Waite and Peirce Information Center and Park Store at Salem Maritime National Historical Park

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Waite and Peirce Information Center and Park Store is located on Central Wharf at 193 Derby Street in an authentic warehouse built around 1805 that originally sat on Front Street. The National Park Service moved it here in 1976. Don’t quote me on it, but I believe Aaron Waite and Jerathmiel Peirce had a warehouse and store on or near this location, which is why the National Park Service named the building after them. They were also the owners of the original Friendship of Salem.

Waite and Peirce is first and foremost a gift store, but you can get a park map for Salem Maritime National Historical Park, as well as ask questions about what there is to do at the park. It is the closest visitor center to the main attractions on Derby Street. There is another visitor center at 2 New Liberty Street, the Salem Armory Visitor Center, where you can get not only information on the park, but also on the Essex National Heritage Area and the tourist attractions within the city of Salem.

Salem Maritime National Historical Park does not have its own parking lot. Metered street parking is tough to get unless you arrive first thing in the morning, so your best bet is to park at the public garage on the corner of Congress and Derby streets just a few blocks away. There is another garage across the street from the Salem Armory Visitor Center, but it is a half-mile walk to the wharf area where all of the park’s historical buildings are located.

OPERATING HOURS

The Waite and Peirce Information Center and Park Store is open daily from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Keep in mind that times can always change, so be sure to get the latest schedule on the National Park Service’s official Waite and Peirce web page for Salem Maritime National Historical Park.

AMENITIES

• Pick up a park brochure
• Large gift store that specializes in exotic goods just like those sold in the 1800s (teas, spices, etc.), as well as apparel, toys, books, and other modern-day gifts
• Restroom building is next door