Join Historic Salem, Inc. for “Christmas in Salem—After the Great Salem Fire” in the historic South Salem spanning the grand boulevard of Lafayette Street. Private homes are beautifully decorated for the holiday season and open for tours throughout the weekend of December 5–7, 2014.

On June 25, 1914, a fire sparked that would eventually claim 252 acres of Salem—claiming hundreds of homes of businesses in its wake. In the years after the Great Salem Fire, the citizens of the city put forth an effort to rebuild their lost property in the form of buildings that reflected the height of the Colonial Revival architecture movement. On tour, visitors can tour these homes as well as the Victorians which were narrowly spared by the fire all while learning about the history of the South Salem neighborhood.

Besides tours of the homes, visitors are invited to join in a variety of other holiday events that are happening in Salem. Free events for ticket holders include the Salem Wine Imports Wine Tastings, a South Salem history and architectural walking tour led by Jim McAllister of Derby Square Tours and a mini Salem Food Tour with a stop at the Picklepot. The Salem Garden Club features a holiday boutique to support citywide beautification projects. The Salem Waterfront Hotel offers a special travel package that weekend for the Christmas in Salem events. New this year for ticketholders are factory tours and an open house at Harbor Sweets on Leavitt Street and a morning workout with B&S Fitness in historic Shetland Park. Please see website for complete schedule and details.

The Salem Trolley offers service between select tour sites, the Saltonstall School headquarters and downtown Salem all day Saturday and Sunday. On Friday night, advance ticket holders are welcome to enjoy a candlelight preview of three historic homes.

Tickets are $30 until December 3, 2014 and $35 on the day of the event. Advance tickets for members of Historic Salem, Inc. cost $25. Tickets are currently available at www.christmasinsalem.org. Advance tickets are available at a host of local retailers as well as at Historic Salem, Inc. headquarters starting November 1.

For more information, please call 978-745-0799 or visit www.christmasinsalem.org.

Christmas in Salem—After the Great Salem Fire  is presented by Historic Salem, Inc. an advocacy group dedicated to preserving Salem’s historic resources and educating the community to their value. The historic house tour and other fundraising efforts of Historic Salem, Inc. are the primary source of funds for the restoration of the National Historic Landmark, The Nathaniel Bowditch House.