Century Homes Sought for Plaques

The Salem Preservation Society is seeking century homes to commemorate as part of its Century Home Plaque Program. "The program is a great way for people in our community to both celebrate our heritage and bring attention to the Salem area's many beautiful homes," said Craig Brown, Salem Preservation Society president.

The purpose of the project is to recognize homes that have existed in Salem and its surrounding community for more than 100 years. Participation is voluntary and homeowners may request an application from the Salem Preservation Society. Qualifying homes will receive a plaque commemorating their home.

Eighty-one years of facing north on Pershing Street has taken its toll of one of Salem's landmarks.

Reilly Stadium wall. It has added aesthetics to what would have been a very ordinary sport's field. It is a meeting place for all ages and groups, it has local and national history made by students, athletes and politicians  Many recall Wayne Russell meets, the Kiwanis antique shows the day John F. Kennedy spoke here or Jessie Owens running here and the thrill of being the first community to have a high school night football game in the state of Ohio. These activities brought many  people here and they saw a beautiful wall, wrought iron gates and a ticket booth.

History, How to Help, and More ...

The Salem Preservation Society’s Carriage House Book Committee is proud to announce the completion of this 72-page book.

It is a beautifully illustrated full-color guide to 31 carriage houses located in all the quadrants of the city of Salem.  The book has been designed to create a lasting record of these historic structures and to serve as a guide for those interested in locating the carriage houses.  It could make a fine gift for friends and family.

Salem Preservation Society Mission Statement is to “Preserve architecturally and historically significant sites, objects, and landscapes in the Salem area, and to promote educational, artistic and cultural activities that will increase community awareness of the importance of the preservation of Salem’s heritage.”

Accomplishments:

• Received the State of Ohio Historic Preservation Award for encouraging and financially supporting the nationally known architectural “Box City Program” in the Salem City Schools. SPS supported this program from 1994 to 1998.

• Donated $5,000 to Salem Renaissance Committee for the development of downtown Salem.

• Financially donated to the E. State Street Historic District

• Financed sending a Salem Art teacher to Florida to attend the “National Box City” seminar.

• Published books on the history of Salem’s churches, South Lincoln Avenue Historic Homes, Salem’s Downtown Historic District and Salem’s Cemeteries.

• Contributed financially to the historically significant Quaker Sixth Street Meeting House for building maintenance.

• Conducted a one day educational seminar for teachers titled “Using Preservation in the Curriculum”.

• Maintains the “Salem Century Home Project” to plaque historic buildings in the community.

• Funded the process to get the Burchfield and Hise House on the National Register of Historical Places.