James R. Harrison, Robert Scoville, Hubert James, and Malcolm Rudd founded the Salisbury Association as a civic improvements organization in 1902 when the town was largely a farming community. Financed through membership dues ($1 per year) and private contributions, $1,000 was raised from ninety-one people.

In their letter to prospective members, the founders described their plans: “It is proposed, for the present, to devote our energies mainly to tree-planting along the highways.” Robert Scoville was elected the Association’s first president, and 25 trees were planted that fall. By 1905, the number had increased to almost 700.

Why trees? Salisbury’s iron industry that lasted almost 200 years was in decline. By 1902, Salisbury’s hills and landscape had been stripped of trees to make charcoal for the forges and blast furnaces. Association members recognized the problem and planted trees along our roadways to provide shade and beauty.

Other early activities were events celebrating and promoting agriculture. Since colonial days, farm fairs had been an important part of community life. Beginning in 1903 and lasting until World War I, the Association sponsored three-day agricultural fairs that attracted thousands of participants and spectators.

Since 1991, the Salisbury Association has made its home in the historic 1833 Academy Building that includes office and exhibition space and storage area for some of its collections. 

Programs, activities, and educational outreach are carried out through three primary committees: Land Trust, Historical Society, and Community Events, a 3-in-1 structure unique among New England towns. It took more than a century for the Association’s structure to evolve into its present form and for the scope of its mission to include: 

The organization still receives no funding from the town and relies on the generosity of the community for donations.  

Dedicated volunteers still lead the organization but are now assisted by several paid staff. Each era of volunteers has adjusted the course of what the mission should be, given the challenges of the day and prospects for the future. 

Today the Land Trust works with landowners who wish to permanently protect some or all of their land from future development. Through the generosity of landowners and other contributors and grants from the state and private foundations, the Salisbury Association Land Trust has conserved and protected more than 4,500 acres.

To learn more about the Land Trust and its conserved properties, click here. 

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 raised awareness of the importance of historic structures, how they shape the identity of a community, and the economic benefits that heritage tourism can foster. It impacted the country as well as our town. 

Beginning in the late 1950s and accelerating after 1971, the Association’s work expanded to include helping to preserve and restore two Salisbury landmarks with significant ties to our history: the Holley-Williams House and the Academy Building. 

Today the Historical Society records, preserves, and presents the town’s history and manages, conserves, and displays its collections.

To learn more about the Historical Society and publications available for sale, click here.

The 1833 Academy Building is one of Salisbury’s most historic structures and has played a central role in the life of the town. Built as a private academy, it has served the community as a public school, Circuit Court, temporary Town Hall, meeting house, office space for numerous nonprofits and town commissions, art gallery, and exhibition space. The Academy Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.