Salem and East Budleigh Celebrate 400 Years of Transatlantic Connection
A 400-Year-Old Bond Becomes Official
Salem, MA City Councilors, and Karen Scalia of Salem Food Tours and author Ben Shallop of Salem, February 12th, 2026, after passing Sister City resolution with East Budleigh, UK
Four centuries after Roger Conant left his Devon village to establish what would become Salem, Massachusetts, the two communities he connects are making their bond official. In February 2026, Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo and East Budleigh Parish Council Chair John Tresidder formalized a Sister City twinning that honors this shared transatlantic heritage. The Salem 400 sister city East Budleigh partnership now anchors a year of celebrations on both sides of the Atlantic.
Who Was Roger Conant and Why Does He Matter Today?
Roger Conant was born in East Budleigh, a small village in Devon, England, around 1592. He arrived in the New World in 1623 and eventually led the settlement at Naumkeag, which became Salem in 1629. Known as a peacemaker who navigated conflicts between settler factions, Conant earned recognition as Salem’s founding father.
Today, his statue stands by Salem Common as a daily reminder of the city’s origins. Meanwhile, East Budleigh has long claimed Conant as one of its most notable residents. The Salem East Budleigh twinning formalizes a connection that locals in both communities have felt for generations.
What Events Mark Salem’s Quadricentennial in 2026?
Food at 400+
Salem 400+ is the umbrella for a full calendar of commemorative programming throughout 2026. The celebrations span both communities, starting in England and building through the summer in Salem.
In East Budleigh, the first-ever Peacemaker Festival runs May 15–17, 2026. The village will host historical reenactments, community gatherings, and transatlantic dialogues honoring Conant’s legacy. As John Tresidder noted, “We were unaware there were any descendants of Roger Conant until recently. Discovering that a 13th-generation descendant is a celebrity chef has added a wonderful dimension.”
Back in Salem, the marquee event is Food at 400+, a multi-experience festival running June 11–22, 2026. Organized by Salem Food Tours—a Creative Collective member—Food at 400+ explores Salem’s culinary history through the lenses of food, fishing, farming, trade, and community.
How Does a Celebrity Chef Connect to Salem’s Founding?
Chef Scott Conant
Scott Conant, the Food Network star and acclaimed restaurateur, is a 13th-generation descendant of Roger Conant. He is headlining Food at 400+ with a special ticketed event, “An Evening with Scott Conant,” which will be held at the Sophia Gordon Performing Arts Center in Salem on Saturday, June 13th.
“Discovering the depth of my family’s roots in Salem has been incredibly moving,” Scott Conant said.
Food at 400+ will also feature walking food tours, local chef pop-ups, historical cooking demonstrations, and family-friendly programming. Tickets and the full schedule are available at salemfoodtours.com/food-at-400+.
A Living Connection Between Two Communities
Karen Scalia of Salem Food Tours, visiting East Budleigh, UK in June of 2025. The first time visit was very special, fulfilling a long time wish. She met with local historians and officials, helping prepare for Food at 400+/Salem 400+ festivities.
Mayor Pangallo emphasized that this Sister City relationship is built for the future, not just the anniversary. “This twinning goes beyond a ceremonial gesture,” he said. “It’s an investment in cultural exchange, educational partnerships, and shared economic development that will benefit both communities for years to come.”
Salem Food Tours, the Creative Collective member organizing Food at 400+, sees the festival as a way to weave Salem’s deep history into its thriving present. The organization regularly guides visitors through the city’s culinary landscape, and this quadricentennial celebration extends that mission across the Atlantic.
For anyone interested in Salem’s story—from its founding by a Devon peacemaker to its vibrant food scene today—the Salem 400 sister city East Budleigh celebrations offer a rare chance to experience living history. Follow Salem 400+ programming at salem400.org and explore Food at 400+ events at salemfoodtours.com/food-at-400+.
Food at 400+ June 11th to 22nd, 2206 will commemorate Salem’s 400th anniversary and welcome Chef Scott Conant and the Sister City bridge with Salem, MA and East Budleigh, UK
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