In Its Present Moment, Salem Looks To Its Past

Salem has faced hard times in the past - fires, storms, epidemics, wars, economic crisis, and more - but throughout these dark periods, the City’s residents displayed collective strength, resiliency, and perseverance. As the community once again faces a time of fear and uncertainty during the present COVID-19 outbreak, these stories from the City’s past can help to inspire and unite, as we seek to overcome our current challenges.

Mayor Kim Driscoll has joined with the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem State University, The Salem News and a team of local historians to share these stories through individual websites, blogs, and, collectively, through #SalemTogether and the Preserving Salem website at preservingsalem.com/salemtogether.

Every Monday a new theme will be explored on the website, beginning on April 13^th with stories from the Great Salem Fire of 1914.

“Salem has been through tough times before,” said Mayor Driscoll. “We came together in order to overcome these past challenges and we need to remember that we can do it again. As a nearly 400 year old city, being able to lean on our past to help inspire, enrich, and teach us as we move forward is a gift that we can share with today’s residents. I’m grateful to all of the partners in this effort for their willingness to help tell these important stories at this difficult time.”

“The past is a great teacher to those who pay attention,” said Brian Kennedy, PEM's Rose-Marie and Eijk Van Otterloo Director and CEO. “Seeking to learn from history allows us to make better meaning of our present moment. Salem's history is especially rich and instructive and PEM is honored to contribute its staff and collection resources to the #SalemTogether effort.”