The Pickering House

08/28/2026

Preservation update!

Thanks to our CPA grant, exterior paint work continues apace on Pickering House and its barn.

We'll post the gorgeous results once the work is finished, but wanted to share this invoice for similar exterior work on the house and barn from the year 1970. 😀

Many thanks to our archivist, Ana Swartz, for finding this at the opportune moment! It's a great reminder that a lot of work, time, and treasure (and talent!) go into the upkeep of an old house.

We're so grateful to the city and to our wonderful donors for your continued support and generosity ❤

08/25/2026

The Pickering barn is getting a new paint job, thanks to American Steeple & Tower Co., and funds from the city of Salem through a CPA (Community Preservation Act) grant.

We can’t wait to show you the “after” picture, and invite you in for an event!

08/24/2026

Come by and sign! 6-8pm at the house

Sign the Salem seal ballot initiative petition
Here are the dates Pickering will be open for sign-ups:
Monday 8/24 (yesterday) from 6-8pm.
Monday 8/31 from 6-8pm.
Tuesday 9/8 from 6-8pm.
Monday 9/14 from 6-8pm.

07/29/2026

Thank you all who came out to the barn last night to experience an evening of artists speaking on their Italian-American identity and experience. Special thanks to the Salem artists and authors: Joe Cultrera, Linda Dini Jenkins, Joanne Mattera, and Victoria Sirianni.

See filmmaker and artist Joe Cultrera collection of shorts "Salem Sketches" at Peabody Essex Museum's exhibit "Beyond the Broom" through August 2027.

Linda Dini Jenkins is a lifelong author of many books about her identity and experience as Italian in America, most recently "How Way Leads on to Way".

Joanne Mattera is an artist and writer, having exhibited her work around the world and that journey and art compiled in her book "Vita: Growing Up Italian, Coming Out, And Making a Life in Art"

Victoria Sirianni is a newly-published author of a book many years in the making "Il Viaggio: The Italian Immigration Journey to the United States"

More barn talks and events to come!

07/19/2026

Happy 281st birthday!

07/04/2026

Col. Pickering's observations introductory to reading the Declaration of Independence, at Salem, July 4, 1823:

"...concerning our then British Brethren 'to hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.' This sentiment you will hear near the close of the Declaration, which, as an eminent historical document, I am now to read; a sentiment which should never be forgotten; and the duties it enjoins should especially be borne in mind on every celebration of this anniversary; duties of which our national interests, our character as an enlightened people, mid our moral and religious obligations, alike require the observance."

We hope you all have a celebratory and reflective 4th!

Thanks to Christopher S. Davis for standing in as the 21st century Pickering!

07/02/2026

AND Dominick Pangallo, Salem's own Timothy Pickering served as the 5th postmaster general of the United States; born and raised just a few blocks away from the current Post Office at the Pickering House. One of the many legacies of this extraordinarily historic city. +

As part of America 250 and Salem 400+, today we celebrated the anniversary of the Post Office and the role the US Postal Service has played in connecting people and communities since the Second Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General in 1775.

Salem was home to one of the 62 original post offices in America, and in 1791 President Washington appointed Timothy Pickering of Salem as the fifth Postmaster General. We’re proud to center that important legacy as we reflect this year on all of the institutions that have shaped our country and our community over the centuries!

06/23/2026

Yes, we do tours! We have a few tours offered online, but if you don't see a date that would work, send us an email at [email protected]! We're always happy to accommodate.

https://www.pickeringfoundation.org/tours-events

06/13/2026

The House is open for Food at 400+ this weekend! Saturday (5/13) and Sunday (5/14) from 11-4 come take a look at the History of cooking and see our beautiful Pickering china on display in the old dining room with our c1724 Pickering-made dining room chairs. Also our rarely-open kitchen is open for this weekend only! Come see our Rumford Roaster; the cutting edge 19th century oven.