Even in a federal government shutdown, Salem continues to show up for its residents and visitors. The National Park Service (NPS) Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center has reopened, thanks to the tireless coordination of the City of Salem and the leadership of Essex Heritage, in partnership with the Salem Maritime National Historical Park and Eastern National.
This reopening — ensuring visitor information and restrooms remain available — was made possible through the generous funding of $8,000 from The Salem Witch Museum with additional support from The Salem Wax Museum, the Peabody Essex Museum, Eastern National, Creative Collective, and Destination Salem. A total of $18,600 was raised to keep the Visitor Center operational. These funds cover utilities, compensation for NPS custodial staff to clean the bathrooms seven days a week, one seasonal NPS ranger, and the NPS 10.5% overhead. Staffing for the Visitor Center itself is being provided at no cost—by Essex Heritage five days a week and by Eastern National seven days a week. Essex Heritage is also contributing three Future Leaders — local youth ages 16 to 25 to be employed part-time by the organization — to assist with visitor information. In addition, several longtime NPS volunteers from the Salem community are generously lending their support.
“When the federal government shutdown forced the National Park Service Visitor Center to close its doors, our local businesses stepped up without hesitation,” said Mayor Dominick Pangallo. “Thanks to their generosity, we’re able to continue relying on the downtown facilities that are so important here in Salem, especially during our busiest time of year. It’s a great example of what makes our community special – we look out for each other and for the places that make Salem who we are. I am so grateful to Essex Heritage, Destination Salem, the City staff, and the donors who came together to get our National Park Service Visitor Center back open without missing a beat!”
Ashley Judge, Executive Director of Destination Salem, said, “These services are crucial to Salem during the month of October when more than a million Halloween revelers descend upon our city. We want to recognize the extraordinary collaboration that made this happen. Salem steps up time and time again — to protect our businesses, our visitors, and our residents. Through cooperation, creativity, and community spirit, Salem once again demonstrates that even during national uncertainty, it remains steadfast in its hospitality, accessibility, and commitment to the public good.”
Essex Heritage and Eastern National are nonprofit organizations that hold cooperative agreements and security clearances with the National Park Service, which allowed them to reopen and manage the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center will operate seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., through November 3 or until the federal lapse in appropriations ends, whichever comes first. The center had been closed from Oct. 1-6 due to the federal shutdown.
“This collaboration demonstrates the strength of our collective dedication to stewardship and the enduring partnership between the National Park Service and the Salem community,” commented Cheri Grishin, Director of Operations at Essex Heritage.
With restrooms at Central Wharf and Artist Row also open, there is no reduction in restroom or visitor information access for guests this season. Up-to-date information on all public restroom locations is available on the Destination Salem App.
