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Salem Maritime National Historic SiteThe dining room of the Derby House showcases elegant 18th century furniture and silver.
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Salem Maritime National Historic Site
Operating Hours & Seasons
 
 
The Salem Visitor Center used to be the Salem Armory.

NPS photo.

The Salem Visitor Center used to be the Salem Armory.

The National Park Service Regional Visitor Center in Salem

The Regional Visitor Center on New Liberty Street is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, seven days a week.

The Visitor Center is closed on January 1, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25.

The Regional Visitor Center offers a free orientation film on the history of Salem and Essex County, Massachusetts, as well as exhibits and information about the area.

 

Visitor Center Orientation Film:
Where Past is Present

This 27 minute orientation film on the history of Essex County, Massachusetts is close captioned. It is shown in the Regional Visitor Center at:

  • 9:25 AM
  • 10:15 AM
  • 11:00 AM
  • 12:00 PM
  • 1:00 PM
  • 2:00 PM
  • 3:00 PM
  • 4:00 PM

Translations in French, German, Spanish, and Russian are available. Please ask at the information desk for the translations.

Click here for more information about the Salem Regional Visitor Center.


 

 
The orientation center for Salem Maritime is located on Derby Street.

NPS photo

The Orientation Center for Salem Maritime is in an 18th century warehouse.

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

The Salem Maritime NHS Orientation Center is located at 193 Derby Street, and contains exhibits, an orientation film, and a small bookstore.

 

 

April 1, 2009 - November 30, 2009

Open Daily, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Closed Thanksgiving Day (November 26)

December 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009

Open Monday through Friday, 1:00 – 5:00
Open Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 – 5:00
Closed December 25

January 1, 2010 - February 28, 2010

Closed Monday through Friday
Open Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 – 5:00
Open February Vacation Week (February 15-19), 9:00 – 5:00
Closed January 1

March 1, 2010 - March 31, 2010

Open Monday through Friday, 1:00 – 5:00
Open Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 – 5:00

April 1, 2010 through October 31, 2010

Open Daily, 9:00 – 5:00

Salem Maritime National Historic Site is closed on January 1, Thanksgiving, and December 25.

 

Salem Maritime NHS Orientation Film:
To the Farthest Ports of the Rich East

This 18 minute orientation film on the history of Salem's maritime trade and traditions is shown at the Orientation Center every half hour when the building is open. When the orientation center is closed, To the Farthest Ports of the Rich East will be shown at the Salem Visitor Center at New Liberty Street.

 

Tours of Salem Maritime NHS

All tours are guided by National Park Rangers, and last approximately one hour.

Click here for the schedule of guided tours

Click here for tour fees

A reproduction of a seventeenth century chest on exhibit at the Regional Visitor Center
On exhibit at the Regional Visitor Center
find out about our permanent and rotating exhibits in the Regional Visitor Center
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detail of the Salem Maritime publication The Salem Armory
Download the latest Salem Maritime brochures
Self-guided walking tours of Salem and info about the site
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On a sunny day, a small boat motors past the 1871 lighthouse at the tip of Derby Wharf.  

Did You Know?
Salem native Captain John Derby was the first to bring news of the Battle of Lexington and Concord to England when he sailed from Derby Wharf in April 1775. In 1783, Captain John Derby was also the first person to bring news of the signing of the Treaty of Paris to America.

Last Updated: October 28, 2009 at 14:12 EST