| Built in 1818, the U.S. Custom House in Salem, Massachusetts, is typical of the Federal period style of building. During the early 19th century, between 8 and 12 percent of the nation's revenues were collected in this building.
However, the building is most famous because of one of its employees. Between 1847 and 1849 Nathaniel  Hawthorne worked in this building as Customs Surveyor (apparently a plum patronage appointment). While in Salem, Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter. His Introduction to the book focuses on the Custom House, and includes an extended description of the building, its interior, and the people who worked there.
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Status: Preserved as part of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. Excellent information about the Custom House is available on the Hawthorne in Salem Web site, developed by the faculty and staff of North Shore Community College in Danvers, Massachusetts. Their site includes detailed information about Hawthorne and the Custom House -- and a short video tour of the building.
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