Washington (March 27, 2023) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) are introducing legislation that would redesignate the Salem Maritime National Historic Site as the Salem Maritime National Historical Park.

Salem Maritime was established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site to be included in the National Park System. Redesignating the site as a National Historical Park will help to attract more visitors to Salem and allow the National Park Service to more easily obtain funding for exhibits and signage.

“Salem Maritime is one of the Commonwealth’s key historical landmarks—it documents American slavery, maritime history, and the fight for freedom,” said Senator Markey. “Redesignating Salem Maritime as a National Historical Park will reflect its place in our nation’s history, preserve its many resources, and help bring more visitors in the future to learn from Salem’s past. This will improve our cultural and historical understanding and bolster Massachusetts’s tourism economy. By redesignating and supporting this park, we can uplift Black voices and tell Salem’s full story.”

“Salem Maritime contains more than a single historical feature. In fact, the stories at Salem Maritime span more than four centuries of American History with recent scholarship uncovering connections related to slavery, emancipation, Black activism, and entrepreneurship,” said Congressman Moulton. “Increasing visitation to Salem Maritime is important to supporting Salem's tourism economy, especially since the historical themes of Salem Maritime encourage people to visit beyond just the month of October.” 

“Historical parks are perceived by the public as more interesting and significant,” said Annie Harris, CEO of Essex Heritage, the regional non-profit that partners with the National Park Service on programs and visitor services in Salem and Saugus. “Paul DePrey, the former superintendent at Salem Maritime, frequently stated that national historic sites, which were redesignated as national historical parks, typically experienced a 20-25% increase in visitation.”

“As the proud daughter of a Navy veteran and a longtime Salem resident, I strongly support efforts to redesignate Salem Maritime as a National Historical Park. This would be an important step to recognize Salem’s significant maritime history – especially as the 400th anniversary of Salem’s founding and the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution is approaching in 2026,” said Lieutenant Governor and former Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll. “Governor Healey and I are grateful to Senator Markey and Congressman Moulton for their commitment to honoring military history and Salem’s history.”

The site currently encompasses nine acres of land and 12 historic structures on Salem Harbor. Its downtown visitor center introduces thousands of visitors to Salem and the Essex National Heritage Area.

The legislation would also require that the Secretary of the Interior conduct a Special Resource Study of sites and resources associated with maritime history, military history, and coastal defense in Salem and its vicinity. This may provide the City with additional federal grant funding in the future.

“Salem’s role in the military history of our nation is fascinating,” continued Congressman Moulton. “From the first muster in 1636 to the significant role Salem and adjacent communities played in the American Revolution, there is a great deal of history that is not as well known.”

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