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Timeline of Salem, Massachusetts facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This is a timeline of the history of the city of Salem, Massachusetts, United States.

Timeline

17th century

  • 1626
    • Settlers arrive.
  • 1629
    • Town of Salem incorporated.
Salem Common
Salem Common during the winter
  • 1629
    • First muster on Salem Common. This was the first time that a regiment of militia drilled for the common defense of a multi-community area [1], thus laying the foundation for what became the Army National Guard. [2]
  • 1644
SalemMA GedneyAndCoxHouses
Gedney & Cox Houses
  • 1649
    • Salem Custom House built. It collected taxes on imported cargoes.
  • 1651
  • 1664
    • Pickman House built. It is now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum and is not open to the public.
  • 1665
    • Gedney House built (approximate date). It is now operated as a non-profit museum by Historic New England. The house is rarely open to the public, though private tours can be arranged.
  • 1667
    • House of the Seven Gables built for Capt. John Turner. It remained in his family for three generations, descending from John Turner II to John Turner III.
  • 1675
  • 1680
    • The Neal House is constructed at 12 Broad Street.
  • 1684
    • John Ward House built. The house was moved to its present site in 1910 and restored by the Peabody Essex Museum. It is open for viewing on guided tour. Rooms on the first floor feature 17th-century furnishings.[3]
  • 1688
    • William Murray House built
  • 1692

18th century

Nathaniel Hawthorne birthplace - Salem, Massachusetts
Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace, Salem, Massachusetts.
  • 1712
  • 1727
  • 1739
  • 1745
  • 1750
  • 1757
    • Samuel McIntire
      Samuel McIntire, c. 1786, pastel portrait attributed to Benjamin Blyth
      Samuel McIntire (January 16, 1757 – February 6, 1811) American architect and craftsman, born in Salem. He built a simple home and workshop on Summer Street in 1786.
  • 1760
    • The Salem Social Library, a (proprietary library) was established.
  • 1762
    • Derby House built on what is today the Salem Maritime National Historic Site . The Derby House is the oldest brick house in Salem.
    • Derby Wharf (1762, extended 1806) – Salem's longest wharf (nearly 1/2-mile). When in active use, it was lined with warehouses of goods from around the world. The Derby Wharf Light (1871) remains at the end of the wharf.
  • 1766
    • The Salem Marine Society was established in Salem & still holds meetings at the Hawthorne Hotel.
  • 1768
    • Essex Gazette newspaper begins publication.
  • 1773
    • Nathaniel Bowditch (March 26, 1773 – March 16, 1838) American mathematician, born in Salem.
Nathaniel Bowditch (1773-1838), American mathematician and actuary
Nathaniel Bowditch
  • 1774
    • Royal governor General Thomas Gage moved the capital of Massachusetts to Salem in June 1774 as a result of protests resulting from The Boston Tea Party.
  • 1775
    • On February 26, 1775, patriots raised the drawbridge at the North River, preventing British Colonel Alexander Leslie and his 300 troops of the 64th Regiment of Foot from seizing stores and ammunition hidden in North Salem. A few months later, in May 1775, a group of prominent merchants with ties to Salem, including Francis Cabot, William Pynchon, Thomas Barnard, E. A. Holyoke and William Pickman, felt the need to publish a statement retracting what some interpreted as Loyalist leanings and to profess their dedication to the Colonial cause.
  • 1776
  • 1780
    • May 19: New England's Dark Day, an unusual darkening of the day sky over the New England states and parts of Canada, so complete that candles were required from noon on. It is thought to have been caused by a combination of smoke from forest fires, a thick fog, and cloud cover, and did not disperse until the middle of the next night.
    • The Grand Turk (ship) was launched in Salem by Elias Hasket Derby. This was the first ship to trade using the Canton System & the Old China Trade.
    • Benjamin Hawkes House (a Federal mansion) built in the Derby Wharf Historic District on Derby Wharf.
  • 1781
    • Salem Philosophical Library organized & in 1810 merged into the newly formed Salem Athenaeum.
  • 1782
    • Peirce-Nichols House built. It is now a National Historic Landmark.
    • Cotting-Smith Assembly House built at 138 Federal Street as a Federalist Clubhouse in which balls, concerts, lectures, and other events might be held. It is now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum. George Washington attended a dance here. The original architect is unknown, but the house was later remodeled by Samuel McIntire for use as a private residence. The house is in the Federal style and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
    • The Captin Ingersol mansion, (now the house of the 7 Gables.) John Turner III lost everything and the house was sold to another mariner, Samuel Ingersoll, in 1782.
    • Peirce-Nichols House, a Federal Mansion is built on Chestnut Street in what today is the Samuel McIntire Historic District.
  • 1784
    • Joshua Ward House built
  • 1785
  • 1786
    • Salem Mercury newspaper begins publication.
  • 1787
    • Rufus Choate House built. It is now in the National Register of Historic Places
Rufus Choate House
Rufus Choate House, (National Register of Historic Places) 1787.
  • 1790
    • Salem Gazette newspaper begins publication.
    • Population: 7,921.
  • 1791
    • Bakers Island Light established.
  • 1795
    • Antique Colonial built in 1795, 15 Beckford Street in what is now the Historic McIntire District.
  • 1796
    • Chestnut Street "laid out."
  • 1797
    • Friendship of Salem built. She made 15 voyages during her career, to Batavia, India, China, South America, the Caribbean, England, Germany, the Mediterranean, and Russia; she was captured as a prize of war by the British in September 1812.
    • Salem and Danvers Aqueduct incorporated.
  • 1799
East India Marine Hall, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA, USA - July 2013
East India Marine Hall in 2013, now part of the Peabody Essex Museum
Artist Woodcarver John Pydynkowski, hand carved walking stick, (2o4) amazing detail
(built, 1805) Customs House. Downtown Salem, MA
(Salem, Massachusetts) John Pydynkowski, 23k gold leaf artist woodcarver. photographed at his studio just outside Boston
Topmast Studio (WORKSHOP) Salem Massachusetts

