Celebrating Preservation Month 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.
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 the Dickson Memorial Chapel at Greenlawn Cemetery and preservation planning efforts at Fort Lee and the Winter Island Barracks and Hangar buildings.
Check back for more information on the following upcoming events with new events to be added:
May 2nd 1pm-3pm - Walking Tour of the McIntire District Hosted by the Salem Historical Commission as part of Salem 400+. Join Historical Commission Chair Vijay Joyce, owner of Rekindled History, for a tour of the beautiful McIntire District. Learn about the neighborhood, Salem’s 1st historic district, and the four centuries of architecture represented on its tree-lined streets. Tour will begin in front of the ca. 1664 Pickering House at 1:00pm. Tour is free but space is limited, please register here or call the Planning Department at 978-619-5685 or email pkelleher@salem.com.
May 3rd 1pm-3pm - Walking Tour of Lafayette Street District Hosted by the Salem Historical Commission as part of Salem 400+. Join Historical Commission Chair Vijay Joyce, owner of Rekindled History, for a tour of Lafayette Street to learn more about one of the finest collections of Victorian architecture in Salem. Tour will begin at Forest River Park in front of the historic farmhouse of Colonel Timothy Pickering, now the park caretaker house. Tour is free but space is limited, please register here or call the Planning Department at 978-619-5685 or email pkelleher@salem.com.
May 7th 6pm-8pm - Behind Closed Doors: Special tour of The House of the Seven Gables The House of the Seven Gables has many stories to tell, but only so many can be told on the usual tour. Join The Gables for a special “Behind the Scenes” tour where you will get into spaces the public generally isn’t allowed, hear some of the lesser-known stories, and enjoy The Gables like few ever have! Space is limited, and registration is required. Part of Salem 400+.
May 9th 10am-12pm - Walking Tour of Derby Street District Hosted by the Salem Historical Commission as part of Salem 400+. Hosted by the Salem Historical Commission as part of Salem 400+. Join Historical Commission Chair Vijay Joyce, owner of Rekindled History, for a tour of the historic waterfront neighborhood of Derby Street. Tour will begin in front of the Custom House, 176 Derby Street. Tour is free but space is limited, please register here or call the Planning Department at 978-619-5685 or email pkelleher@salem.com.
May 9th 1pm-3pm - Walking Tour of Washington Square District Hosted by the Salem Historical Commission as part of Salem 400+. Join Historical Commission Chair Vijay Joyce, owner of Rekindled History, for a tour of Washington Square surrounding the Salem Common to view some of the finest Federal era architecture in the nation. Tour will begin in front of the Salem Common Bandstand, built for Salem’s 300th anniversary. Tour is free but space is limited, please register here or call the Planning Department at 978-619-5685 or email pkelleher@salem.com.
May 9th - From City Hall to Sacred Ground: Honoring Salem's First Mayor Leverett Saltonstall and Those Who Followed - As part of the Salem 400+ celebration, historic Harmony Grove Cemetery at 30 Grove Street in North Salem is hosting a free program honoring the history of Salem’s past mayors. Peter Drummey, retired Chief Historian of the Massachusetts Historical Society, will present a lecture “Leverett Saltonstall, Salem’s First Mayor” at the historic Blake Memorial Chapel from 11-12pm followed by an optional self-guided walking tour of the cemetery spotlighting Salem mayors interred in the cemetery.
May 14th - May 27th - Rediscovered: A Century of Salem Building Permits and Plans Exhibit at Old Town Hall - This special exhibit will highlight some of the fascinating artifacts uncovered during an ongoing project to preserve and catalog the City’s vast collection of historic building documents including blueprints and building permits that date back to the 1890s. The exhibit will be open to the public on Thursdays 4pm-7pm and Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from 12pm-4pm with a special reception on May 21st 5:30-7pm. Special hours available by appointment - email pkelleher@salem.com.
May 14th 6:45pm-9pm - A Salem 400 Conversation: The New Urban Fabric: Balancing Growth and Heritage - Join Historic Salem, Inc. at the historic Hawthorne Hotel in downtown Salem for a conversation that explores the evolving relationship between development and preservation—and what it may mean for Salem’s future. Event reception begins at 6:45 pm with hors d’oevres and a cash bar. The conversation starts at 7:30 pm. Members free/$20 non-members
May 15th 12:30pm - Winter Island Coastal Bank & Fort Pickering Walking Tour - Learn more about this ongoing innovative project to restore the natural elements of Winter Island’s coastal bank while preserving the historic features of Fort Pickering, first established in ca. 1643.
May 17th 3:00-4:30pm - Americana Lecture: Samuel Chamberlain: Visual Poet of the North Shore - Join Hamilton Hall for a special lecture on North Shore artist Samuel Chamberlain (1895-1975), a printmaker, photographer and writer whose work captured a compelling blend of history, beauty, and locale.
May 26th 1pm - Dedication of the Lafayette Trail Historical Marker - Join the City and the Lafayette Trail committee to dedicate a new marker commemorating Lafayette’s visit to Salem. The marker is part of a Lafayette250 initiative honoring Lafayette's contributions to American freedom as the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Lafayette250 is the first nationwide effort celebrating the semiquincentennial of Lafayette's historic participation in the American Revolution.
The event will start promptly at 1 pm at the lower end of Lafayette Park, near the corner of Washington and Lafayette streets.