Salem Maritime National Historical Park

Salem Maritime National Historical Park Salem Maritime, a unit of the National Park Service, was the first National Historic Site in the US. Please be considerate of other fan's opinions.
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Welcome to the Salem Maritime National Historic Site page. We hope this will become a place where fans feel comfortable sharing information and experiences about the park with one another. While this is an open forum, it is also a family friendly one, so please keep your comments and wall posts clean. In addition to keeping it family friendly, we ask that you follow our posting guidelines

here. If you do not comply, your message will be removed. We do not allow graphic, obscene, explicit or racial comments or submissions, nor do we allow comments that are abusive, hateful or intended to defame anyone or any organization. We do not allow solicitations or advertisements. This includes promotion or endorsement of any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. Such posts and/or links are subject to deletion. People who continue to post such content and/or links may be subject to page participation restrictions and/or removal from the page. We do not allow attempts to defame or defraud any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. We do not allow comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity. You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided. Posting of external links on this site that are intended as advertising (or to drive traffic to websites unrelated to Salem Maritime National Historic Site), or do not contribute to dialog and discussions about Salem Maritime National Historic Site may be deleted. People who continue to post such links may be subject to page participation restrictions and/or removal from the page. External links do not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. National Park Service or the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The Custom House and Narbonne House are currently closed to the public on August 9 due to extreme indoor heat. Please vi...
08/09/2026

The Custom House and Narbonne House are currently closed to the public on August 9 due to extreme indoor heat. Please visit park staff at the Salem Armory Regional NPS Visitor Center and Waite and Peirce Park Store for information and Ranger-led activities.

The Custom House and Narbonne House are currently closed to the public today, August 8 due to extreme indoor heat. Pleas...
08/08/2026

The Custom House and Narbonne House are currently closed to the public today, August 8 due to extreme indoor heat. Please visit park staff at the Salem Armory Regional NPS Visitor Center and Waite and Peirce Park Store for information and Ranger-led activities.

NPS Photo

UPDATE - The Custom House and Narbonne House will be closed to the public for the rest of the today, August 7th, due to ...
08/07/2026

UPDATE - The Custom House and Narbonne House will be closed to the public for the rest of the today, August 7th, due to extreme indoor heat. Please visit park staff at the Salem Armory Regional NPS Visitor Center, and Waite and Peirce Park Store for information and Ranger-led activities.

NPS Photo

Today's the day! Celebrate Salem’s rich history at the Salem Heritage Days Parade and Festival, a vibrant partnership be...
08/01/2026

Today's the day! Celebrate Salem’s rich history at the Salem Heritage Days Parade and Festival, a vibrant partnership between Salem Maritime National Historical Park and the City of Salem! The day begins with the long‑awaited return of the Heritage Days Parade from 10:00–11:30 AM as we celebrate Salem’s 400th anniversary and America’s 250th anniversary. Line the streets along Lafayette and Derby to experience a timeline of Salem’s past, brought to life with community spirit and historical pride.

From 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Salem Maritime transforms into a lively waterfront festival packed with things to see, taste, and explore. Step aboard the PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II for free deck tours, watch skilled craftspeople share historical demonstrations, and enjoy free kayak and paddleboard rentals in Salem Harbor. The Custom House will be open for visitors, food trucks will offer delicious choices all afternoon, and actor Paul Riopelle will bring Nathaniel Hawthorne to life with performances at 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00 PM.

The excitement continues with the Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta from 1:00–3:00 PM, where teams race creatively crafted cardboard boats inspired by Revolutionary and local history. Live music fills the air from 1:00–6:00 PM with performances by Sea Dogs, Krewe De Groove, and The Undercover Band. Cap off the afternoon with lawn games, laughter, and waterfront views. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Salem Heritage Days Parade and Festival is the perfect way to celebrate community, creativity, and the stories that shaped Salem. Join us for an unforgettable day!


