, lived at 311 Essex St until her death in 1983.

The tour guide for the home had some horns growing. He should have that looked at!

The entryway was decorated with some traditional Christmas decorations.

The spacious bedroom had a lot of character and pretty decor.

This painting of the house, done by a local artist, hung on the bedroom wall.

These colorful curtains were from high end decorators Cole & Son.

The decor on the fireplace mantle and table were emblematic of the aptly named “Boughs and Blossoms” tours. And, no, they are not decorated this way all year long! I did ask!

I’m always intrigued by the lighting fixtures at these historic homes.

The owner of the home is a connoisseur of whisky and other fine liquors. But, the tour guide assured us there was no liquor in this drink (wink, wink).

This so called “blessed buck” is indeed a real buck.

The home had various works of art and other types of decor around the home. I especially liked the painting in the middle. But, it is a house in Salem, So, of course, there was a skeleton and what appears to be a dragon in the group of paintings. This is what I like so much about these home tours. It’s interesting to see what they look like on the inside. And, it’s fun to see how different each of the home owners decorate.

There were quite a few trees in the home. One in the bedroom.

And in the kitchen.

And one outside

Some of the visitors dressed up for the event. These guys wore some festive headwear!

And these ladies wore their best hats! This is just another reason to love these tours! The people you meet are both interesting and fun to be around!