19th century

1814 EssexRegister SalemMA December14
Essex Register published in Salem 1807-1840
1820 Salem Massachusetts map bySaunders BPL 12094
Map of Salem, 1820
City Hall, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views 18
City Hall, built 1838 (photo later 19th century)
1857 ads SalemDirectory Massachusetts p42
Advertisements for Salem businesses, 1857
  • 1800
    • Impartial Register newspaper begins publication.
    • Ebenezer Shillaber Mansion is constructed at 128 Federal Street.
  • 1804
  • 1805
  • 1806
    • Stephen Phillips House built. It is now in the National Register of Historic Places.
    • Derby Wharf extended. Salem's longest wharf (nearly 1/2 mile). When in active use, it was lined with warehouses of goods from around the world. (Originally constructed 1762.)
  • 1808
  • 1809
    • Thomas March Woodbridge House built
  • 1810
  • 1811
    • Joseph Story House built at 26 Winter Street for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story. It is now a National Historic Landmark.
    • Bessie Monroe House built.
    • A large Federal Period house is built at 26 Winter Street.
    • Salem Charitable Mechanic Association organized.
    • Handel Society formed.
  • 1816
    • Salem Old Town Hall built. It is the earliest surviving municipal structure in Salem (dating from 1816–17) and an outstanding example of Federal architecture. The second floor of the building, Great Hall, has always been used as a public hall. The first floor, originally a public market, now houses the Salem Museum. [5]
  • 1818
    • Salem Evangelical Library formed.
  • 1819
    • Salem Society for the Moral and Religious Instruction of the Poor formed.
    • Andrew–Safford House built, designed in the Federal style for a wealthy Russian fur merchant. It was reputed to have been the most costly house in the United States. It is now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
    • Salem Customs House built on the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, the 13th Customs House in Salem; the first was built in 1649. Each collected taxes on imported cargoes.
  • 1821
    • Essex Historical Society incorporated.
    • Haydn Society formed.
  • 1823
    • Salem Observer newspaper begins publication.
  • 1825
    • East India Marine Hall built.
    • Mozart Association organized.
  • 1830
    • Salem Lyceum formed.
    • Bowker Place built.
  • 1831
    • Salem Dispensary incorporated.
    • Salem Mercury newspaper begins publication.
  • 1832
    • Samaritan Society formed.
    • Salem Advertiser and Argus newspaper begins publication.
    • Salem Glee Club formed.
  • 1833
  • 1834
  • 1836
    • City of Salem incorporated.
    • Leverett Saltonstall becomes mayor.
  • 1838
    • City Hall built.
    • Connecting Salem to Boston via Railroad happened in 1838 and is still in use today as the Salem (MBTA station). Service from Salem to East Boston began on August 27, 1838, with fares half that of competing stagecoaches.
First Salem station by George Elmer Browne
A late drawing of the first station in Salem, Massachusetts and based on an early dauguerrotype taken between 1839 and 1848. Drawn by George Elmer Browne (born in 1871) sometime before 1917
  • 1839
    • Salem Children's Friend Society organized.
    • Salem Social Singing Society organized.
    • The railroad in Salem received much more traffic than expected, and a branch line from Salem to Marblehead opened on December 10, 1839
  • 1840
    • Harmony Grove Cemetery established.
  • 1841
    • Female Washington Total Abstinence Society formed.
    • The Old Granite Courthouse built in the Greek Revival architectural style. Also known (circa 1862) as the County Commissioner's Building,
  • 1844
    • A large Federal Period house is built at 24 Winter Street.
  • 1845
    • A large Federal Period house is built at 16 Winter Street.
  • 1846
    • Salem Academy of Music formed.
  • 1848
EssexInstitute ca1900s SalemMA DetroitPubCo LC 3
Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts, circa 1900-1910 at the Essex Institute.
  • 1849
    • Salem Philharmonic Society formed.
    • 1850
    • Salem native Nathaniel Hawthorne publishes The Scarlet Letter.
    • A small house is built at 14 Burnside Street.
    • A large Federal Period houses are built at 2 & 3 Winter Street.
  • 1851
  • 1852
    • John Tucker Daland House built.
Salem Harbor Fitz Hugh Lane
Salem Harbor, oil on canvas, Fitz Hugh Lane, 1853. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
  • 1854
    • Salem Normal School established.
    • With direct Railroad connections to most of the major cities of northeastern Massachusetts by 1850, Salem became a major railroad junction.
  • 1855
    • Salem Choral Society organized.
    • Salem Musical Education Society formed.
  • 1857
    • Plummer Hall built.
  • 1858
  • 1860
    • A mixed use commercial & multi residential building is constructed at 116 Boston Street.
  • 1866
    • An Incredible high style Victorian is constructed at 170 Federal Street.
  • 1867
    • John P. Peabody House built at 15 Summer Street
  • 1868
  • 1871
    • Derby Wharf Light built.
1883 SalemMA map BPL 2675001218
Map of Salem and Harbor, 1883
  • 1873
    • A Stunning Victorian is built at 7 Winter Street.
  • 1876
    • November: Boston-Salem telephone demonstration.
  • 1878
    • Salem Schubert Club organized.
    • By the 1870s, a roundhouse, coaling tower, and water tank were located inside the wye to serve the three lines from the west. The roundhouse was later rebuilt with more stalls and access from the south to serve commuter trains.
  • 1881
    • North Street Fire Station built.
Salem station, circa 1880s
The southern end of the station in the 1880s
  • 1882
    • On April 7, 1882, a fire resulting from an explosion of a can of fusees destroyed the wooden trainshed, although the granite facade and towers were intact. A wooden replacement was built around the burnt section. On December 2, 1884, the Eastern was acquired by the B&M. For several decades until the 1930s, Salem was the turnback point for a limited number of short turn trains.
  • 1883
  • 1889
    • Wesley Methodist Church built. It is now in the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1897
    • Society of St. Joseph founded.
  • 1898

