April, 2025 – Fishing Weir
From April 28 to 30, The Gables partnered with The Massachusett Tribe, City of Salem, Salem Sound Coast Watch, other members and volunteers from the Massachusett in Salem Working Group, and approximately 400 Salem 4th graders! Together with the students, a fishing weir was constructed using sticks, brush, and stone tools. A fishing weir is a traditional indigenous fishing method where a “net” is created by weaving brush through sturdy vertical sticks that have been hammered into the ground using stones as hammers. When the tide comes in, fish easily float over the top of the weir, but as it goes out they get caught in large quantities. That fish is then preserved through smoking to help get through the cold and lean months.
After constructing the weir, students were able to sample the smoked fish, were taught how a mishoon, or traditional indigenous dug out canoe, is constructed, and learn about the role of sustainable practices, such as those used by indigenous groups, in mitigating climate change.
November, 2025 – From Salem Common to Conflict: The First Muster and the Pequot War Panel & Dinner
On November 18, 2025, The House of the Seven Gables hosted an evening of reflection, history, and community. Guests enjoyed a seasonal, sustainable fall menu inspired by Indigenous foodways, and had the opportunity to purchase books related to the evening’s topics. This event supported ongoing efforts with the City of Salem, the Massachusett Tribe in Salem, and The House of the Seven Gables in honoring Indigenous Peoples Month through public programming, fostering reciprocal and ongoing relationships with Northeast Woodlands tribes, confronting the legacy of violence and colonialism rooted in the First Muster, and reimagining how we engage with its commemoration today.
The evening opened with a land acknowledgement and remarks from Thomas Green, Tribal Member, Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoa, who also served as moderator. The panel featured three distinguished speakers: Benjamin Shallop, Author of The Founding of Salem: City of Peace; Connor P. Smith, educator; and Nakai Clearwater Northup (Pequot, Narragansett), educator with historical context and background on the First Muster and the Pequot War.
Coordinated by Inclusive Excellence’s Center for Equity, Education and Belonging (CEEB), City of Salem, Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag, and The House of the Seven Gables, this event took place at Ellison Campus Center Veterans Hall at Salem State University.
March, 2026 – Pequot War and the First Muster Panel
On March 29, 2026, The House of the Seven Gables hosted an evening of reflection, history, and community. Special guest speakers from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, alongside local Author and Historian, Benjamin Shallop, discussed Salem’s role in and the lasting impact of the Pequot War (1636-1638) ahead of the First Muster commemoration. Guests enjoyed an Indigenous menu by Nakai Clearwater Northup of Rez Life Outdoors before the program.
The evening opened with a land acknowledgement and remarks from Visitor Services Manager, Tanya Rose Lane, who served as moderator. The panel featured four distinguished speakers: Benjamin Shallop, Author of The Founding of Salem: City of Peace, Connor P. Smith, Educator, Rashad Young, Director of Language for Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, and Michael Thomas, Cultural Competency Expert and former Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council.
May, 2026 – Fishing Weir
On May 9, 2026, we again partnered with the Massachusett tribe for the school field trip program, now held annually, as well as the first publicly constructed fish weir. Held on Dead Horse Beach, the public weir saw ward councillors, students, Salem residents, and history enthusiasts come together as part of the Salem 400+ celebrations.