After the Concord house tour yesterday, I went to the North Shore today for the Salem Holiday House tour. This year it was centered in the neighborhood around Salem Common. I took this photo from the Common, and I like the way the iron fence partially blocks the view of the parked cars. Cars are such a nuisance when trying to photograph houses.
This splendid Federal Period house was built for the son of an Irish immigrant who had become one of the wealthiest merchants in Salem during the Age of Sail. It is now an assisted living facility for twenty-five fortunate elderly people. We toured the main floor, which retained many of its grand period features, while at the same time seeming very homelike for the residents.