20th century

  • 1901
    • St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and Rectory is founded. It is now in the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1903
    • St. John the Baptist Parish founded.
  • 1906
    • Parker Brothers publishes the game Rook. It quickly became the best-selling game in the country, and remains their most successful card game to this day.
    • Salem Laundry building built. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1907
    • The Salem Athenaeum's new building, at 337 Essex Street, dedicated. The Athenaeum was founded in 1810 and is one of the oldest private library organizations in the United States. In 1905, the Athenæum sold the building at 132 Essex Street to the Essex Institute (now the Peabody Essex Museum), and constructed its new building.
  • 1908
    • House of the Seven Gables purchased by Caroline O. Emmerton, founder of the House of Seven Gables Settlement Association. She restored it from 1908 to 1910 as a museum whose admission fees would support the association.
  • 1914
    • Great Salem Fire of 1914
  • 1915
  • 1925
    • Palmer's Cove Yacht Club formed [6] in Salem Harbor. It sponsors the Bowditch Race each August in the Harbor.
  • 1930
US Post Office - Salem Main
US Post Office in Salem
Coast Guard Air Station Salem patch
Coast Guard Air Station Salem patch
DarrowPage1
First page of Charles Darrow's patent submission for Monopoly, submitted and granted in 1935
  • 1932
    • The Salem Post Office built at 2 Margin Street in downtown Salem.
  • 1933
    • Salem Willows Yacht Club is incorporated.[7]. It provides clubhouse facilities, dock, launch service, gas pump and dinghy storage.
  • 1935
  • 1938
  • 1944
    • Air Station Salem officially designated as the first Air-Sea Rescue station on the eastern seaboard. The Martin PBM Mariner, a hold-over from the war, became the primary rescue aircraft. In the mid-1950s helicopters came as did Grumman HU-16 Albatross amphibious flying boats (UFs).
  • 1958
    • The B&M extended the Salem tunnel to the south, and soon after built a station in the southern approach span. However, the station lacked modern elements like parking capacity and elevators to make the below-ground-level platforms handicapped accessible. In 1987, the MBTA abandoned the station and built the present station at the north end of the tunnel. The 1959 station building remains at 89 Margin Street; it has been converted into a private school. The platforms remain extant in the tunnel approach, as do rusted pieces of staircases from Mill Street and a pedestrian overpass behind the station building.
  • 1964
    • Hawthorne Cove Marina [8] established, a 110-slip marina on Salem Harbor near the Salem ferry terminal.
  • 1965
  • 1968
  • 1969
    • Fort Pickering Light, also known as Winter Island Light, built in 1871, discontinued by the Coast Guard.
    • Pickman House restored by Historic Salem and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1970
Hamilton Hall (Salem)
Hamilton Hall at 9 Chestnut Street – added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 & built in 1805 by Samuel McIntire -
Stephen Phillips House
Phillips House at 34 Chestnut Street added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 built in 1800 by Samuel McIntire -
  • 1983
    • Fort Pickering Light was relit as a private aid to navigation by the City of Salem in 1983.
    • John P. Peabody House is a historic house at 15 Summer Street was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
    • Stephen Phillips House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 & is now owned and operated as a historic house museum by Historic New England and is open for public tours.
    • West Cogswell House, a historic set of row houses located at 5-9 Summer Street and was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
    • Wesley Methodist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
    • Downtown Salem District was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
    • Crombie Street District was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
    • Shepard Block, located at 298-304 Essex Street and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
    • First Universalist Church is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
    • Salem Laundry was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
    • YMCA is Salem is added to the National Register of Historic Places
    • Bessie Monroe House was added to the National Register of Historic Places
    • Bowker Place was added to the National Register of Historic Places
    • Federal Street District features Early Republic and Late Victorian architecture and was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
    • Parker Brothers in Salem, Massachusetts spent US$15 million establishing a book publishing branch; their first titles featured the American Greetings franchises, Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake. The branch published twelve titles by February 1984; sales of these books totalled 3.5 million units. Parker Brothers also operated a record label around the same time; one of its releases, based on Coleco's Cabbage Patch Kids and involving Tom and Stephen Chapin, was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in July 1984.

1984

  • The entire area of Winter Island was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Winter Island Historic District and Archeological District
  • 1986
    • The Salem Post Office is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1987
  • Derby Wharf Light Station is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Salem Station Platform
1987-built station viewed in 2010
  • 1988
  • Salem held its first annual Salem Maritime Festival the Salem Maritime National Historic Site
  • 1990
    • William Murray House was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1991
  • 1992
    • Peabody Essex Museum was formed by mergeding with the Essex Institute to form the Peabody Essex Museum. Included in the merger was the legacy of the East India Marine Society, established in 1799 by a group of Salem-based ship captains.
  • Phillips Library established.
  • 1994
    • Winter Island Light is a constituent part of the Winter Island Historic District and Archeological District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 14, 1994, reference number 94000335.
    • Fort Lee was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
    • Salem Willows Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
    • St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and Rectory is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1997
    • Construction of the rigging shed (80-by-16-foot wooden building) at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, a carpentry workshop and storage space since for The Friendship.
  • 1999
    • The Salem Diner was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

