Historic Salem Inc. (HSI) was founded in 1944 to save the Corwin House. Known popularly as the Witch House, this is the only building extant in Salem with a connection to the witch trials of 1692. Fittingly, HSI’s offices are right next door in the Nathaniel Bowditch House.
HSI is a private, non-profit advocacy group dedicated to preserving Salem’s historic resources and educating the community on their value. Our mission today is to identify endangered sites, raise funds to preserve them, and contribute to the design of new city projects to help insure historical integrity.
Since its inception, Historic Salem has been instrumental in establishing official historic districts within the city and nominating several landmarks to the National Register of Historic Landmarks. It has helped to save the Wendt House (1783) and the Pope House (1740), a rare survivor of Salem’s Quaker community.
Today, our efforts are focused on the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center and historic court complex – the oldest court system in continuous service in the western hemisphere—and on the conversion to residential and commercial use of the Salem Jail and jail keeper’s house. The granite structure, was built in 1811/1813 and was the nation’s oldest jail fulfilling its original function up until 1982. By special arrangement, one of the historic jail cells will be on view as a legacy site during the tour.
In addition to ongoing programs, such as providing house histories and plaques, identifying Salem’s most endangered buildings, and presenting annual preservation awards, HIS hosts a variety of social and fundraising events that welcome newcomers to our community.
Learn more at www.HistoricSalem.org
Better yet, join HSI today!
