The Gardner-Pingree House is the finest surviving example of Samuel McIntire's domestic architecture, built in 1804–1805 and considered one of the best Federal-period houses in the United States. McIntire was Salem's greatest craftsman — carpenter, carver, and architect — and his hallmarks are all here: the three-story brick facade, the Palladian window over the entrance, the delicate carved details inside, and the perfect proportions that characterize the best Federal work.
Now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum and open for tours, the house retains much of its original decorative woodwork and has been furnished to reflect the early 19th century. The combination ticket with the museum makes this an easy add-on to a PEM visit. The exterior, on the Essex Street pedestrian mall, can be seen at any time; the carvings above the entrance are worth stopping for even if you don't go in.