Counting House

The Counting House (c.1830) exemplifies the small structures that once lined Salem’s bustling waterfront during the Great Age of Sail. Ship captains and supercargoes—those responsible for cargo and its sale—conducted much of their business in buildings like this. Early photographs show the Counting House near the center of the site. Following the museum’s opening in 1910, the building was relocated and transformed into a tea room, before being moved again to its present spot along the waterfront.

Traditionally situated near active wharves, counting houses served as hubs for balancing accounts, paying fees, and calculating profits before or after sea voyages. Today, our Counting House is home to Kids Cove, an engaging exploration space for families and children.

These images may only be used for educational or personal purposes, unless receiving prior written permission from the House of the Seven Gables. The images are not high-resolution and represent only a fraction of the collection. If you need permission or a higher-resolution image please email the Marketing and Communications Manager. If you would like to arrange access to more of the collection, please email the Curator of Collections.