Granted there are several fine homes up for sale in Salem that you can visit on any given Sunday— but we’re talking about the “other” open house, the kind which comes with a guided tour through the history of not only the house, but of the people who lived within as well.

Phillips House

Five generations of Phillips family objects are treasured within the walls of Historic New England’s Phillips House, located at 34 Chestnut Street. This is in fact the only house in this very historic district in Salem which is open to the public.

According to the official website: “The unusual collection on display is representative of the Phillips’ extensive travels and interests. It includes Hawaiian and Polynesian objects, as well as fine examples of early American furniture, Persian carpets, and an extensive collection of export porcelain. In the carriage house, visitors can view the family’s collection of carriages and automobiles that spans nearly a hundred years.”

Tours run from 11am to 4 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. The season ends Nov. 2. For specific admission information for individuals and groups, visit www.historicnewengland.org  or call 978-744-0440.

Pickering House

Built in 1651 by John Pickering, it was the home of 10 subsequent generations of Pickerings! It is located at 18 Broad St.

According to the official website: “It is not only Salem’s oldest House, but also America’s oldest Home: home to a single family for over three and a half centuries; home to carpenters, farmers, patriots, military leaders, deacons, diplomats, linguists, and statesmen. And as homes will, it changed with the times.”

It doesn’t taken a historian to imagine the wealth of information almost at your fingertips. The opportunity to not only visit Salem today, but also to see Salem as it was in the beginning awaits you.

Tours operate from 10am to 3pm on Sundays, now through Nov. 30. For specific admission information for individuals and groups, visit www.http://pickeringhouse.org/ or call 978-744-4777.