FAQs
Is the Pioneer Village original?
The Pioneer Village structures are not original colonial structures from the 1600s: at the time of the settlement of Salem in 1626, the original settlement location was in what is now downtown Salem far from the Pioneer Village site. Pioneer Village was built in 1930 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Salem’s founding: the structures were built as temporary structures as a stage set for a play that was enacted to commemorate the founding.
Which structures at the Pioneer Village will be moved?
The four structures that are original to the Village’s 1930 construction will be relocated. Their relative locations to each other will be replicated in the new proposed location.
Pioneer Village
What is the condition of the buildings on the Camp Naumkeag site?
The buildings are in poor condition, partly because they were not constructed for long term use: they were constructed in response to a short term need to house patients during a pandemic, similar to the temporary clinics constructed during the COVID pandemic. The Camp Naumkeag buildings do not have foundations and since they were constructed for seasonal use, they do not have heat. In addition, these buildings do not meet current code requirements for access, fire safety, sanitation, etc. To reuse these buildings, the City would need to undertake significant upgrades. This non-compliance with requirements for accessibility extends beyond the structure to the site itself, including parking, access to the ocean, and access to the lower restrooms). A professional evaluation by an engineering team was conducted in 2017: the study and accompanying estimate can be found here.
Why did the YMCA Camp move to Forest River?
The City must request proposals from qualified organizations to run an affordable Camp for Salem residents on behalf of the City. The YMCA has been awarded this contract for several years. However, as noted above, the buildings and the site do not meet the needs of campers and have become are not a good fit with the current programs. With the upgrades at Forest River (new basketball court, boat ramp, fields, parking area, etc.) including a new pool and nature center opening in 2022, Forest River will provide more suitable location for children in camp.
Why is the wig-wam at the Pioneer Village showing the exposed framework?
The wig-wam framework was in the process of being repaired when the Massachusett Tribe requested that their community not be represented by historic indigenous dwelling structures such as wig-wams and wetus. They felt that these structures relegate them to the past and that no amount of signage or interpretation pulls them out of that past in the visitor’s perception. They wanted time to consult as a tribe to determine what form their presence within the Village should be. We are waiting for those decisions to be made before we make any further repairs or alterations to the wig-wam. We understand that we cannot represent or interpret the Indigenous community without including and collaborating with the members of this community: to do so without them would be cultural appropriation.
The City just spent time and money protecting the Forest River Pool from rising sea levels: why can’t they do the same thing at Pioneer Village?
There are several differences. First, the area of the pool was not forested. In order to protect the new pool construction and to make an accessible site, the area of the original pool was filled, raising the elevation by eight feet. In order to accomplish this at the Pioneer Village, a substantial extent of the tree cover that now surround the Pioneer Village would need to be removed. Second, the Forest River site faces a protective cove, whereas the current Pioneer Village site faces northeast, with a large ocean area frequented by Nor’easters, giving waves more area to funnel wave action. Third, the pool and the concrete/stucco building itself could withstand some wind and inundation if a storm were lage enough and have been significantly upgraded as part of the project. The wood/thatch structures at Pioneer Village would be difficult to upgrade to withstand strong winds and inundation without changing the fundamental characteristics of the structures.
How serious is the flooding threat to the Pioneer Village?
A 2018 storm flooded parts of the site. Below is a photograph of the site during the storm:
And following is a flood map indicating that most of the current Pioneer Village site would be flooded with a CAT 1 (light green) storm:
What will built as part of the project?
The project is planned in two phases.
- The first phase is to demolish the Camp Naumkeag structures (subject to Salem Historic Commission approval), build a small amount of parking and a trolley stop, create accessible paths throughout the site, provide interpretive signage, provide an enclosure for the site and relocate the Pioneer Village structures.
- The second phase will be the construction of a small visitor’s center to provide interpretation of the site and to increase opportunities for educational outreach.
How will the project be funded?
The funding for the first phase of the project will be from City funds, including proceeds from Pioneer Village admissions and funds from the Mayor’s Signature Parks Bond Bill. The construction of the visitor’s center is not yet funded and the site has been designed to function without the visitor’s center since its funding and completion date are still to be determined.
What is the schedule for the project?
The overall schedule goal is to have the project complete in 2026 for the four hundredth anniversary of Salem’s 1626 founding.
What does “interpretation” mean in this project?
Interpretation is the way that museums engage their audience with information, ideas and objects. Interpretation provides the connection between visitors and their immediate environment. It helps visitors make sense of what they are encountering. Interpretation is a form of translation. For this project there are three interpretive goals:
- Decolonize:Expand perspectives beyond the dominant cultural group by incorporating the Massachusett tribe presence and perspective
- Emphasize:Embrace sense of place and a broad environmental history
- Contemporize:Illuminate how numerous cultures thrive on the North Shore due to the riches that the environment provides.
What is proposed for parking and public access?
A small amount of mostly handicapped parking and drop off spots will be available on the site, as well as a trolley stop. Parking for others driving and bicycling to the site will be in the parking area at the corner of Fort Avenue and Memorial Drive.
Is the current Pioneer Village site going to be sold?
No, it is not. Pioneer Village sits within Forest River Park, and the land it is on will be used as part of the park going forward.