This Monday our First Year Seminar class took a trip to downtown Salem to visit the national parks including the maritime an customs history of Salem. My assignment was to research and listen to custom trade in the history of Salem. I learned that Salem has been a major trading port since the end of the 18th century. Cinnamon and Pepper were the most popular spices at the time that were brought to Salem from other countries. We also learned that smuggling or stealing of goods was fairly common. Smugglers were also rarely caught. We learned about the duties of Surveyors, Weighers and Gaugers. Some times were weighed on larger scales if they were larger. There were also locks kept on warehouses that stored the shipped goods so no one would steal them. We saw the original golden eagle in the Custom House that was made in the 19th century. It was originally placed on the top of the Custom House but it got taken down because it was weathered down from snow and other weather. The eagle is clutching an olive branch which represents peace and also a bow and arrow which represents war. We also learned about the immigrants who came to Salem that lived in houses near the Custom House. There is no evidence of immigrants living here in the 1900' s because waste was taken out which left no evidence.
Photos
Link:
http://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/Architecture/CustomHouse/Introduction.html
My experience at the NPS in Salem was good. I learned more about Salem than I knew before. I learned that Salem is a very historical town. Where I came from was not historical at all and I really like history so Salem is perfect for me.
What struck me the most was how historic Salem was. I have always thought the only history in Salem was only historic for the Salem Witch Trials but now I know there is so much more. Salem has a major trading port as well as many immigrants in the 18th and 19th century. I also didn't know that Nathaniel Hawthorne worked in Salem. Overall The trip was interesting and I learned a lot from it.
This trip was a positive experience for me. I really enjoyed learning about the history of Salem because I love history and I really like the city of Salem.
Questions
How old is the city of Salem?
Who were the first people to live in the area of Salem?
How many people visit Salem in October every year?
Do people from other countries visit Salem during Halloween season?
