In 2017, as part of an effort to better understand the history of some of Salem’s underrepresented communities, the City of Salem’s Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) decided to learn more about Salem’s Chinese community. We discovered that Salem did, in fact, have a Chinatown located in our downtown, but unfortunately no buildings remain. Archaeological excavations were conducted in 2017 and 2018 revealed a flat cement slab with three holes with a partial raised section along one edge and a marble tablet with a Chinese inscription. The inscription on the Shrine’s marble tablet has been translated to mean “To the Tomb of an Unknown Friend.” To learn more about this project please see our 2022 OHQ article. We believe the Shrine was constructed as a funerary table in order to provide the Chinese a place to leave offerings for their family members during their annual Qing Ming Festival, held every year in April. This celebration is similar to our Memorial Day that we celebrate in May. We worked with Salem’s Chinese community to reinstate our celebration of the Qing Ming Festival at the cemetery using the same funerary table they used in the 1800s. If you are interested in joining us this year, we will be celebrating The eighth annual Qing Ming Festival at Salem’s Pioneer Cemetery will be held on April 4, 2026 at 11:00. Please visit our website at cityofsalem.net to learn more.