Events

Explore Salem’s mayoral history through this self-guided walking tour of Harmony Grove Cemetery, featuring the final resting places of 21 Salem mayors whose leadership helped shape the city’s history.

Created as part of the Salem 400+ program “From City Hall to Sacred Ground: Honoring Salem’s First Mayor Leverett Saltonstall and Those Who Followed,” this tour commemorates a landmark year in Salem’s history. In 2026, the city celebrates both the 400th anniversary of its founding and the 190th anniversary of its incorporation as a city.

Join us on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 1:00 PM for this special event. The tour meeting point is at the Blake Memorial Chapel, where maps will be distributed. Each mayoral site along the route features informational markers, and select locations will be staffed by special guest interpreters offering additional insights.

In addition, both the Friends of Greenlawn Cemetery and the Friends of Broad Street Cemetery will offer maps for self-guided tours and information about the Salem mayors buried in those cemeteries.

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>> NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED, just come and explore!<<

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Event Details

• Tour Launch: Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 1:00 PM (meet at the Blake Memorial Chapel)
• Location: Harmony Grove Cemetery, 30 Grove Street, Salem, MA
• Admission: Free and open to all. No registration required, but donations are always appreciated.
• Accessibility Note: Portions of the route include steep terrain, uneven ground, and stairs. Comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate attire are recommended.

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Can’t Make the Event?

The self-guided tour will remain available throughout the year. Visitors are welcome to explore at their own pace anytime the cemetery is open. Tour maps will be available at the cemetery office and online.

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Join us at Harmony Grove Cemetery for a special program commemorating Salem’s mayoral history during this landmark year. In 2026, Salem marks both the 400th anniversary of its founding and the 190th anniversary of its incorporation as a city.

The program begins with a lecture by Peter Drummey, retired Chief Historian of the Massachusetts Historical Society, focusing on Leverett Saltonstall (1783–1845), Salem’s first mayor. Drawing on the Saltonstall Family Papers preserved at the Massachusetts Historical Society, along with other historical records and research, Drummey will explore Saltonstall’s life, leadership, and lasting civic contributions.

Following the lecture, guests are invited to enjoy a social hour with complimentary refreshments. At 1:00 PM, an optional self-guided walking tour of Harmony Grove Cemetery will begin, highlighting the final resting places of 21 Salem mayors, including Saltonstall. Cemetery maps will be distributed, and informational markers will be available at each site, with select locations staffed by guest interpreters offering additional insights. All are welcome to participate in the tour, including those who did not attend the lecture.

In addition, both the Friends of Greenlawn Cemetery and the Friends of Broad Street Cemetery will offer maps for self-guided tours and information about the Salem mayors buried in those cemeteries.

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>> REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND THE LECTURE <<

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Event Schedule

• 10:30 AM – Doors open with musical guests Jen and Bob Strom
• 11:00 AM – Lecture by Peter Drummey (in the Blake Memorial Chapel)
• ~12:15 PM – Social time with complimentary refreshments
• 1:00–3:00 PM – Optional self-guided walking tour

Event Details

• Location: Harmony Grove Cemetery, 30 Grove Street, Salem, MA.
• Admission: Free and open to all, but donations are always appreciated. People can attend either the lecture or the tour, or both.
• Lecture Registration: Required (space is limited in the chapel).
• Self-Guided Tour: No registration needed.

About our presenter:

Peter Drummey recently retired following forty-seven years of distinguished service at the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS). As one of the longest-tenured staff members in the history of the nation's first historical society, Mr. Drummey served as Chief Historian, acting as a premier steward and guardian of American heritage.

Throughout a remarkable career that culminated in his appointment as Chief Historian in 2022, Mr. Drummey’s tenure was defined by an unparalleled command of the Society’s vast collections. Committed to fostering historical accessibility, he has provided vital support to thousands of researchers, curated significant landmark exhibitions, and remains a preeminent expert for journalists and scholars alike.

A native of Duxbury, Massachusetts, Peter Drummey completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at Columbia University in New York City. Upon graduating from the School of Library Services prestigious program for rare book librarians and archivists, he returned to the Commonwealth to serve as curator of manuscripts at the New England Historic Genealogical Society. He joined the MHS staff in 1978 and served as the Society’s Stephen T. Riley Librarian from 1987 until his eventual transition to Chief Historian.

This biographical sketch is based on information from the Massachusetts Historical Society website.

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About Harmony Grove Cemetery:

Founded in 1840, Harmony Grove Cemetery is a nonprofit, non-denominational cemetery and crematory rooted in the rural cemetery movement. Spanning nearly 57 acres, it is dedicated to honoring and commemorating the dead, welcoming the living, and preserving its grounds in perpetuity.

