Improving upon "The Witch City"

An article from the July 30, 1925 edition of The Salem News found its way onto my desk last week, and I have to share it.  You may have noticed that we have launched a new logo and tag line for Salem this year - officially declaring that Salem is Still Making History.

We spent months in meetings working to find the best graphic and slogan for a city that has such a breadth of assets, a wealth of history, and a very eclectic nature.  It would seem, from this 1925 article, that our quest for the perfect trademark predates us all. 


It is hard to read, so I've typed the content of the story:

WHO CAN THINK OF A NEW TRADE MARK FOR SALEM

"The Witch City" Might be improved upon... 

"The Witch City is a fairly good trade mark.

"Hawthorne Land" sounds good, too. It tells of the famous author and brings in the new hotel, too.

"Blubber Hollow" is a rugged trade name. It satisfies tanners.

"City of shoes" no longer fills the bill. Salem has lost too much shoe business of late.

"Where we make your sheets" might get a cheer from the Naumkeag cotton mills.

"Settle in Salem and Succeed" once was heard. But the population is less than it used to be.

"City of Homes" is too commonplace. 

"Historic Salem" is familiar, but it tells of the past. Somebody ought to get up a new trade mark for Salem and everybody ought to sound it. 

A city can struggle along without a trade mark, just the same as a man can struggle along without a name. But it sounds better to have a trade mark.  

You can still find information on Salem's tannery history and blubber hollow and the Naukeag Mills (now Shetland Properties) on some of Salem's walking tours and at the National Park Service.

I'm happy to say that more and more people do "settle in Salem and succeed," which is testament to our great downtown and the wonderful shop, dine, explore, live, play atmosphere that has been fostered in Salem by people, organizations and businesses that are invested in the success of Salem.

Where Past is Present

Have you seen the Ten Free Things to do in Salem list? It's worth checking out, especially since most of the things on the list are available year-round (although the gardens are, admittedly, a bit drab in February).

The best, and first, thing on the list is the free film at the National Park Service Regional Visitor Center. It is the 27-minute film, Where Past is Present. The film provides an overview of the history of Salem and the entire Essex National Heritage Area, which is the 34 communities of Essex County. Whether you are from the area or visiting, it will give you a sense of place and a sense of the historical significance of Salem and its surrounding communities.

For more information on the National Park Service in Salem, visit www.nps.gov/sama. It is an excellent web site, chock full of "did you know" facts and links to Salem walking tours and brochures.

Shopping in Salem

I can't explain how much shopping has improved since I first visited Salem in 1998. Signatures just opened their new space at 181 Essex Street, on the Pedestrian Mall, and it's a great store for women's fashion! Better yet, it completes a really nice block, with Bernard's Jewelery and Pamplemousse (www.pmousse.com - the image to the right is from Pamplemousse). Those of us at the ribbon cutting today were marveling at how much shopping we can do during our lunch hours and on our walks from office to car. There is lots of shopping to be done!

If you need a scheduled excuse to check out Salem's retail, watch the calendar on www.salem.org. for Girl's Night Out with Mayor Kim Driscoll in early March. Salem Main Streets is working with the Mayor's office to organize a night of shopping and treats geared toward the girls. I'll post the date here, too, when it's confirmed.

Visit Salem

Welcome to Destination Salem's new blog about Salem, visiting Salem, what there is to do in Salem, and why you should be making plans to come to Salem.

I should let you know right out of the box that I am the executive director of Destination Salem, which means it is my job to talk about Salem as a great destination. However, I would not be able to do this job if I didn't believe it. And I know Salem is a unique place to spend time. In fact, it's such a great place to visit, lots of people move here after visiting (myself included), and that's the best evidence of a good destination.

Salem has a lot going on. You may know Salem because of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Salem also has an incredible maritime heritage, remarkable architecture, literary history (think Nathaniel Hawthorne), and military heritage. Not to mention the art and culture, shopping, dining, psychics, lighthouses, classic New England vistas, tall ships, cobbled streets... should I go on? I'll talk about all of these things in my posts, but I know attention spans are short and time is shorter, so for now I'll say welcome - to you and to myself - to the new Destination Salem blog.

Discover the magic of Salem!

Kate

PS: The picture is of the tall ship Friendship, a replica of the 1797 East Indiaman ship that sailed from Salem to ports all over the world. Friendship is part of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. Thanks to Colleen Bruce who took the picture.