Massachusetts

Christmas in Marblehead, Massachusetts

A closer look at the seasonal charms of Marblehead, Massachusetts, by photographer Mark Fleming.

By Heather Marcus|Dec 11 2018| Print icon

A lobster trap tree topped with an American flag overlooking Marblehead Harbor.

Credit: Mark Fleming
Perhaps no other New England town has as many historic houses as Marblehead, Massachusetts, whose 300 or so venerable dwellings are packed together so tightly, visitors can glimpse a cross-section of centuries at every turn. And at no time of the year do they look more stately than at Christmas, as their owners adorned them for the season with classic evergreens. The following are some of our favorite images by Yankee senior photographer Mark Fleming for the “Marblehead, Massachusetts | Could You Live Here?” feature in the November/December 2018 issue.

Christmas in Marblehead, Massachusetts

A lobster trap tree topped with an American flag overlooking Marblehead Harbor.

Credit: Mark Fleming
A lobster trap “tree” overlooking Marblehead Harbor.
Credit: Mark Fleming

The tall and narrow Fire Station 2 houses one engine on Franklin Street.

Credit: Mark Fleming
Even a fire station may strike a historical note in this town.
Credit: Mark Fleming

Colonial homes along Washington Street. The gray house in the foreground was built for Capt. Benjamin & Elizabeth Trevett in 1715 as a gift from her brother, merchant Samuel Russell.

Credit: Mark Fleming
Colonial homes along Washington Street. The gray house in the foreground was built for Captain Benjamin and Elizabeth Trevett in 1715.
Credit: Mark Fleming

The salmon colored house built for shipwright Richard Trevett on Washington Street. A welcoming golden pineapple tops the ornate door.

Credit: Mark Fleming
A traditional welcoming symbol, a golden pineapple adorns this Washington Street home.
Credit: Mark Fleming

Marblehead Light Station built in the late 1800s is a pyramidal skeletal lighthouse, the only one of its kind in New England. It stands 105 feet tall at the entrance to Marblehead Harbor.

Credit: Mark Fleming
Built in the late 1800s, Marblehead Light Station is a 105-foot-high pyramidal skeletal lighthouse, the only one of its kind in New England.
Credit: Mark Fleming

The Old Town House’s stately doors in historic downtown Marblehead decked out for the holidays with a pair of Christmas wreaths.

Credit: Mark Fleming
The Old Town House’s stately doors are decked out for the holidays.
Credit: Mark Fleming

The home built for Jonathan B. Mason, a sea captain and trader, in 1822 on Mason Street with the Jeremiah Lee Mansion museum cupola topped structure seen in the distance.

Credit: Mark Fleming
In the foreground is a 1822 house built for Jonathan B. Mason, on Mason Street; in the background is the cupola-topped Jeremiah Lee Mansion museum.
Credit: Mark Fleming

Colorful rowhouses along Tucker Street.

Credit: Mark Fleming
Row houses on Tucker Street.
Credit: Mark Fleming

A State Street sentinel built by Benoice Johnson, a cabinet maker, for mariner John Adam circa 1795.

Credit: Mark Fleming
Close-up of a State Street house sign.
Credit: Mark Fleming

A golden cod fish, a nod to the fishing industry in this seaside town, hangs above the front door of Brimblecomb Hill B&B on Mechanic Street in the heart of the historic district. The home was built by Isaac Mansfield in 1721. Before its life as a bed and breakfast, it was home to a shoemaker, a barrel maker, a minister, a wigmaker, an ice cream maker and most notably a friend of Benjamin Franklin.

Credit: Mark Fleming
A golden cod, a nod to the fishing industry in this seaside town, hangs above the front door of Brimblecomb Hill B&B on Mechanic Street. Built in 1721, the building has been home to a shoemaker, a barrel maker, a minister, a wigmaker, an ice cream maker, and most notably a friend of Benjamin Franklin.
Credit: Mark Fleming

Lobster boats at rest in the harbor.

Credit: Mark Fleming
Lobster boats in Marblehead Harbor.
Credit: Mark Fleming

Street lights glow in the early evening along State Street with a holiday star topping a crane in the distance.

Credit: Mark Fleming
Street lamps glow along State Street.
Credit: Mark Fleming
This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated. 

Heather Marcus

Heather Marcus is the senior photo editor for Yankee. She works closely with the art director and contributing photographers to tell our stories about people and place in a compelling way. Living and growing up in New England, she continues to be inspired by the communities, the landscape, and the wonderful visual opportunities the region affords.

More by Heather Marcus

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