The House of Seven Gables | Salem, MA

Landworks Studio partnered with the House of the Seven Gables’ Preservation Director and Executive Director to reimagine the museum’s Derby Street entrance, transforming it into a more welcoming and pedestrian-friendly gateway. The design enhances both safety and arrival, improving the visitor experience while strengthening the museum’s connection to the surrounding neighborhood.

Key improvements include new signage, the replacement of aging trees, streetscape plantings, and a brick walkway that guides visitors directly into the historic site. At the entry node, flagstone paving interlocks with the brick walkway, creating a distinctive threshold and visual draw that signals the transition from city street to historic campus. A low fieldstone wall organizes pedestrian movement, softens the edge of circulation routes, and provides informal seating for visitors arriving or departing.

The planting design draws inspiration from the museum’s historic gardens, weaving complementary species into the streetscape to extend the character of the grounds outward. These layered plantings not only beautify the entry sequence but also tie the new public-facing landscape to the institution’s legacy of preservation. Together, the improvements create a more visible, accessible, and cohesive front door to this nationally significant cultural landmark.

Client: House of Seven Gables
Status: Completed
Photography: Landworks Studio, Inc.