Hamilton Hall

Hamilton Hall Federal-style National Historic Landmark in Salem, Massachusetts

💍 Weddings
🎶 Music and special events
🎙️ Lectures

“Celebrating History in the Present Tense”

Hamilton Hall in Salem is widely recognized as one of the most important Federal buildings in America. It was designed in 1805 by the famous architect and master woodcarver, Samuel McIntire, and has been in use as an assembly hall for cultural and social events for over two hundred years. In the 1800’s, Salem was a political hotbed with Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans constantly pitted ag

ainst one another. Each party was determined to have a meeting place, which led to the construction of Hamilton Hall by the Federalists. They were also the first Proprietors to oversee the new building. In its early days, Hamilton Hall hosted elaborate celebrations and banquets, honoring various local and visiting dignitaries, as well as dances. One of the first Assemblies held at Hamilton Hall was the somewhat controversial Christmas Week dance, a tradition that continues today. According to a popular story, Parson Hopkins, minister of the South church across the street from the Hall, could be seen pacing outside his church waving his arms and muttering, “back to back and breast to breast, they are dancing their souls to hell.”

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05/27/2026

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05/25/2026

Does this gentleman look familiar? If you're a fan of American Revolution stories then the answer is yes :)

This portrait of General Lafayette was given to the Hall by the French embassy in the twentieth century, in acknowledgement of the welcome he received at the Hall on August, 31, 1824.

John and Nancy Remond were the caterers of that event, when the last remaining Revolutionary War general was welcomed to Salem by a fine dinner at Hamilton Hall.

Today, Lafayette's portrait sits above the mantle in our Lafayette Room. A reenactor visited us on August 31, 2024 as part of the Lafayette200 celebration that the Friends of Lafayette presented, reenacting Lafayette's 1824 trip across the United States.

We at the Hall are excited that a new Lafayette Trail historical marker is now in Lafayette Park in Salem. The rain will be gone tomorrow, so you can head to the park tomorrow, May 26 at 1pm to see the dedication ceremony.

Have a good Memorial Day with family and friends!

The yoga forecast for tonight is good! Our third-floor Supper Room looks its best on a beautiful, sunny day like today. ...
05/18/2026

The yoga forecast for tonight is good! Our third-floor Supper Room looks its best on a beautiful, sunny day like today. ☀️

A few tickets are still available for Historic Hearts Yoga tonight from 6:30-7:45pm. We’d love for you to join us!
Please see the link below for tickets.

https://www.hamiltonhall.org/events

Enjoy a relaxing practice of movement and breath to welcome in a warm start to a new week. Please bring your own mat and any props you like. We’ll supply refreshing lemon water.

Our practice tonight benefits Plummer Youth Promise and Hamilton Hall. See you soon!

A great time was had by all yesterday afternoon at our Spring Americana Lecture.Speaker Bruce Kennett shared a delightfu...
05/18/2026

A great time was had by all yesterday afternoon at our Spring Americana Lecture.

Speaker Bruce Kennett shared a delightful presentation about famous printmaker and photographer Samuel Chamberlain.

Did you know that Chamberlain was also a prolific author? Several examples of his photo and illustration books are available at the Salem Public Library, and we'll share some of Bruce's favorites in an upcoming post and our email newsletter.

Subscribe to our email newsletter 🗞️ to stay up to date on all the happenings at the Hall and fun historical tidbits. Just click the "subscribe" button on our homepage.

https://www.hamiltonhall.org/





05/14/2026

Don’t miss the chance to hear Bruce Kennett this Sunday at 3pm present our Spring Americana Lecture!

A designer, photographer, writer, and teacher, Bruce has done work for L.L.Bean, Boston College Law, and the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Bruce will discuss and showcase the beautiful work of photographer and printmaker Samuel Chamberlain (1895-1975), including historical images of the North Shore… and Hamilton Hall!

As part of the event, we’ll be offering sets of Chamberlain postcards of the Hall for sale. 🏷️ Proceeds go to the preservation of our National Historic Landmark.

Come enjoy an interesting lecture followed by good conversation and tasty snacks in the ballroom!

Tickets still available at the link below:

https://www.hamiltonhall.org/events

05/12/2026

Join us for a fun yoga practice with teacher Rebecca Johnson to benefit Plummer Youth Promise and Hamilton Hall.

Whether you've loved yoga for years or have always wanted to try it, you are welcome!

Choose a spot underneath the sparkling chandelier, beside the fireplace, or alongside one of the tall windows in our third-floor Supper Room.

Breathe spaciousness into your body and mind as you move through a warming and relaxing flow of stretches and poses. Beginners are welcome!

Please bring: your own mat and any props you'd like. We will provide refreshing lemon water.

We invite you to connect with yourself and your neighbors and support two local nonprofits.

Tickets available: https://hamiltonhall.networkforgood.com/events/99743-historic-hearts-yoga-may-2026

Calling all local tour guides!We invite you to join us for Hamilton Hall's second annual Tour Guide Night.You'll get a t...
05/04/2026

Calling all local tour guides!

We invite you to join us for Hamilton Hall's second annual Tour Guide Night.

You'll get a tour of all three floors of our beautiful National Historic Landmark and hear a variety of stories across 220 years of history.

Admission is free, but registration is required. See the link below.

https://hamiltonhall.networkforgood.com/events/100189-annual-tour-guide-night-2026

Come enjoy taking a tour for a change and the company of other local guides as you learn more about Hamilton Hall's role in Salem's history.

See you soon!

Photo by Franco Cutietta

Look at the natural light we get in our third floor Supper Room! ☀️It’s the perfect spot for yoga 😊Our next Historic Hea...
04/20/2026

Look at the natural light we get in our third floor Supper Room! ☀️

It’s the perfect spot for yoga 😊

Our next Historic Hearts Yoga fundraiser is coming up on May 18 from 6:30-7:45pm 🧘‍♂️

Join us for a relaxing practice perfect for beginners and experienced practitioners alike!

All tickets sales benefit and Hamilton Hall.

Give to yourself some room to breathe and two local nonprofits some helpful funding. It’s a win-win!

Tickets available at the link below:

https://hamiltonhall.networkforgood.com/events/99743-historic-hearts-yoga-may-2026

04/13/2026

Wondering who took these beautiful photos?
It was multi-talented Samuel Chamberlain (1895-1975), who lived in Marblehead and captured the beauty and meaning of the North Shore through his photography, writing, and printmaking.

Join us May 17 at 3:00PM for our Spring Americana Lecture and learn all about Chamberlain, "visual poet of the North Shore."

Speaker Bruce Kennett is a designer of books and museum exhibits, a photographer, writer, and teacher.

Over the past four decades, he has lectured widely on topics related to printing history and the graphic arts. His biography of Hingham artist W. A. Dwiggins (2017, Letterform Archive) was widely praised by colleagues and the press.

Bruce's graphic design clients have included L.L. Bean and the Folger Shakespeare Library, and he has taught at the Art Institute of Boston, Northeastern University, and Rochester Institute of Technology. Bruce first discovered Chamberlain in the 1970s and has been continually inspired by him ever since; he is thrilled to be able to share with North Shore residents his passion and respect for this important artist.

Tickets 🎟️ available at the link below. See you soon!

https://hamiltonhall.networkforgood.com/events/98154-americana-lecture-samuel-chamberlain-visual-poet-of-the-northshore

Address

9 Chestnut Street
Salem, MA
01970

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 2pm
Tuesday 10am - 2pm
Wednesday 10am - 2pm
Thursday 10am - 2pm
Friday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+19787440805

Website

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