Salem Common Arch Fund, Salem, MA

For those of you living in Salem, MA and anyone interested in the history of our nation, please take the time to hear our story. 

    The Washington Arch, built in 1805, was created by the well known woodcarver and architect Samuel McIntire. It was built as a tribute to General George Washington who visited the Common many times to review the troops. In 1850, the Arch was removed as the Common was remodeled and the current fence was installed around the perimeter of the green. In 1976, the Bicentennial Commission under the direction of Robert Murray commissioned the reconstruction of the Arch and designated it the McIntire Washington Arch.

     During the years of neglect and severe weather, the Arch has fallen on hard times. In 1988 some effort was put into its restoration, however time has not been kind and it is in desperate need of a complete overhaul.

     This Arch is of great importance to Salem because of its use in the annual muster held by the National Guard and its formal review of the Troops on the Common. In 2012, The Salem Common was designated the official birthplace of the National Guard and on January 10th, 2013, President Obama signed Public Law 112-241 that named Salem, Massachusetts as the birthplace of the National Guard. When this project is finally completed, the troops will be able to march through the Arch on their way to the muster and formal review. The completion of this project will also symbolize the importance of Samuel McIntire’s legacy to the City of Salem.

     For two years, the Salem Common Neighborhood Association has been holding fundraisers and asking for donations from the citizens of Salem to help us restore the Arch to its former glory. As of right now, we have raised enough money to complete the majority of the main sections of the Arch, however we are now without the funds to complete the carving of Washington and the swags at the top of the Arch. The SCNA also feels it is their responsibility to leave the Arch with enough funding to see to its continual repair and repainting, but more importantly, ensure its place in history.

     



     We ask that you take the time to help us restore this essential piece of history in Salem, MA and provide us with the necessary tools to keep this legacy viable and in good standing for generations to come. The money raised will not only go towards securing the Arch as a permanent piece of history in Salem, but it will also help us connect this piece of our historical legacy to The Heritage Trail, a walking tour designed to illustrate the many historically salient pieces of our beautiful city. We will also be able to add interpretive signs around the Arch, describing its importance to not only Salem's history, but our history as a nation.

    Thank you for your time and we hope you will find this as worthy a cause as we do.
     
    Sincerely,
The Board of Directors
of the Salem Common Neighborhood Association