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Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site :-
Salem Maritime, the first National Historic Site in the National
Park System, was established to preserve and interpret the maritime history
of New England and the United States. The Site consists of about nine acres
of land and twelve historic structures along the waterfront in Salem, Massachusetts,
as well as a Visitor Center in downtown Salem. The Site documents the development
of the Atlantic triangular trade during the colonial period, the role of
privateering during the Revolutionary War, and the international maritime
trade, especially with the Far East, which established American economic
independence after the Revolution. The Site is also the focal point of the
Essex National Heritage Area, designated in 1996, which links thousands
of historic places in Essex County around three primary historic themes:
colonial settlement, maritime trade, and early industrialization in the
textile and shoe industries.
Planning a Trip
Getting There -- By car from Marblehead, follow Route 114 west.
From Boston, take Route 1A north to Salem, being careful in Lynn, where
the road turns left and immediately right. You can also take I-93 or Route
1 to Route 128 and then Route 114 into downtown Salem. There's metered street
parking, and a reasonably priced municipal garage across the street from
the National Park Service Regional Visitor Center. From Boston, the MBTA
(tel. 617/222-3200; www.mbta.com) operates commuter trains from North Station
and bus no. 450 from Haymarket (Orange or Green Line). The train is more
comfortable than the bus but runs less frequently. It takes 30 to 35 minutes;
the round-trip fare is $7.50. The station is about 5 blocks from the downtown
area. The one-way fare for the 35- to 55-minute bus trip is $3.45.
Visitor Information -- A good place to start your visit
is the National Park Service Regional Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty St.
(tel. 978/740-1650; www.nps.gov/sama), open daily from 9am to 5pm. Exhibits
highlight early settlement, maritime history, and the leather and textiles
industries. The center has an auditorium where a free film on Essex County
provides an overview of the area. The center also distributes brochures
and pamphlets, including one that describes a walking tour of the historic
district.
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