Custom House

Part of Salem Maritime Historic Site

Salem Custom House (1819) – the 13th Customs House in Salem; the first was built in 1649. Taxes were collected on imported cargoes.[10] Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote about the eagle on top of the Custom House in his novel The Scarlet Letter. The eagle was carved by woodcarver and cabinetmaker Joseph True. Other works of his are in the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem.

Photo custom1, July 2001

Custom House

Closeup of eagle

Photo custom-eagle, July 2001

Custom House

Photo 83, August 2003