The Hawthorne Museum at The Gables

HONORING A LITERARY LEGEND

The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association is re-imagining the Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace as The Hawthorne Museum— the first museum dedicated to one of the greatest authors in American history.

The Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace was built in 1750 and occupied by Hawthorne’s immediate family from 1801-1808. Hawthorne lived in this house from his birth until his father died at sea when he was four. In 1958, the house was moved from nearby Union Street to its present location within our historic campus. Today it sits just across from the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, the house he made famous as The House of the Seven Gables.

The House of the Seven Gables is raising funds to transform the Hawthorne Birthplace into a museum that will inspire new generations of readers to discover this classic American author. The new exhibit will showcase original Hawthorne artifacts from our extensive collections, feature engaging multimedia experiences, and tell Hawthorne’s story from his birth to the height of his fame. We will explore how Hawthorne’s hometown of Salem influenced his work; how he helped shape modern literature, the American Gothic tradition, and the horror and sci-fiction genres; and how his themes still resonate today.

This museum will not only tell the story of the man who made The Gables famous, but the town that inspired him, and the people—his loved ones and literary peers—who made his work possible. We imagine becoming both a pilgrimage site for Hawthorne fans and a place where young readers are first exposed to this important American voice. To make this dream a reality, we need to raise $1.2 million. We invite you to join us in bringing The Hawthorne Museum to life.

Learn More About the Project