21st century

(John Pydynkowski) made this.. hand carved. a custom made to order. estimated to have ̩175 u.s.d. cost on gold leaf... sold for ̩350 u.s.d. Gold Whale
US-NationalParkService-ShadedLogo
  • 2000
    • Friendship of Salem is a 171-foot replica of a 1797 East Indiaman, built in the Scarano Brothers Shipyard in Albany, New York, in 2000. The ship usually functions as a stationary museum during most of the year, however the ship is a fully functioning United States Coast Guard certified vessel capable of passenger and crew voyages, and will set sail during various times of the year. The first American National Historic Site is run by the National Park Service at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site where the Friendship of Salem is docked.
Friendship of Salem
Friendship of Salem at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
  • 2001
    • Pickering Wharf Marina opens as a full-service marina in Salem Harbor.
    • Salem Water Taxi is founded in Salem Harbor.
  • 2002
  • 2003
    • The National Park Service acquired the Pedrick Store House from the town of Marblehead, this 1770 warehouse was built in Marblehead, just across the harbor from Salem, in 1770 by Thomas Pedrick, a successful member of the merchant community in pre-Revolutionary War Marblehead.
    • The original Fame was a fast Chebacco fishing schooner that was reborn as a privateer when war broke out in the summer of 1812. She was arguably the first American privateer to bring home a prize, and she made 20 more captures before being wrecked in the Bay of Fundy in 1814. The new Fame is a full-scale replica of this famous schooner. Framed and planked of white oak and trunnel-fastened in the traditional manner, the replica of Fame was launched in 2003. She is now based at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site at Pickering Wharf Marina, where she takes the paying public for cruises on historic Salem Sound.
      Salem Ferry
      In celebration of Nathaniel Bowditch and his work writing the New American Practical Navigator, first published in 1802, is still carried on board every commissioned U.S. Naval vessel., in his hometown of Salem, Massachusetts there is the Salem Ferry, named after Bowditch, a high speed catamaran takes people to Boston and is pictured as it is approaching its dock off Blaney Street, Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
    • Pioneer Village underwent a major renovation from 2003 until Spring 2008 when Gordon College (Massachusetts) took over its management along with Old Town Hall An Immersive Salem Witch Trials Experience.
Peabody Essex Museum
The Peabody Essex Museum
Peabody Essex Museum - Salem, Massachusetts - DSC06782
Interior Atrium (architecture) PEM
    • The Peabody Essex Museum completed a massive $100 million renovation and expansion resulting in the opening a new wing designed by Moshe Safdie, more than doubling the gallery space to 250,000 square feet (23,000 m2); this allowed the display of many items from its extensive holdings, which had previously been unknown to the public due to lack of capability to show them. At this time, the museum also opened to the public the Yin Yu Tang House, an early 19th-century Chinese house from Anhui that had been removed from its original village and reconstructed in Salem.
    • Yin Yu Tang House Yin Yu Tang, was built around 1800 in China. Over 200 years after construction the Yin Yu Tang House was disassembled in China, shipped to America and then reassembled in 2003 inside the Peabody Essex Museum.
  • 2005
    • A homeless shelter opens in downtown Salem. ..... The Archdiocese of Boston closed the parish in 2003, according to Historic Salem Inc. "In 2005, the Salem Mission bought the closed St. Mary's Italian Church on Margin Street from the Archdiocese of Boston,"
  • 2006
Kim Driscoll, official portrait, lieutenant governor
Kimberley Layne Driscoll (born August 12, 1966) is an American politician and lawyer who served as the mayor of Salem, Massachusetts and is the 73rd lieutenant governor of Massachusetts since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Driscoll was first elected mayor in 2005. Before becoming mayor, Driscoll served as an elected member of the Salem City Council and worked as the deputy city manager and chief legal counsel for the city of Chelsea, Massachusetts.
    • Kimberley Driscoll becomes mayor.
