This building was constructed in 1794 to house the school for boys in Salem, it was the first educational building built in Salem. The Boys' School, started in 1771, continued into the 20th century.

Adjacent and nearby stands Salem Academy and College, one of the earliest institutions for female education in the United States. Began in 1772 and expanded to include a boarding school in 1802, the Salem Girls' School demonstrates the Moravians’ dedication to educating both boys and girls. In the 1890s, the school began to offer college level courses, one of the first women's collegiate institutions in the United States.

The Boys' School currently houses new exhibits that illustrate the ongoing architectural investigation of the building, for its eventual reopening as a restored building. There is also a special exhibit that explains the restoration process and the changes that have taken place over the last 60 years to restore the historic community.