Antique postcard of Salem Common facing the 1st corner of the Witches Cup race course. Courtesy Photo

About the Salem Common Neighborhood Association

The Salem Common Neighborhood Association (SCNA) of Salem, Massachusetts is an organization whose mission is to advocate for the improvement, preservation, and protection of the Salem Common neighborhood and the historic Salem Common. The SCNA is also dedicated to the principle of fostering goodwill and camaraderie among neighbors. The SCNA is a tax-exempt entity under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and a non-profit corporation under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 180.

The association has a seven-member Board of Directors that meets monthly. The general membership meets quarterly. Membership in the Salem Common Neighborhood Association is open to all persons who express interest. The current SCNA membership roster represents 154 neighborhood households.

A recent shot of Salem Common with the antique iron fence in the foreground. Courtesy Photo

The Salem Common Neighborhood Association supports a variety of cultural, civic, and charitable endeavors including outdoor concerts and movies, a neighborhood watch program, candidate forums, and clothing, food, and toy drives. In October, 2004 the SCNA hosted the world-premier of the History Channel’s documentary Witch Hunt, at Salem’s Old Town Hall. In June, 2005 the SCNA celebrated the completion of its $30,000 restoration of Henry Hudson Kitson’s 1913 outdoor sculpture Roger Conant – First Settler of Salem.

The short-term goals of the Salem Common Neighborhood Association include to refurbish the tot-lot playground on Salem Common, promoting an historically-appropriate upgrade to the site of the 101 year old monument on Winter Street which commemorates the service of the 23rd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War and the redesign of the SCNA’s internet website.

A long-term goal of the neighborhood association is to become a catalyst for the successful restoration of the 1850 ornamental cast iron fencing that surrounds Salem Common.

Another antique postcard. this time facing the Salem Witch Museum from inside the Common. Courtesy Photo