Editing Salem, Massachusetts (section)

===National Guard birthplace and architecture===

[[File:First Muster 1637.jpg|thumb|First Muster, Spring 1637, Massachusetts Bay Colony.]]
In 1637, the first muster was held on [[Salem Common Historic District (Salem, Massachusetts)|Salem Common]], where for the first time a regiment of militia drilled for the common defense of a multi-community area,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ng.mil/news/archives/2010/04/041310-salem.aspx |title=The National Guard – Guard celebrates 373rd First Muster on Salem Common |publisher=Ng.mil |date=2010-04-10 |access-date=2012-09-03  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607092441/http://www.ng.mil/news/archives/2010/04/041310-salem.aspx |archive-date=2012-06-07 }}</ref> thus laying the foundation for what became the [[Army National Guard]]. In 1637, the General Court of the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]] ordered the organization of the Colony's militia companies into the North, South and East Regiments. The colonists adopted the English militia system, which obligated men between the ages of 16 and 60 to own arms and take part in the community's defense.<ref name="defense.gov">{{cite web|title=Defense.gov News Article: Salem Takes Honor as National Guard's Birthplace|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/id/119052/|work=defense.gov}}</ref><ref name="Sgt. 1st Class Don Veitch">{{cite web|author=Sgt. 1st Class Don Veitch|date=20 August 2010|title=Salem designated as birthplace of the National Guard|url=https://www.army.mil/article/44060|work=army.mil}}</ref>

Each April, the Second Corps of Cadets gather in front of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where the [[corpse|body]] of their founder, Stephen Abbott, is buried. They lay a wreath, play "[[Taps (bugle call)|Taps]]" and fire a [[21-gun salute]]. In another annual commemoration, soldiers gather at Old Salem Armory to honor soldiers who were [[death|killed]] in the [[Battles of Lexington and Concord]]. On April 14, 2012, Salem celebrated the 375th anniversary of the first muster on Salem Common, with more than 1,000 troops taking part in ceremonies and a parade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salemnews.com/local/x2108297794/Musters-375th-anniversary-today |title=Muster's 375th anniversary today » Local News » SalemNews.com, Salem, MA |publisher=Salemnews.com |date=2012-08-30 |access-date=2012-09-03}}</ref>

[[Samuel McIntire]] was one of the first architects in the United States, and his work is a prime example of early [[Federal-style architecture]]. The [[Chestnut Street District|Samuel McIntire Historic District]] is one of the largest concentrations of 17th and 18th century domestic structures in America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.salemweb.com/guide/arch/mdistrict.php|title=McIntire Historic District|website=www.salemweb.com|access-date=2017-10-11}}</ref> It includes McIntire commissions such as the [[Peirce-Nichols House]] and [[Hamilton Hall (Salem, Massachusetts)|Hamilton Hall]]. [[The Witch House]] or Jonathan Corwin House ({{circa|1642}}) is also located in the district. Samuel McIntire's house and workshop were located at 31 Summer Street in what is now the Samuel [[Chestnut Street District|McIntire Historic District]].