Place cherries, sugar, water, cinnamon, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until cherries release juice and seem to be swimming in cherry syrup.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Place cherries in a non-reactive container, cover, and refrigerate until completely chilled, preferably overnight.
After churning the ice cream, fold in cherries. Pack and freeze ice cream as usual.