Narbonne House,

71 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970

"This building is owned and operated by the National Park Service through Salem Maritime National Historic Site. As one of the oldest extant buildings in Salem, it is considered a "witness house", having stood during the Salem Witch Trials in 1690. This house was only open by ranger led tour the last time I visited, but ample signage outside tells the full story."

"It was hidden but it was a cute building and behind the house it had some facts on plaques."

"I toured the Narbonne House as part of an organized tour led by a park ranger from the Salem Maritime National Historic Site (you can find tour info on their website). It was a very interesting and informative tour, filled with history about the house and its occupants. I've walked by it several times, and it was nice to be able to actually go inside and see the house. It's worth the time to take the free (yes, FREE!) ranger-led tour, which also visits the Derby House."

"Narbonne House. c. 1675. in the Historic Maritime District This tallest section of the structure is the initial home, & retains the original roof & chimney. One of the unique facts making this building so special is its history of nearly 300 years of continued occupation, 200 years of which are members of one family. The house is named for Sarah Narbonne. Owned by 3 other families previously, the house was actually built for a butcher named Thomas Ives. Sarah Narbonne was born in the house, & lived there her entire life, nearly a century. She was the granddaughter of John Andrews, who had purchased the property in 1780. Sarah lived in the home with her daughter, Mary. They were both seamstresses, & they also owned a cent shop in the northeast portion of the home. After Mary's death in 1905, the home was owned by Frank Hale's family, Mary's cousins, & eventually purchased by the National Park Service. Unlike the magnificent houses that grace Chestnut Street, the Narbonne house represents people of modest means. Residents of homes like these provided the backbone of Salem’s economy before, during & after her maritime shipping supremacy. Narbonne House is a contributing property to the Salem Maritime National Historic site, the first National Historic Site established in the United States."