Custom House, Salem

The Salem Custom House, a venerable institution with roots dating back to 1649, stands as an enduring testament to Salem's rich maritime history. This historical edifice, built in 1819, served as the focal point for collecting taxes on imported cargo during both the colonial era under British rule and the subsequent period following the establishment of the U.S. Customs Service in 1789. With its imposing architecture, the Custom House symbolized the enduring presence of the Federal Government in Salem and housed not only the offices of customs officers but also a warehouse known as the Public Stores, which played a pivotal role in safeguarding bonded and impounded cargo.

The architects tasked with designing the Salem Custom House understood the need for a structure that would assert the Federal Government's authority in the region. The resulting building boasts high ceilings, an elegant sweeping staircase, and exquisitely carved woodwork that collectively exude an aura of strength and stability. Throughout its use by the U.S. Customs Service into the 1930s, the Custom House accumulated furnishings that bear witness to the building's long and storied history.

In 1826, a wooden eagle took its perch atop the Custom House's roof, a symbol of national pride and prowess. Crafted by Salem artisan Joseph True, this iconic eagle adorned the building for nearly two centuries. In 2004, the original wooden eagle was carefully replaced with a fiberglass replica to preserve its legacy. Visitors to the Custom House today can witness the original wooden eagle on display within the building, a symbol of enduring tradition.

Among the many notable features of the Salem Custom House is the office of Nathaniel Hawthorne, the renowned American author. Hawthorne's three-year tenure in this historic building served as the catalyst for his masterpiece, "The Scarlet Letter." The Custom House contains exhibits that shed light on the tools of the Customs Service, the duties of customs inspectors, and the literary legacy of Nathaniel Hawthorne.