By: Michelle Jones, Follow South Jersey Corresponding Writer
Editor’s Note: As part of the commemoration of Salem City’s 350th Anniversary, Follow South Jersey and the Follow Salem Podcast will offer 350 stories about the past, present, and future of Salem throughout 2025. We’d love to hear your story. Please contact Dean Johnson, Editor-in-Chief of Follow South Jersey, at dean@hopeloft.com.
SALEM, N.J. – The Salem City Library is proud to be participating in the year-long celebration of the 350th anniversary of the settlement of Salem City, NJ. The city was founded by John Fenwick in 1675, making 2025 the 350th year of the city’s inception.
The library houses an extensive collection of books and various other resources that speak to the history of the city, county, and state of New Jersey. From this collection the library staff has created a display of some of the more unique and important items of their collection, highlighting interesting people, places, and facts surrounding the history of Salem.
Visitors will find the items on display in the Hazel K. Anderson Reading Room portion of the library. Included among the items is a beautiful, amber colored glass Salem Oak bottle featuring a raised image of the once majestic Salem Oak Tree.
Visitors will also find the 300th anniversary article in Today’s Sunbeam, a collection of books by George Acnew Chamberlain, historical documents on foundation of the library, Salem High School yearbooks dating back to 1919, articles from The Town Crier, a large collection on books of New Jersey, as well as items from the Patricia Reese Collection and the Elizabeth Pancoast Fogg Collection.
The 350th Anniversary Collection on display at the Salem City Library is just the tip of the iceberg of what this library offers. History buffs, readers, and those with unique interests would most certainly enjoy perusing these hallowed halls.
The Salem City Library is open to the public Tues. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. / Wed. 10-3 p.m. / Thurs. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. / Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and is located at 112 W. Broadway, Salem. The library can be reached at 856-935-0526 or through their website at mysalemlibrary.org.
- What’s Good in South Jersey? Chris the Barber
- Stockton Hosts Annual Lines on the Pines Event
- Rowan University Virtua Health Opens Research Center
Follow South Jersey provides local journalism which highlights our diverse communities; fosters transparency through robust, localized, and vital reporting that holds leaders and institutions accountable; addresses critical information needs; supports people in navigating civic life; and equips people with the information necessary to partake in effective community engagement. If there is a story or event you think we should cover, please send your tips to news@followsouthjersey.com with “NEWS” in the subject line.
