Protecting Salem's Historic and Cultural Resources

Salem is home to over 250 known archaeological sites. These sites, hidden beneath buildings and urban areas, provide valuable information about the city’s past. They help us learn about Salem’s prehistory and the lives of people who have been historically overlooked, including immigrants, marginalized communities and the poor.

The Archaeological Compliance Program

The City of Salem created the Archaeological Compliance Program to protect these valuable resources. The program has three main goals:

1. Identify archaeological resources.
2. Assess their importance.
3. Prevent or reduce damage caused by development projects.

What to Do if Your Project is in the Cultural Resources Protection Zone

If your property is in the Cultural Resources Protection Zone and your project involves digging or other ground-disturbing activities, you must contact the City Archaeologist, Kimberli Fitzgerald. She will guide you through the process to ensure archaeological resources are protected.

Resources for Property Owners and Contractors

The City of Salem provides helpful resources to support property owners, project managers, and contractors:

• Clearance Review Process: Learn how to get approval for your project.
• Inadvertent Discovery Protocol: Understand what to do if you find archaeological materials by accident.
• Additional Guidance: Get detailed instructions for project managers and archaeological contractors.

By working together, we can protect Salem’s rich history and preserve it for future generations.

Historic and Cultural Resources Protection Zone Lookup Map

This map works best in Google Chrome. Not loading in your browser? Open the full screen lookup zone map in a new window.