“Four decades ago downtown Salem was on the chopping block. Urban renewal called for the removal of 175 buildings to make way for parking lots and the construction of a four-lane road right through the city’s center,” says Salem Strolls tour company owner and Historic Salem, Inc volunteer Hannah Diozzi. “Today, thanks to the vision of enlightened city officials and concerned citizens, these landmarks from the early 19th through mid-20th centuries survive and thrive as the core of Salem’s urban renaissance.”
Thirteen of these buildings, many in new incarnations, were selected to be showcased and artistically decorated by local florists and designers on Historic Salem Inc’s, 27th annual “Heart of Historic Salem 2006 Holiday House Tour.” Welcome to a pictorial journey of some of the stars of this season’s holiday house tour. They won’t always be dressed for the holidays, but thanks to the dedication of Salem’s visionaries these magnificent architectural landmarks make a visit to the city worthwhile any time of year.