Council Votes 8-2 to Replace 1839 City Seal

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Salem Council Votes to Replace 1839 City Seal

The City Council voted 8-2 on Thursday to accept the City Seal Task Force's recommendation to retire the 1839 seal, which depicts a Sumatran spice trader, after years of contentious debate over whether it honors the city's history or offends parts of the community. A replacement design has not yet been developed. The Task Force was formed by the Council in 2024 and given up to 18 months to gather information and public testimony before recommending whether to keep or change the seal; Councilor Ty Hapworth was one of the two votes against the change.

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City Suspends Public Meetings for Yom Kippur, Sept. 20-21

Salem's calendar marks Sunday and Monday, September 20-21, 2026, as a no-public-meetings period for Yom Kippur; the meeting schedule resumes afterward.

City of Salem

PEM Curators Discuss Isamu Noguchi Exhibition

Peabody Essex Museum curator Ruthie Dibble joins High Museum of Art curators today from 1-2 p.m. to discuss the exhibition 'I Am Not a Designer.'

Destination Salem

Phillips House Tour Explores Irish Staff History

The 90-minute Irish Experience tour at Phillips House examines the working lives of Irish staff members today from 10-11:30 a.m.

Salem Chamber of Commerce

Psychic Fair Raises Funds for Salem High Scholarships

The fifth annual Psychic Fair at Salem Masonic Temple offers readings, Reiki, tarot, and lodge tours today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., benefiting Salem High School scholarships.

Salem Chamber of Commerce

LEAP Hosts Charity Pickleball Tournament in Danvers

LEAP for Education holds its first 'Serve Up Some Good' pickleball tournament at The Picklr in Danvers today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with entry fees supporting LEAP youth programs.

Salem Chamber of Commerce

Froggy and The Friendship Play Bit Bar Tonight

Froggy and The Friendship perform at Bit Bar in Salem tonight; doors open at 8 p.m., music starts at 9 p.m., $10 cover, 21+.

Destination Salem

Salem Days Offers Free Stone Zoo Trip Today

Salem residents can ride free round-trip buses to Stone Zoo today as part of September Salem Days, with free daytime zoo admission all month with proof of residency.

City of Salem

Slime Potion Class Offers Family Halloween Fun

The Lost Library hosts a family slime potion-making class today from 10 a.m. to noon at 282 Derby St., with take-home Halloween-themed creations.

Destination Salem

Memento Mori Jewelry Trunk Show Comes to Front Street

Whimsy's Sweet Life hosts a Memento Mori trunk show today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring gothic, witch- and fairy-themed jewelry and handmade artifacts.

Destination Salem

Critter Fest Screens 'Better Call Babs' at CinemaSalem

CinemaSalem screens the documentary 'Better Call Babs,' following pet detective Babs Fry's animal-rescue work, today from noon to 1:30 p.m. as part of Critter Fest.

Destination Salem

'The Odyssey' Takes the Stage Today

A production of 'The Odyssey' begins at 3 p.m. today in Salem, running into the evening.

Destination Salem

Athenaeum Unveils Reproduction of 1629 Massachusetts Charter

The Salem Athenaeum presents 'Chartering a Path to Independence' today from 4-6 p.m., with a reception and presentation on a new archival reproduction of the 1629 Endecott Charter.

Salem Athenaeum

Casa de Abuela Offers Cafecito and Latino Family Stories

North Shore CDC's Cafecito at Casa de Abuela runs today from noon to 5 p.m. at 98 Lafayette St., recreating a Latin American grandmother's home and immigrant family traditions.

Trails & Sails