Harmony Grove offers burial, cremation, and end-of-life services, and the historic Blake Memorial Chapel is available for funerals, memorials, wedding ceremonies, and community gatherings. Through its growing public programs, the organization shares the rich history of Salem and New England through the stories of those laid to rest there.

About Salem 400+:

Salem400+ commemorates Salem’s quadricentennial while acknowledging the preexisting indigenous community, explores the opportunities and connections within Salem’s multifaceted history, and crafts a vision for current and future generations.

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Did you miss the first installment of our special walking tour program, Buried Treasures, with Salem’s official historian Jim McAllister last October? Or would you like a refresher before the second part of the series this summer? Or perhaps it’s simply too cold for a cemetery walking tour right now?

Join local historian Jim McAllister on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM for a fascinating evening journey through Harmony Grove Cemetery, experienced from the comfort of your home.

This 90-minute Zoom lecture retraces the stops from Jim’s original walking tour, exploring the lives and legacies of more than 20 notable Salem residents interred at Harmony Grove, from the Remond family of entrepreneurs and abolitionists to the Parker Brothers game makers.

The program is free, though donations are greatly appreciated as we expand our public programming. Reservations are required.

Why the Title “Buried Treasures”?

Jim McAllister chose the title Buried Treasures because the notable individuals resting at Harmony Grove Cemetery are true treasures of Salem and, in many cases, of the nation. Although they now rest beneath the cemetery grounds, their legacies continue to shape the city and shine as invaluable pieces of our shared history.

More About Jim McAllister

A respected historian, author, photographer, and teacher, Jim McAllister is the founder of Derby Square Tours and has spent over four decades sharing the rich history of Salem and Boston’s North Shore with locals and visitors alike. Known for his expert knowledge, engaging storytelling, and deep community roots, Jim has appeared on numerous regional and national television and radio programs and has served as a historical consultant to the City of Salem, the Peabody Essex Museum, and other cultural institutions. In 2008, he was named Salem’s first“ Heritage Hero” by the Essex National Heritage Commission. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore Harmony Grove Cemetery with one of Salem’s most trusted and passionate voices.

More About Harmony Grove Cemetery

Founded in 1840, Harmony Grove Cemetery is a nonprofit, non-denominational cemetery and crematory rooted in the rural cemetery movement. Spanning nearly 57 acres, it is dedicated to honoring and commemorating the dead, welcoming the living, and preserving its grounds in perpetuity. Harmony Grove offers burial, cremation, and end-of-life services, and the historic Blake Chapel is available for funerals, memorials, wedding ceremonies, and community gatherings. Through our growing public programs, we share the rich history of Salem and New England through the stories of those laid to rest here.

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Join Salem’s official historian, Jim McAllister, for an unforgettable walking tour through Harmony Grove Cemetery!

Harmony Grove Cemetery is more than a resting place—it is a living history of Salem. As Jim McAllister notes, the cemetery provides a unique prism through which to view our community from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. It is the final resting place of important Salemites from just about every field of endeavor, including artists, architects, authors, civic leaders, and trailblazers whose stories continue to shape our city. You’ll encounter the legacy of the Remond abolitionist family, game makers the Parker Brothers, retailer Daniel Low, and many more.

This 90-minute tour, the first in a two-part series, will feature carefully chosen stops and stories that bring some of these remarkable lives into focus.

Please note: parts of the route include steep terrain, uneven ground, and stairs. Comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate attire are recommended.

Space is limited, and reservations are required.

To purchase tickets: SOLD OUT

*If you'd like to be put on a waiting list or be added to our contact list for upcoming events, send us an email at: harmonygrovesalem@gmail.com

Ticket Price: $ 20​

​As a nonprofit, Harmony Grove Cemetery is dedicated to preserving this historic landscape and sharing the stories of those who shaped our community. By joining us, you help support our efforts to expand programming and sustain this important place for generations to come.

Why the title “Buried Treasures”?

McAllister chose the title "Buried Treasures" because the notable residents of the cemetery are true treasures of Salem—and, in some cases, of the nation. Though they now rest beneath the grounds of Harmony Grove Cemetery, their legacies continue to shape Salem and shine as invaluable pieces of our shared history.

More about Jim McAllister:

Join Salem's official historian, Jim McAllister, for an unforgettable walking tour through Harmony Grove Cemetery. A respected historian, author, photographer, and teacher, Jim is the founder of Derby Square Tours and has spent over four decades sharing the rich history of Salem and the broader Boston's North Shore region with locals and visitors alike. His expert knowledge, engaging storytelling, and deep roots in the community have made his tours a must-do experience. Jim has appeared on many regional and national television and radio shows and served as a historical consultant to the City of Salem, the Peabody Essex Museum, and other local organizations and institutions. In 2008, he was named Salem's first "Heritage Hero" by the Essex National Heritage Commission. Don't miss this chance to explore the Cemetery and some of its notable residents with one of the most trusted and passionate voices of Salem.