Friendship of Salem

The Friendship of Salem is a full-scale replica tall ship operated by the National Park Service at Salem Maritime National Historical Park. It was built to commemorate Salem’s role as one of the nation’s leading ports in the years following the American Revolution, and it represents the merchant vessels that helped make the town a center of global trade in post-Colonial America. The ship is berthed at Derby Wharf, where visitors can view it.

A visit to the ship fits into a broader walk through Salem Maritime, the first National Historic Site established in the United States. Along the harbor, visitors can walk out on Derby Wharf, see the Custom House featured in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, and explore the Derby House, Narbonne House and the West India Goods Store. Seasonal tours, ranger programs and self-guided options cover Salem’s seafaring past.

What to Know

• The ship is undergoing restoration but remains open to visitors on limited weekend hours.
• Current access updates and seasonal schedules are posted on the National Park Service website.
• The park offers lesson plans, films and field trip information for teachers and students.
• The park’s website also covers the history of Black people and communities in Essex County.