Salem Forges Sister City Bond With English City for Quadricentennial

SALEM MA — The Witch City is commemorating its quadricentennial year by establishing a Sister City relationship with East Budleigh, England.

This move formalizes a connection rooted in the city's founding by Roger Conant 400 years ago.

Salem is marking its 400th anniversary throughout 2026 with Salem 400+, celebrating the legacy of Roger Conant. Conant, known as a tradesman, peacemaker, and community builder, founded the settlement in 1626, predating the United States' 250th anniversary in 2026.

Salem resident Karen Scalia initiated the sister city discussions. In June 2025, Scalia delivered a letter from Mayor Pangallo to the East Budleigh with Bicton Parish Council, proposing the historic connection.

The East Budleigh Council unanimously agreed to the proposal.

On Thursday, the Salem City Council voted to officially formalize the Sister City relationship in Salem.

Conant was born in East Budleigh in April 1592. He led a group of English colonists to what would become Salem in 1626, arriving on the ship Arbella. Conant served as the first governor until 1628 and continued as a town leader, including as a selectman and a representative to the colony’s legislature.

His leadership contributed to the colony's prosperity and laid the groundwork for Salem's future.

"There has been tremendous interest within the East Budleigh community in celebrating Roger Conant's achievements," John Tresidder, Chair of the East Budleigh Parish Council, said. "We are delighted to support this historic anniversary and to recognize the enduring connection between East Budleigh and Salem through our twinning."

Mayor Dominick Pangallo filed the resolution with the Salem City Council to establish East Budleigh as a Sister City.

The connection will be celebrated during the upcoming Food at 400+ festival in June 2026. Representatives from East Budleigh and the British Consulate-General in Boston, including Roger Conant's direct descendant, celebrity chef Scott Conant, will participate.

"Salem 400+ honors not only our complex history, but also the values of peace, courage, and cooperation that continue to shape our city," Pangallo said. "Roger Conant is central to Salem’s story, and we are proud to celebrate that legacy alongside our friends in East Budleigh.

"We are thrilled to commemorate our milestone anniversary by formalizing this relationship, and we look forward to the next 400 years of friendship between our communities.”

East Budleigh will host its first Peacemaker Festival from May 15–17, 2026, to honor its native son and commemorate the 400th anniversary of Conant’s founding of Salem. The Bishop of Exeter will address the festival, which will also feature a Celebration of Village Music.

These events will be recorded and shared with Salem in June.