What was the importance of salt in colonial times?
In colonial times, salt played a very important role in society. Salt was used to preserve foods, like meats and fish. Particularly on the South Shore, a lot of salt was needed to keep fish fresh, especially during the long winters. Salt was harvested from evaporated seawater on the nearby shores.
Large amounts of salt were stored in “saltbox houses” and were built to be able to weather New England's harsh climate. In these buildings, large wooden beams were built to support crates filled with large amounts of salt.
Olde Salt House was constructed in 1760, and today is a modern example of one of these colonial “warehouses” that were used for storing salt, hence the name “Salt House.” It was part of a complex of buildings built by Samuel Bates, which included a wharf that is still in use by commercial fishermen today, and the buildings have been converted into what is now the popular restaurant it is today.
