Project Management:
Salem Women's Heritage Trail

In 1999, Bonnie Hurd Smith was conducting research in Salem, Massachusetts, and she kept encountering interesting women in Salem history. The former director of the Boston Women's Trail, Bonnie thought, why not create a women's heritage trail in Salem? Everyone she approached agreed that it was a great idea.

To accomplish this goal, she:

• put together a team of local researchers, historians, and educators to help develop the list of names and sites

• approached Salem's leading cultural, educational, and tourism organizations for their official endorsement

• created a "nomination flyer" distributed all over Salem that encouraged residents to submit names

• placed stories in local media (see below)

• worked with the Salem Chamber of Commerce Caroline Emmerton Committee to raise the funds needed to publish the trail guidebook

• worked with the Chamber to plan special events

• developed fundraising materials

• wrote or edited text for the guidebook, designed the book, and oversaw its printing

• developed a website

Today, the Salem Women's Heritage Trail Guidebook may be purchased at venues in Salem and through this website. The original team of contributors offers programs and guided tours, especially in March for National Women's History Month.



The July 6, 1999 edition of The Salem Evening News, announcing the development of the trail and encouraging citizens to contribute.