    • The Salem Ferry a 92-foot (28 m) high-speed catamaran that travels from Salem to Boston in 50 minutes from May to October and had its maiden voyage on June 22, 2006.
    • Waterfront redevelopment – The first step in the redevelopment was in 2006, when the State of Massachusetts gave Salem $1,000,000. The bulk of the money – $750,000 – was earmarked for acquisition of the Blaney Street landing, the private, 2-acre (8,100 m2) site off Derby Street used by the ferry. Another $200,000 was approved for the design of the new Salem wharf, a large pier planned for the landing, which officials said could be used by small cruise ships, commercial vessels and fishing boats.
  • 2007
    • Salem Arts Association incorporated.
    • Doyle Sailmakers expanded into a new 31,000 square foot loft in Salem, Massachusetts
    • The City of Salem launched the Haunted Passport program which offers visitors discounts and benefits from local tourist attractions and retailers from October to April.
    • On March 29, 2007, the House of the Seven Gables Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark.
    • Pedrick Store House, a three-story building, constructed around 1770, is a historic rigging and sail loft, which the Park Service relocated from Marblehead to Salem in 2007 & construction began in the rebuilding of the Pedrick Store House, which had been in storage for many years disassembled – current location is Derby Wharf at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
  • 2008
    • Joseph Fenno House-Woman's Friend Society was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 17, 2008.
  • 2009
    • Start of the Salem Farmers Market, taking place every Thursday – starting in June and going thru to October at Derby Square on Front Street Salem Farmers' Market
  • 2010
    • The City of Salem's plans call for a total build-out of the current Blaney Street pier, known as the Salem Wharf project. When finished, the Blaney Street pier will be home to small to medium-sized cruise ships, commercial vessels and the Salem Ferry. This project is fully engineered and permitted.
    • On July 28, 2010, Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick signed into law today a bill that transforms Salem State College into Salem State University. Salem and eight other Massachusetts state colleges have collectively formed a new Massachusetts state university system.
    • Salem Harborwalk opened in July 2010 to celebrate the rebirth of the Salem waterfront as a source of recreation for visitors as well as the local community. The 1,100-foot (340 m) walkway extends from the area of the Salem Fire Station to the Salem Waterfront Hotel.
    • The $57.5 million, 525-student residence hall on Central Campus at Salem State University opened.
  • 2011
    • Opening of the $109 million J. Michael Ruane Judicial Centerin Salem, located at 56 Federal Street.
    • A bike program called Salem Spins, that offers bicycles, free of charge, with a fleet of 20 bicycles, split between two hubs, at Salem State University and downtown, near the Hawthorne Hotel.
    • Waterfront redevelopment – construction crews were building a long seawall at the Blaney Street landing, which runs from the edge of the ferry dock back toward Derby Street and along an inner harbor. This is one of the early and key pieces of the Salem Pier, which the city hopes to have completed by 2014 and is the key to eventually bring cruise ships to Salem.
    • A master plan was developed for Winter Island in Salem, with help from the planning and design firm The Cecil Group of Boston and Bioengineering Group of Salem, and the City of Salem paid $45,000 in federal money. In the long term the projected cost to rehabilitate just the barracks is $1.5 million. But in the short term, there are multiple lower-cost items like a proposed $15,000 for a kayak dock or $50,000 to relocate and improve the bathhouse. This is a very important project since Fort Pickering guarded Salem Harbor as far back as the 17th century.
    • In 2011, a mahogany side chair with carving done by Samuel McIntire sold at auction for $662,500. The price set a world record for Federal furniture. McIntyre was one of the first architects in the United States, and his work represents a prime example of early Federal-style architecture. Elias Hasket Derby, Salem's wealthiest merchant and thought to be America's first millionaire, and his wife, Elizabeth Crowninshield, purchased the set of eight chairs from McIntire. Samuel McIntyre's house and workshop were located at 31 Summer Street in what is now the Samuel McIntire Historic District.
