Salem Kicks Off 400+ Anniversary Campaign With Public Forum

SALEM, MA — The city of Salem is celebrating its 400th anniversary as one of the oldest municipalities in America next year and is looking for public input on the events planned to commemorate the quadricentennial.

Salem 400+, the official commemoration of Salem’s 400th anniversary, will hold a public information session at the Salem High School auditorium, 77 Willson Street, on April 7 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The session will offer information on events, opportunities for involvement, ways to support the project and more.

"The positive energy and enthusiasm as we approach 2026 is incredible," Mayor Dominick Pangallo said. "Salem 400+ represents years of planning, collaboration, and community vision coming to fruition. People from all across our city have come together with a shared commitment to honoring Salem's complex and unique history, while boldly imagining our future and all that is possible on the road ahead of us.

"The tremendous success of our Leslie's Retreat commemoration earlier this year provided a great preview of how powerful these historical celebrations can be, and I'm confident 2026 will further elevate this engagement to an unprecedented level. Salem 400+ isn't just about commemorating our past. It's about creating a living legacy that will inspire generations to come and be truly transformative for our city.

"We're not just marking time — we're making history.”

Attendees will learn more about Signature Events planned by the city for 2026, including Signature Parks Day, the Volunteer Marketplace, and the return of Salem's Heritage Parade to kick off Heritage Month.

"Our city's story is written not by historians in isolation, but by the collective memories and perspectives of everyone who calls Salem home," said Virginia "Gini" Cherol, coordinator for Salem 400+, "Salem is a city of passionate people, where everyone can find their community.

"From history buffs and artists to entrepreneurs and community activists, our city thrives on the unique energy and dedication of its residents."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)