Date Of Visit: December 7, 2024

Location: 3 Carpenter St, Salem, MA

John Bertram, a wealthy merchant and philanthropist in Salem, built this house as an investment for his three daughters: Jennie, Annie and Clara. Upon his death in 1863, his own mansion was donated to the city of Salem. The building was donated as the future Salem Public Library. However, after the sisters showed interest in the home they inherited the house.

It is unlikely that Annie Webb ever lives on Carpenter St. Instead, Annie lived on Chestnut St with her husband, William G. Webb, and used the property on Carpenter St as a rental. Annie sold the house in 1920 to a long time tenant. A succession of owners occupied the house through the years before the current owners acquired it in 2011,

The Bertrams built the house in the Colonial Revival style, an architectural style popular in the 19th century which incorporated an eclectic mixture of stylistic details considered as representing aspects from several earlier historical styles. Ornamental elements typical of the Colonial Revival style used on the exterior of the house include dentilated and bolection moldings at the cornice and elaborate pediments over some of the first floor windows. The roof is an adaptation of the Mansard type popular in France about that time. The house is built in an L-shaped plan with the main entrance at the corner of the L where there is a single story porch.

Speaking of the porch, there was this cute pillow on a chair on the porch to the entrance of the house.

Inside the home there were more Christmas decorations.

This game looked like it would be fun to play!

Meet Belsnickel. A crotchety, fur clad, gift bringer, Belsnickel is a figure in the folklore of Palatanite region of southwestern Germany along the Rhine (think Dwight from the office in the Christmas special). In some traditions, he is said to reward the good children while punishing the bad children. So, you really better be good!

This statue seemed like a kinder Belsnickel.

The sunny living room area gave some light and warmth to the home despite the wintry weather outside.

Of course, I spent a little extra time in my two favorite rooms: the kitchen and dining room.

And, of course, what would a Christmas home tour be without not one, but two Christmas trees!

This concludes the 2024 Christmas In Salem Home Tours posts! I hope you all have enjoyed the Christmas In Salem home tours as much as I enjoyed posting about them!