Salem Historic Site Shuttered Due to Government Shutdown

The federal government shutdown has resulted in the closure of Salem Maritime National Historical Park, coinciding with Salem's peak Halloween season.

Facilities at the Salem Maritime National Historical Park, operated by the National Park Service, are closed as of Wednesday, Oct. 1, as a result of the government shutdown, according to a statement from Mayor Dominick Pangallo's office shared with MassLive. This closure also impacts the visitor center at the site and access to public restrooms.

According to the park's website, the historical attraction features more than a dozen historic structures, including an armory, historic homes, and shops. The park also contains a replica tall ship in the harbor and a “witness house” to the 1692 witch trials, the Narbonne House.

The park is one of Salem's most popular tourist attractions, particularly during the city's Halloween Happenings festivities in October. According to MassLive, Salem is expecting more than one million visitors this Halloween season.