INQUIRE
COMMITTEES
Historic Salem is one of America’s oldest civic historic preservation groups, working actively since 1944 to preserve Salem’s rich architectural legacy and educate the community on the value of its historic resources.
Whether you have a background in design, history, or event planning, you’re sure to find a fit in one of our six committees! We’re always looking for talented and passionate individuals to join our volunteer team. If you have the time, we have a volunteer role for you!
Preservation Committee
Advocates for Salem’s historic buildings and neighborhoods through project review, public engagement, and policy initiatives that ensure thoughtful, preservation-minded growth.
What we do:
- Act as stakeholder in regulatory project reviews
- Draft clear positions on preservation issues
- Advocate that new construction complements historic structures
- Partner and develop relationships with city officials, neighborhoods, developers and other preservationists in the region
- Work to expand protections of historic resources
- Address current issues in the built environment as they relate to preservation (for example, zoning changes, affordability and climate impacts)
- Hold monthly meetings with in-depth discussions of advocacy activities
Talents we need:
- Passion for preserving historic resources
- An understanding of architectural terms and theory
- Experience in construction and various rules and regulations
- Knowledge of federal, state and local legislation that impacts preservation efforts
- Neighborhood voices that can alert us to preservation concerns
- Writing, social media or other content creation to publicize our work
Education & Programming Committee
Produces talks, tours, and events that make preservation, design, and local history engaging and accessible.
What we do:
- Produce and host events, talks, and tours related to Salem’s architectural history and its preservation
- Explain and make accessible preservation, design and historical topics to the general public
Talents we need:
- People with everything from a passion to a curiosity about design, preservation, history, or architecture
- Help to plan and host tours, talks and educational events
- People who can communicate interesting topics in an accessible and understandable way
Development & Communications Committee
Builds community and financial support for HSI through membership outreach, fundraising, grants, events, and strategic communications.
What we do:
- Attract new HSI members
- Engage with membership
- Write grant applications and identify other philanthropic sources of support
- Produce the Annual Meeting and Preservation Awards events
- Manage Annual Fund solicitation
- Ensure the organization’s print, web and social media communications are timely and effective
Talents we need:
- Help solicit corporate sponsorships
- Grant writing experience
- Public relations experience
- Marketing and communications experience with print, web and social media
- Event planning expertise
- Web design and maintenance experience
Christmas in Salem™ Committee
Plans and produces HSI’s Christmas in Salem event, our beloved annual holiday tour of historic homes that has brought festive cheer to the community for more than 45 years.
What we do:
- Plans and produces our Christmas in Salem holiday house tour which hosts approximately 2,000 guests annually
- Create the annual theme and coordinate with homeowners and volunteers
Talents we need:
- Event planning skills to help us manage the many details in making the tour a great experience for the homeowners and guests
- Sales skills to solicit advertisers for our tour guidebook
- House Guides with presentation skills to share commentary with visitors as they tour a home
- House Captains with leadership skills to recruit and support House Guides during the tour
Brick Committee
Promotes the preservation and repair of Salem’s historic brick sidewalks, advocating for safe, accessible, and visually cohesive streetscapes that honor the city’s heritage.
What We Do:
- Encourage the preservation of Salem’s historic brick sidewalks and discourage asphalt and concrete patchwork as long-term sidewalk repairs
- Strive to maintain the character of Salem’s historic streetscapes
- Advocate for safe sidewalks essential for pedestrian safety and mobility
Talents We Need:
- Individuals who appreciate and can advocate for the aesthetics of historic paving materials and their maintenance
- Experience with accessible design standards
