This bill redesignates the Salem Maritime National Historic Site as the Salem Maritime National Historical Park and requires a boundary study to assess the potential inclusion of additional related sites in Salem, Massachusetts, into the National Park System.
Seth Moulton
Representative
MA-6
The "Salem Maritime National Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study Act" renames the Salem Maritime National Historic Site as the Salem Maritime National Historical Park. It also directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a boundary study to assess the potential inclusion of additional sites in Salem, Massachusetts, and its vicinity such as the Salem Armory Visitor Center and Salem Armory Park, into the National Park System as part of the Salem Maritime National Historical Park. The study will evaluate sites related to maritime history, coastal defenses, and military history. A report on the study's findings and recommendations must be submitted to Congress within three years.
Salem Maritime Gets New Name and Eyes Expansion: Feds to Study Adding More Historic Spots
This bill gives the Salem Maritime National Historic Site a slight name upgrade and, more significantly, kicks off a process to see if it should grow. The legislation officially renames the site as the Salem Maritime National Historical Park (Sec. 2) – mostly a change on paper, but one that aligns it with other major historical parks.
Scoping Out Salem's History
The bigger piece here is the directive for the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a boundary study (Sec. 3). Think of it as the National Park Service sending out scouts. Their mission? To figure out if other historically important sites nearby – specifically mentioning the Salem Armory Visitor Center and Salem Armory Park – should officially become part of the National Historical Park. The study isn't just about boats and trade; it will look at sites tied to the area's maritime history, coastal defenses, and military history, including National Guard activities.
What Happens Next?
This study isn't happening overnight. The Secretary has three years after funds are made available to complete the assessment and report back to Congress (specifically, the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources). That report will lay out the findings and recommend whether expanding the park boundaries is suitable and feasible. For folks in Salem, this could eventually mean a larger national park presence, potentially boosting tourism and local recognition. For visitors, it might mean more connected historical sites to explore under the NPS banner down the road. But for now, it's just a study – the first step in a longer process.