Salem Exhibit To Trace Witch City's Last 100 Years In New Exhibit

SALEM, MA — Salem State University will present "Mapping a Century of Salem, 1926 – 2026" from June 18 to mid-September at Old Town Hall in downtown Salem.

The free public history exhibit is part of Salem's quadricentennial celebration and will examine how the city changed socially, economically and physically between its 1926 tercentenary and today.

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Developed by Salem State University’s College of Arts and Sciences and Frederick E. Berry Library and Archives, the exhibit brings together oral histories, maps, historical photographs, and other materials. It is intended to interpret the city's history through personal stories of people who live in, work in, or have had an impact on Salem over the past century, while also allowing the public to contribute their own stories.

"Salem's history is often discussed through a few familiar narratives," SSU President John Keenan said. "This exhibit intends to broaden that conversation by focusing on the lived experiences of a variety of residents across the past 100 years, while also providing opportunities for visitors to share their own Salem experiences and connections. The exhibit is not only about buildings and events, but about Salem's people, including one of my mentors, Chief Justice Sam Zoll."

The exhibit will include sections on World War II, urban renewal, tourism, migration and the immigrant experience.

One feature, the Latino Hertitage Project of Greater Salem, was developed in partnership with the Latino Leadership Coalition, the Welcome Immigrant Network, Salem State’s North Shore Policy Lab and other community partners. According to the university, the project includes oral histories, photographs, video interviews and digital story maps about immigrant experiences across the greater Salem area, with special attention to The Point neighborhood.

"Over the past two years, it has been an incredible experience for my students and I to work closely with local Latino leaders who collected the stories of our immigrant neighbors about their journeys from 14 countries that converge in Salem," said Salem State professor Thomas Piñeros Shields, director of the North Shore Policy Lab. "The Latino Heritage Project helps to elevate voices of everyday people that are often missing from history."

The exhibit also looks at Salem's mid-century redevelopment efforts, including urban renewal, historic preservation, and downtown revitalization, and traces the rise of the city's "Witch City" tourism identity.

Visitors will also be invited to respond to prompts and share memories connected to Salem's neighborhoods, institutions, businesses, and public spaces.

The second-floor exhibit will be open Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Fridays through Mondays from 12 to 4 p.m.