  • 2012
    • Waterfront redevelopment – In June 2012, the $1.75 million was awarded by the state of Massachusetts and will launch a first phase of dredging and construction of a 100-foot (30 m) extension of the pier; a harborwalk to improve pedestrian access; and other lighting, landscaping and paving improvements. Dredging will allow the city to attract other ferries, excursion vessels and cruise ships of up to 250 feet (76 m).
    • The District, superior courthouses have was emptied and remained so since 2019 when the building was demolished.
MBTA car 1801 approaching Salem
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Bilevel rail car approaching Salem
  • 2013
    • President Barack Obama on January 10, 2013, signed executive order HR1339 "which designates the City of Salem, Massachusetts, as the birthplace of the U.S. National Guard.
    • Salem has eight stations where drivers can charge their electric cars. Four are located at the Museum Place Mall near the Peabody Essex Museum and the other four are in the South Harbor garage across the street from the Salem Waterfront Hotel. The program started in January 2013 and will be free of charge for two years, allowing people to charge their electric cars and other electric vehicles for up to six hours. This program was paid for by a grant from the state of Massachusetts due to Salem's status as a Massachusetts Green Community.
    • Dominick Pangallo was the Salem Chief of Staff for Salem from 2013 until 2023.
    • Salem State University campus – $74 million, 122,000-square-foot library at. The new library will have more than 150 public computers and 1,000 seats of study space, from tables and desks to lounge chairs scattered throughout the building.
    • Salem State University campus – $15 million 40,000-square-foot, two-story, glass-walled facility at the existing athletic O’Keefe Center complex. The new fitness facility will provide—in addition to more exercise equipment, two basketball courts, a yoga studio, and a conference/lecture hall that can accommodate an audience of 1000—a place where students can gather, connect and find a bit of respite from the rigors of their academic studies.
    • Salem State University campus – Construction announcement of a $36 to $42 million Dorn for 350 to 400 students. A construction start in the spring of 2014 is the goal and to have the new residence hall open in 2015.
    • Salem will be getting a new state-of-the-art, 20,000-square-foot Senior Center. In March 2013, The Salem Senior Center was finalized in March 2013 by the Mayor of Salem & the Salem city councilors it is official with a $4.9 million bond – the final OK needed to build a community/senior center as part of a private/public development at Boston and Bridge streets. The Salem Senior Center will include parking for 374 automobiles.
  • 2014
    • The Coal-Fired Power Plant is Decommissioned, paving the way for a total transformation of the harbor in Salem.
    • In October 2014, the much anticipated Salem MBTA Parking Garage opened."This project has been 20 years in the making," said Mayor Kim Driscoll. "I was an intern in the planning department, this would've been 1988 ... people were talking about it then. Seriously, that long ago. That's a long time ago." The 714-space garage, built on a former MBTA parking lot, is just one part of the $44 million project to remake the station that began in July 2013. The 714-space garage, built on a former MBTA parking lot, is just one part of the $44 million project to remake the station that began in July 2013 "This project has been 20 years in the making," said Mayor Kim Driscoll. "I was an intern in the planning department, this would've been late 1988.
Chestnut Street in Salem, Massachusetts. (river stones, brick sidewalk)
(river stones with the brick sidewalk) Chestnut Street, In 1981 the City of Salem named its largest historic district after Samuel McIntire. Encompassing Broad, Chestnut, Essex, Federal and connecting streets. Chestnut Street is one of the oldest planned streets in America. Initially laid out in 1796, and then widened in 1803 to 80-feet
  • 2015
    • Footprint Power has cleared the last major hurdle on its way to building a $1 billion natural gas-fired plant on Salem Harbor.
