The Hotel’s Namesake
Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804, in a small house just blocks from where the Hawthorne Hotel now stands. A walk around our Salem Common and Derby Street neighborhoods will take you past his childhood home, the house where he wrote The Scarlet Letter, the Custom House, where he worked as a surveyor, and the iconic House of the Seven Gables, the backdrop for his famed 1851 novel.
Over A Million Guests. Multiple Generations of Families. Visitors From Near & Far.
Established in 1925, the historic Hawthorne Hotel is situated in the heart of Salem, and a proud member of the Historic Hotels of America. To date, over 1 million guests stayed at the hotel and many generations held their weddings, anniversaries or prom parties in the Grand Ballroom.
1923
Modern Hotel for the Business Traveler
Frank Poor, founder of Hygrade/ Sylvania Lighting Company was the one who first envisioned a “modern hotel for the business traveler” in Salem. Sixteen teams competed for the highest sales honor, with more than half a million dollars worth of stock in the proposed “modern hotel for Salem” being sold in a single week in 1923.
1924
Hotel Construction
Construction of the Hawthorne began with an expected completion date of August 1925.
1925
The Hawthorne Hotel Opens!
July 23rd: the hotel opens up amidst much fanfare. Led by the Salem Chamber and Salem Rotary Club, a flag-raising ceremony declared the hotel open, followed by a city wide parade.
1940's
Crowninshield-Bentley House
The Hawthorne Hotel purchased the beautiful Crowninshield-Bentley House, which stands across Hawthorne Boulevard. The hotel later donated it to the Essex Institute in 1959.
1950's
Hawthorne Motor Hotel
To meet the demand of the growing number of automobiles, the Hawthorne changed its name to the Hawthorne Motor Hotel. At the same time, it covered the Palladian windows in the ballroom to appear more “modern.”
1960's
Dance School Celebrations in the Grand Ballroom
For several decades, Miss Harriet James of Salem led a dance school inside the hotel, with annual celebrations being held in the Grand Ballroom.
1970
Bewitched
The television show Bewitched filmed their Salem Saga in June, which included time at the Hawthorne Hotel and the iconic elevator scene.
1985
60th Anniversary
The hotel celebrated its 60th anniversary. At that time, the hotel was known as the Hawthorne Inn. It would be another four years before it was once again known as the Hawthorne Hotel.
1990
Harry Houdini Séance
A séance was held in the Grand Ballroom on October 30 in the hopes of summoning Harry Houdini on the 64th anniversary of his death. It was unsuccessful.
1991
First Annual Haunted Halloween
The first annual Halloween Party was held at the Hawthorne.
2001
Presidential Visit
Former President Bill Clinton visited the hotel.
2003
Suzannah Flint Guest House
The adjacent Suzannah Flint Guest House was purchased by the Hawthorne Hotel.
2011
Fidelia Bridges Guest House
The Suzannah Flint House was renamed to commemorate famous American artist, Fidelia Bridges, who once resided there.
2015
Robert de Niro and Jennifer Lawrence
Joy, a Hollywood blockbuster with Robert De Niro and Jennifer Lawrence, was partially shot in the hotel's Grand Ballroom, Mezzanine, and in one of the guest rooms. Both of them stayed on the property while filming.
2015
Hawthorne gets voted Best City Center Historic Hotel
The Hawthorne Hotel received the prestigious "2015 Best City Center Historic Hotel Award" from Historic Hotels of America, showcasing the hotel's continued commitment to excellence.
2020
95th Anniversary
On July 23, 2020 the Hawthorne Hotel will be celebrating the 95th Anniversary of its Grand Opening!