Advocacy is at the heart of everything we do. For nearly a century, HSI has been the voice for Salem’s historic architecture and neighborhoods. Our team of volunteers actively monitors preservation and development activity, engaging with city officials and reviewing authorities, collaborating with community members, and tracking projects from proposal to outcome.
We work to ensure that change in Salem respects the past while creating a livable, vibrant future. The initiatives featured here showcase just a portion of our ongoing efforts to protect the historic fabric that makes Salem unique.
WHY ADVOCACY MATTERS
Advocacy ensures that Salem’s future honors its past. By monitoring development, engaging in public review processes, and rallying community support, Historic Salem, Inc. (HSI) has shaped key decisions that protect the city’s irreplaceable architecture and historic neighborhoods. Our efforts have preserved landmarks and influenced policy and development so that progress and preservation can move forward together.
ADVOCACY AT WORK
- Saved the Corwin House (Witch House) (1944) — preserved Salem’s only direct building connected to the 1692 Witch Trials
- Preserved the Narbonne House (1963) — secured national protection through advocacy for this First Period building (1675)
- Established historic districts & National Register listings (1980s+) — safeguarding key neighborhoods
- Strengthened Salem’s Demolition Delay Requirement (1986, 2021) — preventing irreversible loss of historic buildings
- Acquired and restored the Nathaniel Bowditch House (2000), home from 1811–1823 to the renowned navigator, restoring the landmark to its early 19th-century appearance and establishing it as HSI’s headquarters.
- Supported the Salem Jail Complex Renovation (2009–11) — adaptive reuse into housing, dining & museum space
- Strengthened design standards for 40R districts (2025) — aligning new development with historic character
40R ZONING PROJECTS IN SALEM
Several of HSI’s active advocacy efforts involve projects proposed under Chapter 40R, a Massachusetts zoning law that encourages higher-density housing. Because these projects can move through an expedited approval process, understanding what 40R is and how it intersects with preservation is essential context for several active HSI advocacy projects. These projects raise important questions about scale, design, and long-term neighborhood impact.
The sections to the right provide context for how these projects work and why they matter in a historic city like Salem.
What is Chapter 40R?
A state zoning law that incentivizes cities to create special overlay districts for multi-family housing. Participating municipalities receive state funding and projects follow a streamlined review process. Design standards and local oversight still matter but they must be clearly defined upfront.
Why is Salem seeing more 40R projects?
Salem is experiencing growing pressure to address housing demand—particularly affordable housing—from both the state and the local level. Chapter 40R offers municipalities financial incentives and a streamlined approval pathway for meeting housing goals.
In a historic city like Salem, however, the scale and pace of development enabled by 40R raise important considerations around density, infrastructure capacity, and the protection of historic buildings and neighborhoods. These factors make early, thoughtful design standards and preservation advocacy especially critical.
HSI’s role in 40R advocacy
Historic Salem, Inc. engages in the 40R process to:
- Advocate for strong design standards
- Protect historic buildings and streetscapes
- Participate in the public review process
- Urge that new development complements Salem’s historic character
- Work collaboratively with the City, neighborhoods, and developers
Current 40R projects in Salem
These projects are featured in more detail below as part of our active advocacy work.
- Forest River Residences (former campus site of Salem State University)
- Margin, High, and Endicott Streets
- Shetland Park (proposed 40R)
ACTIVE ADVOCACY PROJECTS
Ongoing initiatives where HSI is working with partners and the community to shape positive outcomes for a project.
Shetland Park (proposed 40R)
Shetland Park (proposed 40R)
27 Congress St
Monitoring the proposed transformation of a 27-acre historic waterfront site into a major mixed-use district.
Forest River Residences (40R)
Forest River Residences (40R)
8, 11, 20-32 Harrison Rd, 262 Loring Ave
Monitoring redevelopment of SSU’s former South Campus into a 475-unit residential district.
Margin, High, and Endicott Streets (40R)
Margin, High, and Endicott Streets (40R)
54-56 Margin St, 7 High St, 20-24 Endicott St
Monitoring redevelopment of the Lifebridge campus, including plans affecting the historic St. Mary’s Italian Church.
Crescent Lot & Federal Street Courthouses
Crescent Lot & Federal Street Courthouses
252 Bridge St, 32-34 Federal St
Advocating for preservation of Salem’s historic courthouses alongside new downtown development.
Tabernacle Church
Tabernacle Church
50 Washington St
Monitoring adaptive reuse of a historic church as veterans’ housing.
Greater Endicott Street Neighborhood Historical Survey
Greater Endicott Street Neighborhood Historical Survey
Greater Endicott Street Neighborhood
Documenting the architecture and cultural history of a historic Salem neighborhood.
El Centro (Goldberg Building)
El Centro (Goldberg Building)
73-75 Lafayette St
Advocating for preservation-sensitive design in a major downtown redevelopment.
Former Jerry’s Department Store
Former Jerry’s Department Store
301 Essex St
Guiding redevelopment of a historic Essex Street downtown gateway property.
AC Hotel by Marriott
AC Hotel by Marriott
17 Canal St
Encouraging recognition of the historic Eagle Iron Foundry site in new development.
Pioneer Village & Camp Naumkeag
Pioneer Village & Camp Naumkeag
Forest River Park, The Willows
Monitoring plans to relocate one of America’s first living history museums.
Brick Sidewalk Preservation
Brick Sidewalk Preservation
Citywide
Advocating for the preservation and repair of Salem’s historic brick sidewalks.
Your voice matters in shaping Salem’s future! Get involved in advocacy work today.
Here’s how you can help:
