Summer in Salem

Summer in Salem is the theme of our current contest. We are looking for unique images that convey your idea of what Salem has to offer in these good weather months. You have one week to shoot you pictures and get them to us.

The Rules:

1. Photographs must be taken within the City of Salem (Massachusetts).
2. Photographs must be shot during the time period of the contest (no using last years cool photo of that watermelon that looked like Manny Ramirez).
3. Photographs must be on theme (we love seeing pics of your hot girlfriend or cool car but if thats not the theme then it doesn’t get entered).
4. Photographs must be received no later than 11:59pm on Sunday August 3rd the deadline date (Eastern Standard Time).

The Low Down:

1. You have one week to shoot and submit your photo. Photos or a link to them may be emailed to contest@thesaleminsider.com
2. All photos will be assembled and displayed in a post. Photos will show the same size (i.e. 500 wide by x high) and may be clickable to view a larger image, just like many of our images on this blog are currently displayed.
3. Everyone gets to comment and vote on the photos they like best.
4. After five days of voting a winner will be announced and prize will be awarded.

The Prizes:

Because we had so many great entries last contest many local businesses stepped up to the plate to offer a great prize pack.

• 2 passes to Five Funny Females comedy show a $50 value given by Drinkwater productions
• $25 gift certificate to Spirits at 300 Derby
• 2 passes to DARQ a $10 value (this is a 21+ event if you are under 21 a prize substitute will be given)

If you are a business owner and want to donate a prize we still accepting them for the duration of the contest. In return we will post a link to your business in our sidebar for the duration of the contest (not to mention all the links in these posts which garnered well over 10,000 page views last contest), contact us for details.

The fine Print:

• Entries must be submitted by email to contest@thesaleminsider.com, with either your photo attached or a link to its url. You may submit one entry per contest.
• You must hold the copyright of the pictures you submit. Also, you allow us (TheSalemInsider.com) to post your image here on our site for the world to judge (just for the photo contest, we don’t want to use it for any other reasons).
• Employees of TheSalemInsider.com are not eligible, sorry guys.

The bold complementary colors in Howard Street Graveyard Buttercups by Daryl B. just eeeked out a win over the super cute A dogs view of Salem Common by Robin R.

A big thank you goes out to everyone who participated.  Since people seemed to enjoy this we will be hosting our next photo contest in July, with a new theme and more prizes.  Speaking of prizes, congratuations again to  Daryl B. for winning a $20 gift certificate to the Salem restaurant of  your choice.

Barnum Circus on Essex St. 1885

Each month (for at least the summer) we will be hosting a photo contest. Themes will be announced and you will have one week to shoot and submit your entry, then a winner will be picked by a jury of your peers.

This contests theme is: A Unique Perspective

Contest deadline Monday June 23rd.

I’m not going to explain in detail what the theme means because it’s all about your unique perspective, how you view Salem differently than others.

The Rules:

1. Photographs must be taken within the City of Salem (Massachusettes).
2. Photographs must be shot during the time period of the contest (no using last years cool photo of that watermelon that looked like Manny Ramirez).
3. Photographs must be on theme (we love seeing pics of your hot girlfriend or cool car but if thats not the theme then it doesn’t get entered).
4. Photographs must be received no later than 11:59pm on the deadline date (Eastern Standard Time).

The Low Down:

1. You have one week to shoot and submit your photo.
2. All photos will be assembled and displayed in a post. Photos will show the same size (i.e. 500 wide by x high) and may be clickable to view a larger image, just like most of our images on this blog are currently displayed.
3. Everyone gets to comment and vote on the photos they like best.
4. After three days of voting a winner will be announced and prize will be awarded.

The Prizes:

Prizes will consist of Salem business gift certificates. If you are a business owner and want to donate a prize we are happy to post a link to your business for the duration of the contest (thousands of potential page views), contact us for details.

If you won’t be in Salem to use your prize (for instance you came to town for a visit and won with your great picture of a pirate windsurfing) then we’ll hook you up with an amazon.com or itunes gift card.

The fine Print:

• Entries must be submitted by email to contest@thesaleminsider.com or as a reply to the contest post, with either your photo attached or a link to its url. You may submit up to three entries per contest.
• You must hold the copyright of the pictures you submit. Also, you allow us (TheSalemInsider.com) to post your image here on our site for the world to judge (just for the photo contest, we don’t want to use it for any other reasons).
• Employees of TheSalemInsider.com are not eligible, sorry guys.

© Snowriderguy

I was out and about this past weekend and took a few photos (which will be on our flickr page shortly) and it got me thinking.  Everybody who lives in or comes to Salem takes pictures here.  There’s probably a million pictures of the Friendship, Roger Contant statue, Witch Museum and the Old Burying Ground.  And that’s cool, those are the reasons many people come to  visit the Witch City.  But Salem Insiders know that  there is a lot more to Salem than just those things.

So this weekend I will announce a photo contest open to everyone tourists and residents alike.  Subject details and submission dates will follow and of course prizes will be awarded.

