Salem Maritime National Historical Park

Following the American Revolution, Salem was one of the most prosperous communities of the early republic. Daring and skilled maritime merchants traveled the globe, controlling valuable trade markets with the West Indies, Europe, Asia, and Indonesia. In 1938, Salem Maritime became the first ever National Historic Site incorporated into the National Park Service. On this walking tour, we’ll visit historic buildings and structures that span over 300 years of history.

The history of this coastal region includes stories of hard work, noble ideals and freedom. These narratives become less romantic and more difficult to understand when we include the story of slavery. On this walking tour, we’ll explore how enslaved labor in the West Indies fueled colonial New England’s economy and examine the story of a well-known Salem merchant, Richard Derby, to consider the opportunities slavery afforded white colonists.