Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
SALEM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Salem is celebrating its 400-year history through food.
Once inhabited by the Naumkeag band of the Massachusett and Pawtucket tribes, the area was renamed Salem in 1626 after colonists arrived from England. As Salem celebrates 400 years, there are few better ways to understand its history than through its food, says Karen Scalia, founder of Salem Food Tours.
"Everyone I've spoken to over the years through my tours, I would just talk to them about, you know, their grandmother's recipe or the thing that brings them back to childhood, and it's those sensory experiences that I think really grounds us," Scalia explained. "And it's a great way to also understand Salem's history as not only a spice trade capital of the world, but our changing farm and waterways, the history of that, the past, present, future of that."
Read More: Salem Tourism Staple Ranked Best Cultural And Historic Experience In U.S.
Visitors can participate in free events, such as a Salem food-history exhibit at Old Town Hall, enjoy historically inspired dishes and drinks at local restaurants, or catch food-themed film screenings at Salem Cinema.
Capping the nearly two-week celebration is an evening with the Food Channel's Chef Scott Conant, a direct descendant of Roger Conant, who is credited with founding Salem four centuries ago.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Kendall Buhl (@WBZKendall) reports.