Refugees from Poland first came to Salem in the 1880s when the former maritime port became a leading industrial center. These immigrants often arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs and worked some of the most dangerous factory jobs. However, despite limited knowledge of the English language and American customs, they persevered to improve their lives and the lives of their children. The Polish Community of Salem chronicles the social, economic, and cultural transitions that took place as Polishimmigrants started life anew in Salem, created a vibrant community, gained US citizenship, and assimilated into American society.
Felicia L. Wilczenski, EdD, a professor and dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Massachusetts Boston, is the granddaughter of Polish immigrants who settled in Salem. Emily A. Murphy, PhD, is the park historian and public affairs officer at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. Together, they worked with volunteers from Salem's Polish community to gather images and information for this photographic history.