Most Endangered Program
Historic Salem, Inc. established the Most Endangered Historic Resources Program in 2000 with the purpose of focusing public attention and Historic Salem, Inc.’s efforts on specific endangered resources that are threatened by neglect, lack of funding or inappropriate development. It is the cornerstone of Historic Salem’s advocacy efforts in pursuit of its mission to ensure that the historic resources of Salem are preserved for future generations and that new development complements the historic character of the city.
Click here for information about the Federal Section 106 process.
Recent press about St. Joseph’s Church
Church still likely to come down, February 16, 2012
Federal agency enters St Josephs talks, Jan. 21, 2012
My View: Adaptive reuse of St Joseph Church practical financially feasible, Jan. 5, 2012
Church can be torn down, Dec. 1, 2011
[more]
St. Joseph's Church Complex
Three Endangered Properties
County Commissioner’s Building (1841)
Superior Court (1862, 1887, 1889)
Registry of Deeds (1909)Summary
Individually the Historic Court Buildings on Federal Street are noteworthy examples of architectural styles commonly employed in public building design from the mid-19th to the mid 20th century, and as an assemblage, are truly extraordinary. They were added to the Most Endangered [more]
Historic Court Buildings
Endangered (Listed 2009)
Summary
The Mason and Flint Street neighborhood is a mixed-use neighborhood that acts as a transition from the industrial scaled buildings along the North River to the residential streets surrounding Mack Park. The Mason and Flint Street neighborhood was placed on the Most Endangered List in 2009 due to continual threat from inappropriate development, [more]
Mason & Flint Streets - A North River Neighborhood
Endangered (listed 2003)
SummarySt. Mary’s Italian Church, built in 1925, was at the heart of Salem’s Italian American community for most of the 20th century. The church was placed on the Most Endangered List in 2003, when the Archdiocese of Boston closed it. In 2009 a threat arose when the owners proposed housing in the church [more]
St. Mary's Italian Church
An Endangered Property
Summary
Fort Lee, located between Fort Ave and Memorial Drive, pre-dates the Revolutionary War and was rebuilt during the Civil War to contain a four gun battery. It was added to the Most Endangered list in 2001 due to neglect and deferred maintenance. It is currently considered Endangered.
A historic photo showing Fort Lee looking [more]
Fort Lee
Endangered, many Lost
The industrial buildings along the North River were placed on the Most Endangered List in 2000 due to constant threat of demolition and replacement with a variety of unsympathetic buildings. Since that time, three of the industrial buildings have been demolished; another, Bonfanti Leather, is slated for demolition. While these buildings had many [more]
North River Industrial Buildings
Salem Common Fence
Salem Common Fence
Currently endangered properties
These need need immediate action or face serious threat such as physical deterioration; intentional destruction; natural disaster; improper planning or preservation; or proposal of an inappropriate development project.
Summary
The Historic Burial Grounds in Salem are some of the oldest in the country. The burial grounds include the Charter Street Cemetery, also known as Old Burying Point, the Howard Street Cemetery, the Essex Street Cemetery and the Broad Street Cemetery. They were placed on the Most Endangered List in 2000 due to deferred maintenance [more]
Burial GroundsSUMMARY
The Boston Street Urban Entrance Corridor is one of three historic roadways leading into Salem that was placed on the Most Endangered List in 2001 due to consistent threat of inappropriate development. It is currently considered Improving. Signs of improvement include 2007 sidewalk improvements and a 2010 MAPC planning study.
FULL REPORT
Boston Street was the [more]
Boston Street Historic Urban Entrance Corridor
Summary
The 1806 Baptist Church, later remodeled into the Italianate style, was added to the Most Endangered List in 2007 when it became clear that plans for the Ruane Judicial Center would have a substantial effect on surrounding historic properties. The sanctuary of the church was moved in January 2009 to be included in the Judicial [more]
Former Baptist ChurchPHOTO
North Street Historic Urban Entrance Corridor ?(Listed 2001, Status – Improving)
SUMMARY
The North Street Urban Entrance Corridor is one of three historic roadways leading into Salem. It was placed on the Most Endangered List in 2001 due to consistent threat of inappropriate development. It is currently considered Improving. Signs of improvement include the completion of the [more]
North Street Historic Urban Entrance Corridor
Pioneer Village (Listed 2003, Status – Improving)
SUMMARY
Pioneer Village is one of America’s oldest living history museums. It was placed on the Most Endangered List in 2003 due to concerns over its physical condition and lack of public access. It is currently considered Improving with the main sign of improvement being the 2008 contract signed with [more]
Pioneer Village
Salem Woods (Listed 2002)
SUMMARY
The Salem Woods is a 129-acre open space containing vernal pools, wildlife and 65 identified plant species and is the last significant woodland ecosystem in the City of Salem. It was placed on the Most Endangered List in 2002 because it was threatened by plans to expand the adjacent golf course. It [more]
Salem Woods- Bridge Street Entrance Corridor
Winter Island Listed (2000)
Winter Island is one of Salem’s major but under utilized historical attractions. It is listed on the National Register as a Historic District and Archeological site. It is also one of Salem’s leading City operated recreational parks. It contains the colonial Fort Pickering, the site where the frigate Essex was built and [more]
Winter Island
Improving properties
These have started to receive appropriate maintenance or funding; have a plan for appropriate restoration or redevelopment; are no longer facing an immediate threat; or are ones for which community and owner support is heavily in favor of appropriate restoration or redevelopment.
Not shown:
Historic Entrance Corridor – Boston Street
Historic Entrance Corridor – Bridge Street
Historic Entrance Corridor – North Street
Saved
Burbeck House
Downtown Retail District
Old Police Station
Old Salem News Building
Pope House
Salem Jail Complex
Wendt House
Lost
28 Goodhue Street
58, 60, 62 Federal Street
The Most Endangered Program fits within the Preservation Committee’s Preservation Priorities that include projects the committee is watching and participating in, and educational and community initiatives the committee is spearheading.
The degree of activity and progress around the Most Endangered Resources confirms that this program is an effective tool. At the ten year mark, the list has highlighted 24 properties, six of which have been “Saved” and eight that have been upgraded to “Signs of Improvement” or “Recovering”. The rest of the properties benefit from the focused attention and resources so they can be maintained and/or restored and continue to contribute to Salem’s historic fabric and economic vitality.
Although modeled after similar programs run by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and PreservationMass the Historic Salem list is unique in that it follows specific properties over the course of years and provides annual status updates on all properties on the list.