Salem - The Village of Peace was first settled in 1761 and has many historic and architecturally beautiful homes and landmarks. A walking tour through the village can be taken with the assistance of a map identifying all of the important locations with an accompanying description of their historical significance. Maps are available, free of charge, at the railroad station,Town Clerk's Office or the Bancroft Library. All sites are within easy walking distance and are clearly marked. Over 50 sites are located on the map. A brief sampling of some of the things that you will see is given below.

AUDUBON-McCLELLAN HOUSE- Built ca. 1810. Occupied by daughter-in-law and grandchildren of ornithologist John J. Audubon (1880-1925). Federal style house has oval dining room and bedroom above it. Interesting fireplaces, mottoes on mantels as well as expansive lawns and gardens reaching to White Creek make it distinctive. Later owners have kept it beautifully unchanged.

PROUDFIT-SHERMAN-WILKINS HOUSE - first built in 1800, remodeled after 1840 fire, is a fine example of Greek Revival style with five fluted columns.

BLANCHARD-McCLELLAN HOUSE - one of the best examples in Washington County of Late Georgian period architecture. It was built 1790 by Revolutionary War General John Williams for his daughter, Maria. The right front parlor has delicate Adam style carved ornaments on the woodwork. A stone seat where unruly slaves were held is in the cellar.

GIBSON-LUNDGREN HOUSE - built in early 1800's in style of Federal period- once the residence of Dr. George Allen, later Judge James Gibson, and present Lundgren family.

ABBOTT-TULIP HOUSE - mid 1800's brick structure owned by local druggist until mid-1900's

FAIRCHILD-CORMIER HOUSE was built ca. 1840 following one of Salem's disastrous fires. Fairchild was a practicing attorney, president of Salem Village Corporation and trustee for Washington Academy. A fifteen room house with curved staircase opens from a large single marble stone doorstep. A courtyard behind the house has gardens, shrubs and flowering trees.

LANDMARKS
REVOLUTIONARY WAR CEMETERY - Over 100 identified Revolutionary War soldiers buried here. Oldest burial date is 1769.

UNION ENGINE HOUSE - built 1866 is still in use as a firehouse. An eagle weather vane crowns the cupola.

FORMER WASHINGTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE - built 1869 by plans of architect M.F. Cummings of Troy at a cost of $30,000. Conspicuous features of the building are: decorative brick work on facade, arches, semicircular stained glass windows and broad stairways with curved arch motif throughout court chambers.

REXLEIGH COVERED BRIDGE - Located approximately three miles from town on Rexleigh Road was built in 1874. The 107 ft. Howe Truss has cast iron bearing plates carrying the inscription, "R. Comins, Troy, NY". The bridge spans the Battenkill downstream from the marble mill at Rexleigh. Closed 1977, restored 1983 by Graton Associates of Ashland, NH.

SHIRT SHOP - Built in 1899 by John M. Williamson the site of the old grist mill and plaster mill was leased to the Manhattan Shirt Company. The Southwest wing built in 1837 was known as the Salem Steam Works.


EVERGREEN CEMETERY - Civil war monument and soldiers' burials. Monument to General David Allen Russell. Graves of Fitch, Williams and Audubon families.

CHURCHES
FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - built in 1797 is one of the oldest churches north of Albany. Church was founded by Dr. Thomas Clark , MD from Ballibay, Ireland. Salem was founded by 140 of Dr. Clark's imported congregation. Salem's first church was built in 1767.

METHODIST CHURCH - first wood-framed building on this site 1841, a second completed 1882 was destroyed by fire 1891; rebuilt 1892. Phillip Embury, first Methodist preacher in America lived in nearby Camden Valley near Eagleville, 1770.

NEW ENGLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - brick, was built in 1836. First house-of-worship built in 1774. During Revolution, building used as barracks and then as a fort. A stockade of logs was built around it . It was called White Creek Fort as marker indicates. Second frame building , facing Main Street, was built around 1783 with a high pulpit, sounding board, wide galleries and wide pews. 1836 fire destroyed it, but rebuilt. The present building, Greek Revival style, with New England meeting house steeple and belfry constructed after 1840 fire. Now privately owned, used as a summer theatre.

ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH - built in 1860. The church contains valuable Tracker organ Built in 1855 by E.&G. Hook of Boston.

HOLY CROSS CHURCH & RECTORY - A Catholic church built in Gothic style ca. 1889. A wooden building had been built in 1860. The brick church is the centerpiece of the neighborhood known as Irish Town. Irish came here after the potato famine in Ireland ca. 1840.

Return To Home Page