The records of the Salem Charitable Mechanic Association document the activities of this charitable organization which provided financial assistance to those employed in certain kinds of manual labor. The records are divided into four series.

Series I. Administrative Records contains the constitution and by-laws, minutes of meetings, and membership lists. The four record books, which contain minutes from annual meetings and trustees' meetings, include treasurers' reports, receipts, payments and balances of admissions, dismissals, deaths, and balances of membership, reports of all other committees, and the proceedings of annual elections of officers. Membership lists are nearly complete through 1890. For subsequent years, 1891-1932, membership information may be gleaned from the minutes of meetings. Also included in this series is a copy press letter book containing the outgoing correspondence of G. Arthur Bodwell, a secretary of the association. The correspondence details routine matters of the association: notifications of meetings, letters regarding overdue monies, notifications of meetings, letters releasing the payment of monies for funeral expenses etc. The folder of miscellaneous papers contains items such as notes of meetings, suggested amendment changes to the constitution, complaints brought against members and more.

Series II. Financial Records records the association's fiscal transactions and membership dues. The account books, which are complete from 1819 to 1900, itemize expenses and credits and list yearly balances. Additional information on receipts and payments may be found in the treasurers' reports given in the minutes of the annual meetings. Several different types of records of members' dues are fines are found in this series. The dues books, which are available only for 1833 to 1889, record members' names and the membership dues these individuals paid. The memorandum books are similar in nature, but record members' dues in the form of debits in a dues account. Members' names appear in roughly alphabetical order. The assessment lists were compiled in 1850 and cover the years 1833 to 1850, listing membership dues collected, current members, deceased members, members dismissed, etc. The miscellaneous financial papers include a bond and two fire insurance policies from 1870.

Series III. Educational Records includes the addresses and lectures of John Russell and James Kimball, two of the association's early officers, and are largely concerned with the arms and history of the association. The records of the library reveal how the library was established, and give various recommendations of the library committee. The committee's annual report includes inventories of the library, which reveal its growth and use for that year. Library bills and receipts reflect purchase of specific books for the library. The library book records members' library fines.

Series IV. Mechanic Hall Corporation Records pertains to the building, operation of, and activities that took place in the hall. Included are shareholders' certificates, minutes of the board of directors, treasurer's papers, building papers, and material relating to the two Mechanic's Fairs and other celebrations.