Sea captain’s home overlooking Salem Common

33 Washington Square North, Salem

The 200 year old renovated Federalist brick home on Salem Common.Zack Wittman for The Boston Globe

A century or so after that brouhaha over witches, this Federal-style mansion overlooking Salem Common was built for a sea captain, and in the 200 years since, only six families have owned it. Towering and made of red brick, the White Silsbee House has been renovated from top (lally columns cured the bouncing floors) to bottom (a new cement floor) yet remains rich with the past. The formal dining room, for example, retains the 19th-century handpainted Zuber wallpaper displaying nature scenes from four climates.

The spacious kitchen features stainless steel appliances, dark soapstone counters counterpointing white cabinets, and the original Rumford Roaster stove kept for display. Another view not to be missed is off the kitchen: A broad and open porch overlooks a beautiful English garden of perennials (including New Dawn roses) and a multitiered fountain that ends in a koi pond.

To the right of the broad main entry are two parlors separated by a set of doors capped with a grand glass-fan transom. The curving front stairs, with the original balusters, lead to the second floor, where the master suite occupies a sunny, quiet corner of the house overlooking the backyard. The suite, which can comfortably accommodate a king-size bed, offers a fireplace and walk-in closet with built-in shelving. The modern bath includes a whirlpool tub with Carrara marble accents, a separate marble shower, and a gas fireplace crowned with a mantel that was relocated from the third floor. A large office space with exposed beams completes the suite. Also on this floor: two large and sunny bedrooms.

The quartersawn oak and mahogany floors on the first two levels shift to painted pine on the third, an area given over to a large “man room” with pool table and wet bar. Two bedrooms and a full bath complete this floor.

In the basement is a 1,000-plus-bottle wine room, humidity-controlled, that is large enough for private tastings for small groups. The carriage house includes a one-bedroom apartment.

Ted Richard of J. Barrett & Company real estate in Beverly is the listing broker.

Price: $1.5 million

Style: Federal

Built: 1811

Rooms: 13

Bedrooms: 5

Baths: 3 full, 1 half

Square feet: 7,416

Sewer: Public

Taxes: $16,117 (2014)
*The carriage house adds one bedroom, one full bath, and an additional 750 square feet.

Towering and made of red brick, the White Silsbee House has been renovated from top to bottom yet remains rich with the past. Zack Wittman for The Boston Globe

The formal dining room, retains the 19th-century handpainted Zuber wallpaper displaying nature scenes from four climates.Zack Wittman for The Boston Globe

The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, dark soapstone counters counterpointing white cabinets, and the original Rumford Roaster stove kept for display.Zack Wittman for The Boston Globe

The master suite occupies a sunny, quiet corner of the house overlooking the backyard.Zack Wittman for The Boston Globe

The quartersawn oak and mahogany floors are on the first two levels, and there is a large “man room” with pool table and wet bar.Zack Wittman for The Boston Globe

In the basement, there is a 1,000-plus-bottle wine room, humidity-controlled, and is large enough for private tastings for small groups.Zack Wittman for The Boston Globe