Salem Historical Society

05/31/2026

If you've traveled along East Pershing Street recently, you've likely noticed the activity taking place in the garden behind the Schell Building.

Thanks to the generosity of many individuals who gave memorial gifts in honor of our former director, David Stratton, we are able to transform and enhance this special space. In recognition of his lasting impact, the garden will be named the David C. Stratton Memorial Garden.

The new garden design was created by David's longtime friend and master gardener, Gordon Dunn, and is being expertly brought to life by Smith Landscaping.

We are excited to share the finished results, which will further beautify our museum and provide an inviting space for our community to enjoy.

We are deeply grateful for the continued support of our local community, as well as the many friends across the country who stay connected with us. Your generosity and encouragement help make projects like this possible.

04/28/2026

We are very honored.

The Salem Historical Society and Museum in Salem, Ohio, actively preserves and interprets the city's significant role as an Underground Railroad hub, largely due to the strong anti-slavery ideologies of its early Quaker settlers. Salem was also home to the headquarters of the Western Anti-Slavery Society, which published the Anti-Slavery Bugle.

Established in 1947, the Historical Society now offers an extensive Underground Railroad exhibit and provides educational programming, including docent-led trolley tours that highlight ten extant safe houses and the lives of local allies. Salem ensures the stories of freedom seekers enroute to Canada remain a central part of the community's history.

The Salem Historical Society and Museum in Salem, Ohio is among 32 new listings added by the U.S. National Park Service to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. It joins more than 800 sites, facilities and programs already in the network that provide insight into the diverse experiences of freedom seekers who bravely escaped slavery and the allies who assisted them.

Image: Red trolley waiting for passengers on a street under blue sky.

04/10/2026

Don’t forget, Founders Day reservations must be made by April 21, 2026.

03/25/2026

Citizens Of Honor 2026

Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Our 2026 Citizens of Honor:

Gordon Dunn

Michele Mickey Weaver

Janis Yereb.

Location:
Salem Community Center

Doors open: 5:00 PM

Dinner: 6:00 PM

Reservations Required by April 21, 2026

Cost: $30 per person

For More Information and Reservations follow the link below.

03/05/2026

Underground Railroad Trolley Tours are scheduled for Saturday - March 21 at 10 am and Sunday - March 29 at 2 pm
Cost: $15 per person

To make a reservation, call 330-337-8514. Walk-ins are also welcome after reservations are met.

Parking is available in the municipal lot across from Lundy, and trolley loads at 239 South Lundy outside the gift shop.

Plan on arriving about 15 minutes early to make your payment and get seated on the trolley.

02/26/2026

Mark your calendars - June 20th, 2026
Details coming soon.

02/26/2026

The March Membership meeting for the Salem Historical Society, scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, has been cancel. Please plan on attending the April meeting scheduled for April 14th. The Society's by-laws have been revised and we will review proposed changes and vote on accepting said changes. Your input is important and your attendance will be appreciated. We look forward to seeing you in April.

02/18/2026

An Underground Railroad Trolley Tour is scheduled for Sunday Feb. 22nd at 2:00 PM.

Cost: $15 per person

To make a reservation, call 330-337-8514. Walk-ins are also welcome after reservations are met.

Parking is available in the municipal lot across from Lundy, and trolley loads at 239 South Lundy outside the gift shop.

Plan on arriving about 15 minutes early to make your payment and get seated on the trolley.

01/27/2026

For the safety of our staff and guests, The Salem Historical Society will remain closed until February 2nd, 2026.

We will also be extending the Curator’s Coloring Contest January deadline until February 7th, 2026 due to our office closure.

01/26/2026

Learn Salem’s history while having fun! There is still time to enter the January Curator’s Coloring Contest. This contest is open to all school age students. Each month one coloring contest winner will be awarded a one year membership to the Salem Historical Society. The twelve monthly winners will be judged and one of our young artists will be awarded a Life Membership to the Salem Historical Society. The coloring pages and rules can be found on the museum’s website on the following link. Good luck and have fun!

Read the Rules, then keep scrolling to download and print each month's featured page. Pages will be loaded about the 25th day of the previous month.