News Release

Custom House Repair and Preservation Project Commences

News Release Date: December 21, 2022

Contact: Susan J. Russo

Salem, Mass. - Salem Maritime National Historic Site announces that a contract has been awarded for approximately $1 million to repair and preserve portions of the Custom House and Bonded Warehouse. These significant repairs will be made to these connected buildings to correct years of deterioration of the historic structures and protect these important pieces of American history. The majority of the work will be performed on-site on Derby Street and was funded through the National Park Service’s Repair Rehabilitation Program. The long-awaited project will begin mid-December and is expected to be completed by winter 2023.

The project includes extensive repairs to exterior and interior features of the building, including the portico, railings, shutters, cupola, snow and ice rail, roof, chimneys and plaster walls. All wood and metal on the exterior of the building, and interior surfaces, will be painted. Additionally, an ultraviolet protection layer will be applied to window interiors. In preparation for the planned work, all exhibit and museum collection items in the Custom House were removed and placed in secure storage. Public access to the facility will remain closed until the work is completed and the exhibit items are returned to the interior of the building.

In 2021, 181 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $11.8 million in local gateway regions while visiting Salem Maritime National Historic Site. These expenditures supported a total of 147 jobs, $7.2 million in labor income, $11.2 million in value added, and $18.0 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.