Excavating the Salem Roundhouse Topic of Railroad Enthusiast Talk

Salem, MA - Local railroad enthusiasts may want to make the trip to Waban later this week for the latest program from the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts.

The subject of the groups March talk is "Excavating the Salem Roundhouse."

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and The Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc. (PAL) discovered and excavated an historic railroad locomotive maintenance facility in downtown Salem in 2011-2013. Designated the Salem North River Railroad Roundhouse, this unique archaeological property was uncovered under the Bridge Street parking lot as part of environmental permitting prior to the construction of the MBTA's new Intermodal Station parking garage. Salem was historically an important railroad junction with connections locally and throughout eastern New England. The North River facility, which was established circa 1850, contained buried ruins and artifacts from the Age of Steam, including a railroad roundhouse and accompanying turntable constructed in 1888 by the Boston & Maine Railroad.

Suzanne Cherau, Archaeologist, and John Daly, Industrial Historian, from PAL will present the findings of the archaeological investigation at the site. Through a slide show and artifact display, the presenters will share the history of railroading in Salem, the evolution of the North River Railroad Roundhouse Site, and the results of the excavations. Historical maps, photographs, and artifacts relating to the site will be included.

The program is on Thursday, March 17 at 8 p.m. at the Union Church in Waban.

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Photo via Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts