Ames Memorial Hall was designed by architect Walter J. Paine in 1896.  A generous bequest of $40,000 dollars from Colonel George L. Ames made the construction of the Hall possible.  In an article published on February 7, 1898, the Salem Gazette claimed,  “The money, placed in such hands, will be a constant power for good in this community”.  As a tribute to his generosity, the YMCA presented the center as the Ames Memorial Hall on February 2, 1899.  The building was embraced by the community with enthusiasm and quickly became an integral part of Salem’s daily life.


The Salem YMCA was a multi-faceted focal point of the community in the late 1800s. As evidenced by this historic photograph, Ames Memorial Hall was known as THE place to gather and to enjoy the arts.  

Ames Memorial Hall is where President Taft gave a presidential address to citizens of Salem and the North Shore.  It was the place where the community gathered to hear news, listen to speakers and meet people. It was the location of major musical performances throughout the decades. 

It was a gathering place:  where Teen Town was formed and where thousands of teens over many decades socialized and formed friendships and unions that endured for a lifetime.   

In the later years, as athletics gained greater favor, and when there was a need for additional recreation space, Ames Memorial Hall was turned into a gymnasium.  As always, times change and our communities change with them.  Restoring this important place to its original beauty and purpose will bring the arts back home to the historic Salem YMCA.




How You Can Help:

• Download a  Salem YMCA Capital Campaign Pledge Form and mail it to the YMCA
• Click to complete an On-line Capital Campaign Pledge Form
• Online donation page coming soon. For more information Contact the YMCA.