Charlotte Forten Park
At 289 Derby Street on the South River the roughly 25,000 square foot Charlotte Forten Park, formerly a vacant lot, was constructed with state grant funds and includes a plaza for programs and performances, a haborwalk around the South River, swing seating facing the water, built-in percussion features, and green space. An adjacent private property is beginning development to include an extension of the harborwalk, as well as outdoor dining seating for a future restaurant.
A bronze statue of Charlotte Forten was placed in the park in the fall of 2024, to honor her years as an educator and abolitionist. The statue was dedicated on Nov. 16th with local officials and stakeholders gathered at the park.
For more info on Charlotte Forten, see this page on our wiki
See Also
Vertical File in Salem Collection - Forten, Charlotte
"Equal attention: with artist selected, work begins to portray Forten" Salem News, Feb. 2, 2024, p. 1
"Salem names 289 Derby Street park for abolitionist Charlotte Forten" Salem Gazette, Aug. 19, 2019.
"Salem dedicated new Charlotte Forten memorial" Salem News, Nov. 19, 2024.
