Salem Collection

Salem Public Library's special Salem History Room is located in the Reference Room. A beautifully etched sailing ship adorns the glass door which leads into our small, but rather unique Salem history collection. Salem City Directories are available from 1836 to 1999. Birth, marriage and death dates through 1849 are found in the Vital Records for Salem and other Massachusetts communities. Histories of Salem, and surrounding cities and towns are located in this collection. Salem City Documents containing the annual address of the Mayor of Salem, and reports and statistics of each city department are available from 1840-1980. Books and related material on the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692 are found here. The Essex Institute Historical Collection volumes and indices are available for research. Several Civil War regimental histories of Massachusetts contain references to Salem residents and their service to their country. A clipping file of newspaper and periodical articles about Salem is maintained. The resources of the Salem History Room are available for use during regular library hours.