Halloween in Spring: a Series. Samuel McIntire, Salem's Architect

Portrait of Samuel McIntire, c. 1786, pastel portrait attributed to Benjamin Blyth (1746-1811) of Salem, Massachusetts. Courtesy of the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts.

NOTE: This series, "Halloween in the Spring," is based on the posts I wrote for my Halloween 2020 Take-Over of AHNCA's (Art Historians of Nineteenth Century Art) social media accounts. It's a jolly bit of writing and the inspiration for this blog. I've left the posts almost identical to the originals to preserve the rollicking tone; however, I've added links to the original sources, museum websites, or other information you, dear reader, might find interesting. Without further ado, it's time to celebrate Halloween in the springtime!

Since we’re already in Salem we might as well explore the town. As you know, Salem is known for the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692, but did you know that Salem is also known for its maritime history? After the Revolutionary War, Salem experienced immense prosperity thanks to shipping, ship building, and worldwide trade. All this resulted in the construction of many mercantile mansions and fine homes, some of which were built by Salem’s own carpenter-architect, Samuel McIntire (1752-1811).

Peirce-Nicholas House (1782)

 McIntire was a master carpenter, carver, and self-taught, "amateur" architect. His early plans, like those for his first commission, the Peirce-Nicholas House (1782), represent the transition from Georgian to Federalist architecture. The Gardner-Pingree House (1810) is demonstrative of a fully mature Federalist style, in which McIntire incorporated Adamesque Neoclassicism. This particular house was influenced by Charles Bulfinch’s 1st Harrison Gray Otis House in Boston. McIntire was hired by one of Salem’s most prosperous merchants, Elias Hasket Derby, to build a number of dwellings, including the Benjamin Hawkes House (1780, 1800). In addition to private dwellings, McIntire designed public halls and buildings like Hamilton Hall (1805).

Gardner-Pingree House (1810)

 What does this have to do with Halloween? Well, we’re in Salem! Salem takes Halloween quite seriously and the entire month of October is one, big Halloween Party called Haunted Happenings. Just being here this close to October 31 is spine-tingling!!!

Benjamin Hawkes House (1780, 1800)

For more information about the McIntire Historic District: https://www.pem.org/visit/historic-houses/mcintire-historic-district

Hamilton Hall (1805)

Portrait of Samuel McIntire, c. 1786, pastel portrait attributed to Benjamin Blyth (1746-1811) of Salem, Massachusetts. Courtesy of the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts.

Fletcher6, Pierce-Nicholas House; Stephen Phillips House; Hamilton Hall; . CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Daderot at en.wikipedia, Benjamin Hawkes House. CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18002975
Elizabeth B. Thomsen, GardnerPingree House. CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Halloween in Spring: a Series. The Architecture of Hocus Pocus in Salem, MA

Edward Balcomb Cottage. Priceypads. Retrieved from https://www.priceypads.com/1870-edward-p-balcomb-cottage-in-salem-massachusetts-photos/

NOTE: This series, "Halloween in the Spring," is based on the posts I wrote for my Halloween 2020 Take-Over of AHNCA's (Art Historians of Nineteenth Century Art) social media accounts. It's a jolly bit of writing and the inspiration for this blog. I've left the posts almost identical to the originals to preserve the rollicking tone; however, I've added links to the original sources, museum websites, or other information you, dear reader, might find interesting. Without further ado, it's time to celebrate Halloween in the springtime!

Who’s ready for a scary tale of three witches who suck the life from children in order to stay young and beautiful forever? Wait, that’s the film, Hocus Pocus (1993), starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the three witches! Did you know that the film not only takes place in Salem, MA, but parts of it were also filmed in Salem, MA? The director, Kenny Ortega, used locations around the city as a back drop for the story and prominently placed two of Salem’s 19th century architectural gems front and center.

Edward Balcomb Cottage. Priceypads. Retrieved from https://www.priceypads.com/1870-edward-p-balcomb-cottage-in-salem-massachusetts-photos/

The Edward Balcomb Cottage (c. 1870) is a wonderful example of Victorian eclecticism, with its French Beaux-Arts mansard roof with bell-cast profile and and an Italianate cupola. Located at 4 Ocean Avenue, this cottage is close to Salem Pioneer Village, which is also used in the movie. The Edward Balcomb Cottage is Max and Dani’s home in Hocus Pocus. Just a note for fans of the movie, the house is a private residence so please be considerate when you go to visit.

AlexiusHoratius, Old Town Hall. CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia CommonsOld Town Hall, The Salem Museum. Retrieved from http://www.thesalemmuseum.org/

Old Town Hall and Market House on 32 Derby Square was used for the Halloween party that Dani and Max’s parents attend in the movie. It was built in 1815 by the local builder Joshua Upham from plans by an unknown architect. Some scholars believe that Charles Bulfinch designed the building based on certain design details and the fact that he was active in the area at the time (Tolles, 86). The ground floor was used as a marketplace and the upper floors was a civic hall. Today, the building is used for an array of functions, including weddings and the play "Cry Innocence."

AlexiusHoratius, Old Town Hall. CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia CommonsOld Town Hall, The Salem Museum. Retrieved from http://www.thesalemmuseum.org/

Tolles, Jr., Bryant F. Architecture in Salem: An Illustrated Guide. Hanover and England: University Press of New England, 1983.
Edward Balcomb photos. Priceypads. Retrieved from https://www.priceypads.com/1870-edward-p-balcomb-cottage-in-salem-massachusetts-photos/
AlexiusHoratius, Old Town Hall. CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia CommonsOld Town Hall, The Salem Museum. Retrieved from http://www.thesalemmuseum.org/