Built in 1805, Hamilton Hall is widely recognized as one of the most important federal buildings in America, and it retains its original role as a gathering place for Salem residents, visitors, and special guests. At the time of Hamilton Hall’s construction, Salem was not only prosperous but also politically divided, between adherents of the Jeffersonian Republic and Federalist parties. The Hall was built as a Federalist hall and named after the Federalist hero and martyr Alexander Hamilton, who had died in a duel the year before. It became a registered national historic landmark in 1970.

Designed and built by Salem’s famed architect and woodcarver Samuel McIntyre, Hamilton Hall is a fine example of the neoclassical Federalist style, as reflected in the use of arched Palladian windows and decorative carvings on the building façade.

On the first floor, you will find the Pickering Room. This room is home to the original McIntyre-carved bald eagle, which once hung above the Chestnut Street entrance. In 2016, it was removed, restored, and replaced with an exterior replica.
Next, you'll enter the Brick Hearth Room, notable for its Rumford Roaster- a highly coveted piece of early 19th century cooking technology. 
Upstairs, you'll find the Grand Ballroom. On the far wall is a pair of gilded mirrors imported from Russia in 1859. The ballroom features a special spring floor, designed to absorb shock and cushion dancers’ feet. 
The third-floor Supper Room offers a refuge from the ballroom and opens onto the balcony.