Gideon Tucker House
Once a single family home this was converted in the 1900′s to condos. I was pleased to see that much of the original feel of a McIntire home was still in this now modern condo. The beautiful fireplaces and great use of space made this an outstanding home. Turning what was probably an unused or underused area (walkway) into a dining nook added much charm to this elegant condo.

Gardner-Pingree House
Owned by the PEM, this house was a treat to tour because it has been restored to its original 1805 grandeur. With no lighting and no heat you were able to better understand how life may have been two hundred years ago. Too many hand carved items to list.

photographer and date unknown

The Emmerton House
Known as the Woman’s Friend Society, formed in 1876 to help girls and women in need, is a charitable organization still helping people (and still accepting donations and volunteers). When I walked in I instantly recognized the home, it is discussed at length in a few books I own. One of it’s most notable features are the two McIntire stair cases.

John Hodges House
There was just too much to take in at this home. One of the stand out features was the staircase with it’s hand carved spindles from the workshop of Mcintire. Three different spindles per step with the base being made of two spindles one set inside the center of the other each carved as opposing spirals.

White-Silsbee House
Once again I walked into a house I have never been in but knew like the back of my hand. Most of the photos I have seen of this home were taken in 1930 but all of the relevant features have been preserved. The parlor and sitting room oppose each other with fireplaces at either end, the rooms being sectioned by a three panel foldout door. Also of note the original stove. The dining room however was magnificent. With the original wood mantle being discarded in the Victorian era, a black marble mantle was put in it’s place. Vastly surpassing the fireplace was the original 18th century French wall paper depicting the four climate regions of the earth. Having been in many of the great homes in this country I can tell you this is a rare treasure, one which needs to be preserved. It simply is breathtaking.

Forrester-Peabody House/Bertram House
Known as the Home for Aged Men, this is another example of a historically relevant home being used for charitable purposes and keeping much of it’s architectural value. I was impressed with how warm and inviting the large rooms were. It gave you a sense of how the architect envisioned the usage of space. The most impressive feature of this home had to be the massive dining room. I wonder if it originally was used as a dining room or perhaps a ballroom. The dining room ceilings had to be at least 18 feet high (the guide did not know the height) with over 1 foot high crown moldings surrounding the room. Once again I was simply awestruck. It reminded me of the Red Room in the White House which has a ceiling height of 20 to 22 feet (depending on who you believe).

Pierce-Nichols House
McIntire’s first commission at the ripe old age of 24. There is a wealth of information about this home available. It is a must see for any student of the Federal period.

Benjamin Carpenter House
Unfortunately this is the only house on the tour where I felt someone dropped the ball. While the home was beautiful, the volunteers knew nothing about any of the rooms or the pieces in those rooms. Not to dwell on the negative, the library was both comfortable and livable while also being a fine showpiece.

Cottington-Smith Assembly House
Did I happen to mention it was bitterly cold this weekend? Thankfully this house which is used as a lecture hall and meeting place was set up to serve hot tea and coffee. George Washington once danced and dined here.

Cook-Oliver House
Some wonderful examples of McIntire’s woodcarvings, both on the exterior and interior of this home. The parlor features hand-cut chair rail and the quintessential McIntire wheat sheath mantle. The original crown molding was removed in 1902 (I believe) and sold to the Metropolitan Museum in New York. If you pay attention in this home you will notice quite a few examples of modern art, an interesting juxtaposition. This home was last opened 50 years ago for the 200th anniversary of McIntire.

Dodge-Shreve House
Again we find a strong oriental influence in this home. The dining room in addition to beautiful origami swans on the dinner settings was papered with Chinese tea paper, original to the home.

Johnathan Hodges House
The only house on Chestnut Street to be built by McIntire. The volunteers in this home did a great job of explaining many of the details of this home. I was amused by the story of Capt. Hodges near demise. The use of large antique mirrors made the already spacious rooms look even bigger.

sketch of floor plan by McIntire

Robinson-Little House
Standing out from other homes on the tour the first floor of this house was remodeled in the early 19oo’s. It features a rich mahogany interior, unique as it is not wood paneling but wood veneer laid out over stretched fabric with the cross molding pieces set atop the veneer. Also standing out from other homes on the tour, the McIntire fireplaces were not monochrome but had the relief painted “Wedgwood” blue on two of the fireplaces. A bonus feature for people on the tour, the owners had a few printed out sheets and old photos describing the history of the home and a few of the relevant pieces inside.

Hamilton Hall
This year the great space of Hamilton Hall was consumed by a Christmas fair. Luckily this building is open much of the year and available for private functions.

photo from this past summer’s walking tours

Loring-Emerton House
Another condo that just changes how you think about condos. The McIntire influence on this home is evident. Walking through the portico into the foyer you are greeted by a staircase featuring the same spindle work as the John Hodges house. Once in the home I was blown away by the domed bedroom ceiling, not to mention the seamless integration of a modern bathroom and kitchen into a classical interior. One of the best features had to be the one person seating/reading nook tucked in one of the rear rooms.

Final Thoughts

As is the case each year, I had a great time. I learned so much an was inspired by what I saw. A big thank you goes out to Historic Salem Inc., all the home owners who graciously opened their homes and all the volunteers that made the event a success.

I would love to know what you thought about this years house tour.