Beyond Broomsticks

The History of Presidential Visits to Salem

As Presidents' Day approaches, this seems an appropriate time to look back at visits to Salem by men who served as President of the United States.

Probably the first man who would be president to visit Salem was John Adams who as a young attorney often rode the eastern circuit through the North Shore. He would stay at the home of Richard and Mary Cranch, on Mill Street, Salem. Mary was the older sister of John’s wife, Abigail. On a number of occasions, both John and Abigail visited. During one of these extended visits, they both had portraits painted by Benjamin Blyth. John would later become the first Vice President for Washington’s two terms, and then second President of the United States, from 1797 to 1801. On Oct. 29, 1789, George Washington, the First President (1789-1797), came to Salem to a huge celebration where he reviewed the troops, was feted with speeches downtown and a …

•  8 Comments
• Photos (19)