    • In June, officials hold groundbreaking for Salem's $1B Footprint power plant.
    • Tourists from all over the world make up the over one million people visit Salem annually, and bring in over $100 million annually in tourism spending.
    • Joshua Ward House, a historic Federal style brick house, built in 1784 and interior woodwoork was done by noted Salem builder and woodworker Samuel McIntire is turned into an 11-room boutique Hotel. The building is owned by Salem residents Kimberly and Todd Waller.
Main entrance to Salem station, January 2016
Main entrance to Salem station, January 2016
  • 2016
    • Peabody Essex Museum's $49 million expansion proposal got critical support from the Design Review Board Wednesday night as the project draws closer to breaking ground.
    • Salem Harbor has four stops for 2016 new Salem Water Shuttle: Blaney Street, Congress Street, Salem Willows and Winter Island.
  • 2017
    • The Registry of Deeds is proposed to be moved to the old Superior Court and County Commissioner buildings downtown. But the proposal has opposition.
    • A Boutique 44-room hotel to open on the pedestrian mall in downtown with a roofdeck restaurant and street level café & bowling alley and a ground-floor coffee shop in the hotel's lobby with seasonal outdoor seating off the Essex Street entrance.
    • Salem State University will open its $18 million Sophia Gordon Center for the Creative and Performing Arts on April 2.
    • John Legend was honored by Salem State University with an Advocate For Social Justice Award. Based on his extensive efforts to make a difference in the lives of others, Legend will be the inaugural recipient of the Salem Advocate for Social Justice award, presented by Salem Award Foundation for Human Rights and Social Justice.
    • The City of Salem launched a new and improved bike sharing program with Zagster.
  • 2018
    • The City of Salem received a federal grant for $3,400,000 for a second ferry to operate out of Salem Harbor. The grant was provided by the United States Department of Transportation
    • A$50 million development project on the corner of Washington and Dodge Streets to build a 110-Room Hampton Inn City officials estimate a $200,000 boost in new hotel occupancy tax revenues from the project with City Planning Director Tom Daniel said Maine Course Hospitality Group is seeking foundation and building permits for the project, which is being built on property bordering Dodge and Washington streets.
  • 2019
    • Opening of the Peabody Essex Museum's $200 million‘Gallery Expansion Project.’ the PEM opened the 40,000-sq-ft Wing and 13 New Galleries and Exhibitions in September 2019, allocated from the museum's ambitious $650 million Advancement Campaign, launched in 2011.
    • Urban Spaces/Diamond Sinacori Break Ground on Salem Condo Complex is a $20 million project titles 'BRIX' will have 61 Residences and a mix of Retail to Former Courthouse location at 65 Washington Street, a few minute walk to the Salem Commuter Rail Station with train and bus service to Boston.
Just outside Topmast Studio at the Custom House, (built, 1805) and is located at 8 Central Street Salem, MA 01970
Topmast Studio at the Custom House in Downtown Salem off Essex Street (built, 1805). En plein air artist, Gold leaf & Wood carver John Pydynkowski at his studio
  • 2020
    • Hilton Hotels & Resorts under the brand Hampton Inn Salem with apartments opens in downtown.
    • The City of Salem launched a microtransit network called the Salem Skipper in December 2020. an on-demand transit network is operated by Via allowing riders to share the same vehicle for approximately the same price as a MBTA bus ticket. Passengers can hail a ride on their mobile device with the Salem Skipper app, or by calling a dispatcher.
  • 2021
    • An on-demand transit network is operated by Via and allows riders to share the same vehicle for approximately the same price as a MBTA bus ticket. Passengers can hail a ride on their mobile device with the Salem Skipper app, or by calling a dispatcher. a brand new ridesharing service serving the entire historic city.
    • Salem's historic courthouse and commissioner's building, as well as plans to add 110 units of housing in an 8-story building next to the Salem MBTA Commuter Rail station. Winn won a bid awarded by the Salem Redevelopment Authority to revitalize and incorporate Salem's historic courthouse buildings in the redevelopment project.

