Now a major tourist attraction, this Gothic Revival building, adjacent to Salem Common was once home to the Second Unitarian Church. The church was built between 1844-1846 and was designed by New York architect Minard Lafever, well known for his Gothic Revival designs.
A fire destroyed much of the church’s interior in July of 1902, including its 19th century organ. Damage from the fire was still being repaired when in 1925, a decision was made to lower the height of the exterior towers.
In 1958, following a consolidation of local Unitarian churches, the building was listed for sale. The following year, The Salem Auto Museum and Americana Shops opened with a collection of art work, vintage cars, and a fabricated idyllic Salem street, complete with fourteen shops. A decade after opening, the interior of the museum was destroyed by another fire. Many of the museum's artifacts were lost, including an 1825 hand tub and 1925 Mercedes Benz.
After extensive remodeling of the building, the Salem Witch Museum opened in 1972. The museum advertised the use of “modern day technology” to “authentically re-create the emotions of 1692.” The museum continues its operation, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
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Digitized Archives
Salem Witch Museum
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