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Salem Oak and Friends Burial Ground: What Remains
The original Salem Oak is gone, and burial-ground entry is not verified. The great white oak that stood at the Salem Friends Burial Ground fell on June 6, 2019. Its story remains central to Salem's local memory, but older visitor listings that describe a living tree are out of date. The burial ground is held by Salem Friends; view it respectfully from public space unless the meeting gives permission to enter.
Original conceptual rendering; not a photograph of the Salem Friends Burial Ground. The Salem Oak fell in 2019.
Salem
Salem County
112 West Broadway
Salem, NJ 08079
The oak and Salem's founding story
The Salem Oak was a centuries-old white oak associated in local tradition with John Fenwick's arrival and dealings with Lenape people in 1675. That account is a local tradition, not proof of a particular meeting under the tree. The Salem County cultural heritage account and county history page place the oak among the area's enduring symbols. The tree fell in 2019, so a visit today cannot include it standing.
A burial ground, not a public park
The Friends Burial Ground occupies 112 West Broadway in Salem, NJ 08079. City planning records identify the Salem Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends as the owner. This is a place of remembrance. A Salem Meeting member's account in Friends Journal asked visitors to respect the cemetery walls after the collapse; current entry permissions could not be verified. Contact the Salem Monthly Meeting before entering, and do not treat the older tourist listing's hours as current permission.
What to look for from outside
From a public sidewalk, consider the scale of the burial ground and its setting along Broadway. The Salem Friends Meeting House at 200 East Broadway is a different property, so do not confuse its address with the burial ground. The original oak's absence is part of the story: local people have preserved its memory through records and descendants rather than a standing landmark.
Continue a Salem history route
Use the Salem County hub and Salem County Historical Society guide to plan an accessible, operator-confirmed history stop. Hancock House offers another county story. If a burial-ground visit matters to you, ask Salem Meeting directly for current guidance and respect any posted restrictions.
Good to know before you go
Is the original Salem Oak still standing?
No. The original tree fell on June 6, 2019.
Can I enter the Friends Burial Ground?
Public entry permission is unverified. View from public space and ask Salem Monthly Meeting before entering.
Where was the oak?
At the Salem Friends Burial Ground, 112 West Broadway, Salem, New Jersey 08079.
Is the burial ground the same as the meeting house?
No. The current Salem Friends Meeting House is at 200 East Broadway, a different property.
What history stop can I pair with it?
Try the Salem County Historical Society after confirming its current hours.
Next step: Ask Salem Monthly Meeting about current burial-ground access; the original tree is no longer standing. Information last checked October 11, 2026.