Recent documents submitted to the Community Preservation Committee show the entire project – the court buildings, crescent lot, and everything between – will cost more than $63 million to build.

    • A New Luxury Condo Building named BRIX opens with a lottery for the 6 affordable homeownership units being built at Brix Condominiums.
  • 2022
    • The Governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker, made a statement that $30 million will go to Salem State University to redesign the campus and modernize areas.
    • The City of Salem now required to provide ballots in Spanish with 20% of the population Spanish speaking, a first for the Witch City.

"The director of the Census has determined that the city of Salem is subject to the bilingual election requirements of Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act ... with respect to persons of Hispanic heritage," wrote Bert Russ, a deputy chief at the DOJ, in a recent letter to the city.

    • Pickleball is now at the Salem Willows with new tennis courts and covered parking. This project was funded paid by the Witch City's $30 million "Signature Parks" program that was launched in 2020 to boost Salem's most prominent Open space reserve ahead of its 400th anniversary in 2026.
    • The House of Seven Gables on Turner Street received a state grant on a coastal resilience plan thanks to the Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker. This $509,919 grant "Preserving History: Assessments and Climate Adaptations at the House of Seven Gables".
    • In October 2022 42 acres on the Salem waterfront is sold for $30 million. This is latest milestone toward the development of the state's second major offshore wind port terminal. The Salem Harbor Wind Terminal is a public-private partnership between Crowley and the City of Salem, with AVANGRID serving as the port's anchor tenant for Offshore wind power construction. Commonwealth Wind and Park City Wind projects are the main companies.
    • In November Kim Driscoll the Mayor of Salem won a desk on Beacon Hill as Massachusetts Brand New Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. Gov.-elect Maura Healey and Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Driscoll plan to hold their inaugural celebration at TD Garden on the night of Thursday, January 5, 2023."The January 5th inauguration will mark the first time an all-women ticket is sworn in to lead a state in American history, and make Healey the first lesbian Governor in the country," Healey's inaugural team announced. "Through their inaugural events, Healey and Driscoll plan to honor the people and movements that helped pave the way to make this historic moment possible." Healey and Lt. Governor-elect Driscoll attached the theme "Moving the Ball Forward" to their 2022 Inauguration, a reference to their time as college and professional basketball players.
  • 2023
    • Robert McCarthy, a three-time City Council president is now the acting Salem Mayor. This City position was vacated by Kim Driscoll. resignation to become lieutenant governor of Massachusetts. Salem Mayor Robert McCarthy was the 51st and then Dominick Pangallo was voted in, 52nd Mayor of Salem on May 16, 2023.
    • October tourism in Salem 2023 was up 35% from 2019. about one million people visited Historic downtown Salem.
  • 2024
    • In April of 2024, a cityordinancebanning camping on public property passed theCity Council."It’s had an undeniable impact on the surrounding community, and it’s been a significant impact on city resources," Mayor Dominick Pangallo said. "Police. Fire. Medical response. Public works for cleanup on the regular. But most importantly, it’s been bad for the people who live there." The Salem City Council passed the ban on camping on city property by a 10–1 vote but removed fines for unhoused individuals. At the end of June 2024 Salem & Massachusetts State Police cleared camp.
    • The Derby Wharf stabilization and repair project is being funded by the National Park Service.The wharf stabilization and repair project will make repairs necessary to stabilize Derby and Central wharves and provide additional protection against future erosion. Work on this project is scheduled to begin on May 28 along the east side bulkhead of Derby Wharf and will continue throughout the summer and early fall. The project is anticipated to be completed by winter 2024. Derby Wharf, built in 1762, and Central Wharf, constructed in 1790, are on the National Register of Historic Places and are National Historic Landmarks.
    • The Salem station on the Salem is the busiest commuter rail station outside of Boston and is now building a 2nd Commuter Rail station in South Salem.This is a $25,000,000 station will be situated between Canal Street and Jefferson Avenue to service Salem State University, Mass General Brigham Salem Hospital and over 30 acres of underutilized property that can support transit-oriented development.
    • Overwheled with the number of walking tours & the tsunami of tourists every October, The Mayors Office with the City Council increased from $10 to $350 the cost of a Walking Tour Guide to be licensed. 35x cost of a Guide should allow to have some extra money to enforce the volume of Tourists that overwhelm the city annually.
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