VISitors from massachusetts

Salem history enthusiasts explore their city founder's birthplace

Michael and Anthea Downes (left) with Fairlynch Chairman Trevor Waddington and Karen, Rusty and Samantha from Salem

 
History came full circle in Budleigh Salterton when the town’s Fairlynch Museum hosted a party from Salem in Massachusetts this week.
 
The group was tracing the footsteps of one of the area’s most famous sons, Roger Conant, born in East Budleigh in 1592. After sailing to America in 1623 he settled in Massachusetts and founded Salem, north of Boston. He developed a reputation as a peacekeeper, resolving many of the issues that faced the early settlers.
 
In recent years, there’s been a growth of interest in Conant and Karen Scalia from Salem Food Tours led the group visiting East Devon to get a sense of the region's heritage. Friends of Fairlynch Michael and Anthea Downes welcomed the group and accompanied them around the exhibitions.
 
Karen said “This wonderful museum really inspired on our visit to this beautiful and unique area. Delighted to learn so much about the history and important figures that make this area one to return to. Thank you!”
 
The Fairlynch Museum Chairman, Trevor Waddington, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Karen and her visitors to the museum and to help fill in the details about the area where Roger Conant grew up. They seemed to be fascinated by our museum and our acclaimed collection of artefacts that represent millions of years of history in East Devon.“
 

---