NPS Photo

The PRIDE OF BALTIMORE has arrived!Step aboard the PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II tomorrow, August 1, during the 2026 Salem Herit...
07/31/2026

The PRIDE OF BALTIMORE has arrived!

Step aboard the PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II tomorrow, August 1, during the 2026 Salem Heritage Days Parade and Festival. The ship is a historically accurate sailing replica of an early 19th century Baltimore Clipper ship.

Pride’s mission is to promote historical maritime education in every port of call. Visitors will be able to board this amazing ship, explore the deck, and learn about life at sea. The crew will share the vessel’s history and what it’s like to sail a historical ship in modern times!

The festivities begin with the return of the Heritage Days Parade at 10 AM, traveling from Salem State University’s O’Keefe Center to Salem Maritime National Historical Park. Following the parade, the fun continues with a festival along the waterfront from 11 AM to 6 PM. Cheer on your friends and neighbors at the annual Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta, learn from historical demonstrators and craftspeople, try new food from local food trucks, and so much more!

To learn more visit https://go.nps.gov/SalemHeritageDays or www.salem400.org.

Photo Credit: NPS

"This old town of Salem—my native place, though I have dwelt much away from it, both in boyhood and maturer years—posses...
07/30/2026

"This old town of Salem—my native place, though I have dwelt much away from it, both in boyhood and maturer years—possesses, or did possess, a hold on my affections, the force of which I have never realized during my seasons of actual residence here."
Nathaniel Hawthorne, "The Scarlet Letter"

Meet Nathaniel Hawthorne during Saturday's Heritage Days Parade and Festival! Join actor Paul Riopelle at the Custom House where Hawthorne worked to learn about one of Salem's most famous residents. Paul will be performing three pieces of writing from Hawthorne, including a selection from "The Scarlet Letter." He will also be available to chat about Hawthorne's writings and pose for photos.

Learn more about the Salem Heritage Days Parade and Festival at https://go.nps.gov/SalemHeritageDays


Photo Credit: Paul Riopelle

07/30/2026

Central Wharf has been reopened to the public. All park grounds are currently open.

The open ship hours at LADY MARYLAND originally scheduled for today from 11 AM to 1 PM have been canceled. We apologize ...
07/28/2026

The open ship hours at LADY MARYLAND originally scheduled for today from 11 AM to 1 PM have been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience and will share any additional updates on our social media and website.

Photo Credit: Living Classrooms Foundation

LADY MARYLAND, a pungy schooner, will be docked at Salem Maritime National Historical Park's Central Wharf from July 28 ...
07/27/2026

LADY MARYLAND, a pungy schooner, will be docked at Salem Maritime National Historical Park's Central Wharf from July 28 through 31. The ship "was built in 1986 to provide students with a hands-on opportunity to sail an historic vessel and learn about the ecology, history and economics of the Chesapeake Bay and the waters off the northeast coast of the United States."

Want to step aboard this unique ship? Visit LADY MARYLAND on Tuesday, July 28 from 11 AM to 1 PM to learn more about the ship and its mission.

Photo Credit: Living Classrooms Foundation

In 1893, the MINDORO, the last tall ship of the Golden Age of Sail, docked at Derby Wharf for the last time. It is lost...
07/26/2026

In 1893, the MINDORO, the last tall ship of the Golden Age of Sail, docked at Derby Wharf for the last time. It is lost to time if cardboard boats rode out to mark this historic moment, but that was not the end of Salem's maritime time history, not even close.

On August 1st, Salem Maritime National Historical Park continues the age of fortune and glory with the celebrated return of the Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta! Join us at 1:00 PM during the Heritage Days Festival as we continue to write Salem’s long maritime story.

Learn more about the Salem Heritage Days Parade and Festival at https://go.nps.gov/SalemHeritageDays


NPS Photo

Address

160 Derby St
Salem, MA
01970

Telephone

+19787401650

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