Salisbury Mansion, Worcester

Salisbury Mansion is the city's only historic house museum. This notable structure was built in 1772 as a dual-purpose house and store by Stephen Salisbury, a prominent "gentleman-merchant." Initially serving as both a residence and a place of business, the mansion's store operations ceased following the Embargo of 1812, and by 1820, the entire space previously used for commercial purposes had been converted into additional living quarters.

Over the centuries, Salisbury Mansion has undergone numerous transformations, reflecting its adaptability and the changing needs of its occupants. It has functioned as a rooming house and even a gentleman's club. Originally situated at Lincoln Square, the mansion was eventually relocated to its current site. Through meticulous research and extensive documentation, the mansion has been restored to its 1830s appearance, a period when it was the home of Elizabeth Tuckerman Salisbury, the widow of Stephen Salisbury.

The careful attention to detail in restoring the mansion provides visitors with an authentic glimpse into the life and times of its past inhabitants. The museum's comprehensive documentation includes original furnishings, period-appropriate decor, and detailed accounts of the Salisbury family's lifestyle, making it one of the best-documented historic house museums in New England.