Celebrate Salem’s 400th anniversary with a hands-on journey into the region’s earliest food traditions!
Join Indigenous artist and historian Thomas Green and community herbalist Sheilagh Cruickshank for an engaging exploration of the foods and herbs that Native peoples in and around Salem grew and used for nourishment, healing, and cultural practices. During this free community event, guests will tour the Mack Park Farm and see demonstrations of what Indigenous and colonial gardens may have looked like 400 years ago. Learn how local tribes shared their farming and food knowledge with early settlers—wisdom that helped them survive New England’s harsh winters. Enjoy samples of traditional foods and beverages inspired by the flavors of the 1600s and beyond, and discover the deep roots that continue to shape Salem’s story today.