Salem’s maritime heritage is embodied in a well-preserved 1768 Georgian-style home built by Captain Edward Allen, a seafarer whose residence stands near Pickering Wharf, the site of the nation’s first maritime history national park, established in 1938. The home, located just a few minutes from Salem’s historic waterfront, offers a tangible connection to the city’s significant role in Atlantic trade during the colonial era.
Originally constructed as a single-family dwelling, the structure has since been divided into four units, with Unit D spanning portions of the second and third floors. According to assessments by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the building has undergone minimal cosmetic alterations over the centuries, maintaining many of its original architectural details.
Entering on the second floor, Unit D opens into a 196-square-foot living room featuring original King pine plank flooring, teal-painted walls, and one of four nonfunctional fireplaces. Structural beams, now enclosed, run across the ceiling, while two six-over-six double-hung windows with interior folding shutters provide natural light and a window seat. Adjacent is a 168-square-foot dining room with terracotta-colored walls, exposed beams, and a more expansive fireplace that historically served for cooking, accentuated by a raised-panel mantel and flanking storage cabinets. In a nod to the home’s historical narrative, murals depicting 18th-century rural scenes adorn three walls, painted by the mother of the current owner.
The kitchen, located toward the rear of the second floor, continues the terracotta wall treatment and includes modern conveniences such as black appliances, granite countertops, and floating-style cabinetry. Two corner windows enhance natural lighting, and the kitchen is equipped with a gas range and planked wood flooring. Next to the kitchen is a secondary bedroom measuring 120 square feet, featuring carpeting, built-in shelving, and a double-hung window. A compact 80-square-foot bathroom with a shower-tub combination and built-in shelving completes the floor.
The third floor houses the primary suite, covering 196 square feet and distinguished by thick, rough-hewn ceiling beams reminiscent of shipwright craftsmanship, reflecting Salem’s maritime past. This bedroom also has a fireplace and a double-door closet. Adjacent to the suite is a 144-square-foot office space with carpeting, a large skylight, exposed beams, and wood storage, serving as the chimney’s terminus. The attached bathroom includes white fixtures accented with blue trim.
Additional amenities of the unit include a full-size laundry closet with appliances and oil heat. Parking is available on-street through a city-issued permit. The property is currently listed by Patrick A. Sargent of Herrick Lutts Realty in Beverly.