Celebrating Preservation Month (and beyond) in Salem!

Did you know?

  • Salem’s historic architecture spans almost 400 years and includes almost all of the architectural styles popular in the United States over the past four centuries

  • Salem has more than 4,500 resources documented in the City’s historic inventory, the third largest inventory in Massachusetts

  • Salem has almost 1,700 historic buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places

  • Salem’s historic municipal assets date from the early 1600s to the mid-20th century and include historic buildings (15+), historic parks (7), historic monuments (5+), and historic cemeteries (5), as well as historic structures, artwork and documents

  • Salem has awarded more than $4.5 million in CPA funds to assist 45 City and non-profit owned historic properties

  • Salem has more than 25 organizations that participate in the Salem Preservation Partners group

Salem is excited to once again celebrate Preservation Month in May. Every year, communities throughout the nation celebrate Preservation Month in order to recognize the unique historic resources that make their communities special. Salem is blessed with one of the most important and most beautiful collections of historic buildings in the country. This heritage defines Salem’s unique character and sense of place and also serves as a vital tool that contributes to the city’s economic health.

This year’s Preservation Month theme celebrates the power of place, recognizing how historic places and historic preservation strengthens communities, breathes new life into neighborhoods, supports a healthier planet and builds a more just and connected society.  

The City and the Salem Preservation Partners are excited to host local events beginning in May and continuing through the summer to focus attention on Salem’s unique heritage and people. Walking tours, in-person and virtual lectures and open house days are just some of the events planned. The City also continues preservation efforts at some of Salem’s most iconic historic landmarks, including restoration of Old Town Hall and the Dickson Memorial Chapel at Greenlawn Cemetery. Other recent preservation initiatives include an architectural survey of the historic Mack Park Neighborhood and upcoming preservation planning efforts at Fort Pickering and Fort Lee.

Check back for more information on the following upcoming events with new events to be added:

May 15th - Behind Closed Doors tour at the House of the Seven Gables

May 16th 6-8pm - Historic Salem Inc. Annual Meeting featuring a talk by Dr. Robin Williams, Ph.D. Chair of Architectural History, Savannah College of Art and Design and creator of the Historic Pavement website to document the diversity of historic street and sidewalk pavement in America.

May 17th - 9AM- 12PM - Celebration at the Dickson Memorial Chapel and Greenlawn Cemetery - Celebrating 131 years of the Dedication of the Dickson Memorial Chapel to the City of Salem and 5 years of the F. Carroll Sargent Arboretum at Greenlawn Cemetery

May 25th 1-3pm - Broad Street Cemetery Tour - Event will feature a talk at the Pickering House then a walk through the cemetery by Kenneth Dyke-Glover, VP of the Friends of Broad Street Cemetery to highlight the recently discovered names and locations of 107 veterans (70 from the Revolutionary War).