Hawkes House

Exterior of house, looking towards Derby Street.

Construction on this house, designed by famous Salem architect Samuel McIntire for Elias Hasket Derby, began in 1780. Derby, however, never completed the house, preferring instead to move to a house in the center of town. The unfinished building was purchased and completed around 1800 by Benjamin Hawkes, who owned a shipyard next to Derby Wharf.

The Hawkes House is a fine example of the large Federal style homes built throughout Salem in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These three-story tall, square buildings usually featured a beautifully carved and painted entrance and many windows to let light and air into the gracefully decorated rooms.

Today, the Hawkes House contains the administrative offices for Salem Maritime NHS. It is not open to the public.