18 Felt StreetSalem, MA 01970Price: $1,475,000

Built for Reuben and Grace Ropes, who according to her journal "began housekeeping" here on June 29, 1895. The house remained in the family until 2012, when it was exhaustively restored, new systems, plumbing, and electrics, while keeping its nostalgic soul. Set on a gentle knoll overlooking landscaped grounds, this traditional home suits how we live today, with rooms opening into one another and a circular first-floor flow at ease with family or enjoyed quietly. Upstairs are three bedrooms, a hall bath, and a primary suite with its bedroom in the tower bay window and a dressing room to the ensuite bath. The third-floor office offers water views and privacy. Outside, the grounds feel more expansive than their manageable half acre. The rear deck, ringed by river birches, suits entertaining, and a wild-life protected kitchen garden invites you to grow herbs and vegetables. A detached two-car garage with storage shed adds practicality, while the basement and attic, both easily reached by proper stairs, offer unusually accessible storage. Set in a pastoral setting, yet just minutes from the water, downtown Salem, the PEM, and the train station.