History – Page 14 – Salem Main Streets

Is Salem THE Halloween Destination?

Sep 212015

We know Salem MA is and you know it is, but USA Today wants to know which community is the Best Halloween Destination. It has issued with 10Best.com a reach out to readers, asking everyone to vote once a day for their favorite in several Halloween categories, the most important of which is obviously Best Halloween Destination.

Salem naturally made the cut to the finalist group from which fans can select during the on-line voting taking place now through Oct. 12. Winners to be announced on Oct. 16.

We realize this is more a popularity contest based upon emotion, rather than a scientific survey based upon “number of people visiting” or “dollars spent,” but it’s all good. When you’re talking about Best Halloween Destination, a win in a popularity vote is impressive in itself.

So, who are the competition? As of press time, Salem MA (see scene below) was #2, ahead of:

New Orleans
Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Orlando
Tucson, Ariz.
Anoka, Minn.
Transylvania, Romania
Key West
Chicago

And who is/was currently the front runner as THE place to get all spooked out for Halloween?

Derry, Northern Ireland

“The fount from which Halloween springs can be found in Ireland’s Celtic roots. Born of the pagan autumn festival called Samhain, the beginning of the harvest and a time when the spirits were believed to be able to return to the plane of the living. Each year in this region, one of the world’s biggest Halloween celebrations creates more than enough joyful noise – music, fireworks and the like – to scare them back from whence they came.”

That’s what we are up against. Celtic roots.

It’s all in fun, with some bragging rights on the table. Join the conversation. Vote for Salem

Derby Wharf Exhibits Should They Stay or Be Deep-Sixed?

History, Salem Event No Responses »

Sep 202015

The National Park Service is looking to possibly shake up the look of Derby Wharf at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and it wants your input.

Residents & tourists alike have come upon “interpretive exhibits” along Derby Wharf which consist of five units of vertical text/image panels, a small mast and yard arm, an outdoor stage, and a collection of eight hands-on activities. They were installed in 2010. But time & tide (and weather) have taken their toll on them.

According to the NPS website:

The National Park Service proposes to remove or modify a collection of outdoor interpretive exhibits on Derby Wharf at Salem Maritime National Historic Site in Massachusetts. The principle component of the proposed action is the removal of exhibits that are damaged, inoperable, in poor repair or potentially unsafe for public use. A portion of the exhibits not meeting this criteria are also being considered for removal due to their effects on the park viewshed and visitor experience.

The questions posed are:

1. Do the exhibits enhance or detract from the visitor experience and views along the wharf?
2. Should the outdoor stage adjacent to Derby Beach be removed or relocated? If so, why?

The Salem Maritime National Historic Site was designated in 1937 as the first National Historic Site in the National Park system. The nine-acre site includes the homes of merchants and mariners, the Salem Custom House in which the famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne worked, and a replica of the three-masted cargo vessel Friendship of Salem.

The time to offer comments ends on 9/22/15. How do you feel about those exhibits?

Zapraszamy – Celebration of Polish Culture & Heritage in Salem

History, Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping No Responses »

Sep 122015

Think back to when you were younger and looked forward to various street festivals held by churches and neighborhood nationalities. The sights, sounds and smells were invigorating. This Sunday, 9/13/15 relive some of those memories at the 2015 Salem Polish Fest, taking place on the grounds of St. John the Baptist Church, 34 St. Peter Street.

Come alone, invite a friend, and most certainly bring the family; the Salem Polish Fest will be held from noon to 8pm, rain or shine. And the inside activities will be in an air-conditioned hall!

Remember the food? Pierogi, Potato Placki, Grilled Kielbasa, Golabki, Polish Ice, Funnel Cakes, Polish Fries. You might find some of these among the delicious Polish food and baked goods for sale, along with beer and a full bar.

But that’s not all. It is most importantly a celebration of Polish culture & heritage. Expect to meet costumed dancers, hear ethnic music, and see gifts & souvenirs from Poland.

