Salem Begins 400+ Anniversary Campaign with Public Forum on April 7

The city of Salem will mark its 400th anniversary next year as one of the oldest municipalities in the United States. It is now soliciting input from the public as officials plan for events to celebrate the city's quadricentennial.

Salem 400+, the official commemoration for Salem's 400th anniversary, will host a public information session at the Salem High School auditorium, 77 Willson St., on Monday, April 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event will provide members of the public with information on events and ways to get involved.

"The positive energy and enthusiasm as we approach 2026 is incredible," Mayor Dominick Pangallo said in a statement shared with the Patch of Salem. "Salem 400+ represents years of planning, collaboration, and community vision coming to fruition. People from all across our city have come together with a shared commitment to honoring Salem's complex and unique history while boldly imagining our future and all that is possible on the road ahead of us."

At the public meeting, attendees will learn more about several signature events planned by the city for 2026. These programs include Signature Parks Day, the Volunteer Marketplace, and the return of Salem's Heritage Parade to launch Heritage Month.

"Our city's story is written not by historians in isolation, but by the collective memories and perspectives of everyone who calls Salem home," said Virginia "Gini" Cherol, coordinator for Salem 400+, in a media statement. "From history buffs and artists to entrepreneurs and community activists, our city thrives on the unique energy and dedication of its residents."