A TALE OF TWO CITIES — OVER MORE THAN FOUR CENTURIES (WINTER 2025)


Both Salem and its neighboring city of Beverly, where Roger Conant eventually settled, are celebrating their quadricentennial next year. 

Both cities acknowledge the area’s preexisting indigenous community from bands of the Massachusett Tribal Nation. Hence the + included in the logos.


Conant and other members of the Dorchester Company settled in what was then called Naumkeag, part of the Agawam Indian Territory. Known as the ‘Old Planters’, they built homesteads and fished and farmed along the banks of the North River until 1628. Following the failure of the Dorchester Company a new wave of English colonists arrived led by John Endicott, who was sent by the Massachusetts Bay Company to replace Conant and govern the tiny settlement.   

Disagreements between the ‘Old Planters’ and the new arose and were eventually resolved peacefully. To honor this resolution, they changed the name of the settlement from Naumkeag to Salem — or ‘village of peace’. 

Map showing Salem and Beverly www.familysearch.org 

Find out from the websites below about some of the events and activities which both cities hope will commemorate their rich history, celebrate and embrace their diverse communities and inspire a collective vision for current and future generations. 

www.salem400.org

www.beverly400.org  

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