Speaking of culture and heritage, according to an article by Washington Mazurkerwitz and Veronica Ryewhiskey entitled “Recollections of the Polish Community in Salem” there was an “influx of Polish immigrants to Salem beginning in the 1890s. Many Polish immigrants sought work at the Naumkeag Mills and the many other textile and leather factories in Salem.”

They go on to point out that “Polish immigrants played a vital role in the history of the Naumkeag Mills in particular, and in the life of the city as well.”

So it is only fair that we celebrate their culture & heritage with them.

There will be games and attractions for children; raffles & prizes for adults.

There is no admission charge. Bring your appetite. Dobrej zabawy.

Enthusiastic Volunteers Wanted in Salem For October Information Booth

History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News No Responses »

Sep 082015

When visitors come to Salem MA in October, they do so armed not only with a printed map and an on-line set of references on cell phone or tablet, they also have direct, face to face contact with the Salem Main Streets (SMS) corps of volunteers whose goal is to get visitors where they want to go in town and enjoy the visit. We’d like you to join our team.

Last year alone the SMS volunteers assisted over 20,000 visitors during the weekends and holidays in October.

“We are looking for volunteers with enthusiasm for Salem to help greet visitors at the Downtown Salem Information Booth in October,” states Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director.

Volunteers will staff the booth which will sit at the beginning of the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall; they will hand out maps and provide information about Salem’s wide variety of attractions, events, and businesses.

All volunteers are asked to be available for a minimum of two shifts (each shift is for two hours) and will be required to complete a one hour orientation session. The orientation will take place on Saturday, September 19 at 9:30 am at the National Park Service Regional Visitor Center.

Volunteers will be updated on new October events and there will be time for returning volunteers to share insights and information with those new to the program. A free trolley tour will be available before the informational session, courtesy of Salem Trolley.

Volunteers are needed for the following dates: October 1 (Parade night), 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12 (Columbus Day Weekend), 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 (Halloween Night), and November 1.

Adds Kylie, “We are also looking for multi-lingual volunteers to assist the many international visitors who come to Salem. If you have availability during some of these days, enjoy helping visitors by showing them your enthusiasm for our cultured and historic city, and want to make it fun and easy for visitors to explore all of Salem’s sites and attractions, please join us!”

For more information or to become a volunteer please contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets’ Executive Director, at 978-744-0004 x15 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org. This program is a partnership between Salem Main Streets, the National Park Service, the City of Salem, Destination Salem, and the Salem Chamber of Commerce.

Today See “Yesterday” During 17th Century Saturday Event

History, Salem Event No Responses »

Sep 042015

Have you seen this house? Well, of course you’ve “seen” The Gedney House as you walk or drive through Salem. It is located at 21 High Street. But have you been inside it?

If you have not, today, Sept. 5th, is your chance, courtesy of Historic New England. You are invited to visit Gedney House during Seventeenth Century Saturdays and see why it is not your typical historic house. View original post-and-beam timbers, brick nogging, and early decorative finishes in Salem’s second oldest historic house.

The house is significant not only for its framing, but also for its evidence of early decorative finishes in the hall chamber and parlor. Three successive color schemes, the earliest of which is believed to date to the house’s construction (The Gedney House was originally built in 1665 by Eleazer Gedney and his new wife, Elizabeth Turner), were discovered in the hall chamber. This evidence was preserved by the addition of plaster ceilings, beam casings, and paneled walls by the mid-eighteenth century.

For a full history of the house from being a single family residence to an investment property to a rental property and eventually a museum, go to this Historic New England web page.

Tours are $5 for adults and free for Historic New England members and Salem residents. The museum will be open from 11am – 3pm with tours available on the hour. Space on tours is limited due to the structure of the house.

For more details call 978-744-0440 or visit www.historicnewengland.org . The Gedney House will be open one final time to the public in 2015 on October 3rd for the final Seventeenth Century Saturday.

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