Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Salem Maritime National Historic Site occupies waterfront land with a collection of historic buildings dating from the 1600s through 1800s. A full-size replica tall-ship serves as a floating museum where visitors can walk the decks and understand how merchant vessels operated.

Established in 1938, this site became the first National Historic Site in the United States, establishing the model for preserving such places. Salem thrived in the 1700s and early 1800s when merchant ships sailed from here to distant trading partners across the globe.

The Derby House from 1762 and Custom House from 1819 display Georgian architecture showing how merchant families and harbor workers lived and conducted their daily affairs. Period furnishings and artifacts reveal the routines of maritime trade families who shaped Salem's economy.

The site is best explored on foot, moving between buildings and outdoor exhibits along the waterfront. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as paths vary in terrain and there is limited shelter from sun and wind.

The replica ship, the Friendship, was built using historical research and blueprints, revealing how merchants actually constructed their vessels at that time. Unlike a static museum ship, this one occasionally sails and shows how crews actually managed the vessel's rigging and navigation on the water.