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The Salem State University Archives and Special Collections is excited to announce the acquisition of The Salem News Historic Photograph Collection. The collection consists primarily of local photographs and negatives created by The Salem News and its predecessor publications. These images span over a century and exemplify the history, events, and people of Salem, Essex County, and beyond. The acquisition of this collection aligns with the Archives’ commitment to preserving and providing access to the historical records of Salem and Essex County with special emphasis on the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Salem Evening News was founded by Robin Damon (1862-1920) in October 1880. The newspaper offices were originally housed in the Browne Block at 224 Essex Street in Salem, Massachusetts. The newspaper briefly moved to the Arrington Block at 159-189 Washington Street before returning to the Browne Block. As business continued to increase, a printing press was installed on the second floor of 10 ½ Lafayette Street, printing up to 25,000 papers per hour. By 1897, the Salem Evening News had an estimated 90,000 daily readers.
Many of the earliest photographs in The Salem News Historic Photograph Collection were taken by Salem photographer, Leland Ormond Tilford (1874-1960). Tilford opened a photography studio at 274 Essex Street in 1903 and remained at that location until about 1927, before relocating to 200 1/2 Essex Street. During his time as a photographer, Tilford regularly contributed to the newspaper. His photographs document pivotal events in Salem’s history such as The Great Salem Fire of 1914, the World War II homefront, and celebrations like Salem’s 1926 Tercentenary observance. Tilford ended his photography business around 1932, when he began managing the Federal Bowling Alleys.
In 1927, the Salem Evening News moved to a newly completed two-story building at 155 Washington Street, later expanding to include the neighboring building, known as the Central House. The newspaper continued to maintain heavy circulation and introduced their well-known witch logo on April 2, 1969. After four generations in the Damon family, The Salem Evening News was sold to Ottoway Newspapers in 1994 and was consolidated with other regional newspapers into the former Beverly Times office. In August 2002, the newspaper shortened its name to The Salem News.
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PRESS RELEASE 2021
Over the next year, Salem State University Archives and Special Collections staff will comb through the collection of more than 70 boxes containing approximately 60,000 photographs, 230,000 images on 35mm film negatives and positives, and an additional 24,000 medium format film negatives. Over 200 images from this collection have already been digitized and made available online for public viewing. Portions of the collection will continue to be made available online and to researchers once the items have been inventoried, cataloged, and assessed for preservation needs.
The Salem State University Archives and Special Collections holds the historical records of Salem State University from its founding in 1854 to the present. Special Collections include the Salem Savings Bank Records, Nelson Dionne Salem History collection, the Stephen J. Griffin Rare Book collection, the Woman's Friend Society Records, the papers of Congressman Michael J. Harrington, and the records of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem. Those interested in donating archival collections or contributing to The Salem News Historic Photograph Collection fund please contact: Susan Edwards, University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, sedwards@salemstate.edu.
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Digitized Archives
The Salem News Historic Photograph Collection
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