Massachusetts Attractions: The Salem Witch Museum

The Salem Witch Museum is located on Washington Square in Salem, Massachusetts. The museum will take you back in time to the summer in which hundreds were accused, imprisoned and hanged for practicing witchcraft. Bridget Bishop was tried on June 2 and hanged on June 10 setting the precedent for a summer of executions.

New Exhibit at the Salem Witch Museum in Salem, Massachusetts

Witches: Evolving Perceptions examines the stereotypical witch, aspects of witchcraft in the 17th century, modern witchcraft and the phenomenon of witch hunts. If you are uncertain as to whether or not you believe in witches, visit the Salem Witch Museum and then make your decision.

Visitors are given a dramatic history lesson using stage sets with life-size figures, lighting and a narration – an overview of the Witch Trials in 1692.

History of the witch trials and executions

In the 17th century under the British law those accused of communicating with the devil were considered felons and committing a crime against their government. The punishment for this crime was “hanging.”

There was a difference between being “afflicted” and being “accused.” The afflicted people were those supposedly possessed and tormented. These people were the ones who cried out and accused the names of those who supposedly possessed them.

It apparently was “girls” who were calling out names of those who supposedly possessed them. The reason for their behavior termed as “fits” elicited many theories. One theory was that these girls were adolescent hysteria and ergot poisoned. There is no definite answer.

Tituba was an Arawak or Carib Indian from Barbados and was Reverend Samuel Parris’ slave. There was documentation of her role in the witch trials that includes arrest and confession of witchcraft on May 1, 1692. Her influence on the afflicted girls’ behavior is unclear. It was said Tituba told Salem Village children mysterious tales of the Devil.

The majority of the accused were females; however, men were accused as well. Five men were convicted and hanged. One man, Giles Cory, was pressed to death for refusing to cooperate with the court. The names of the persons who were hanged are:

• Bridge Bishop
• George Burroughs
• Martha Carrier
• Martha Corey
• Mary Easty
• Sarah Good
• Elizabeth Howe
• George Jacobs, Sr.
• Susannah Martin
• Rebecca Nurse
• Alice Parker
• Mary Parker
• John Proctor
• Ann Pudeator
• Wilmott Redd
• Margaret Scott
• Samuel Wardwell
• Sarah Wildes
• John Williard

The nature of their alleged crime did not allow these victims to be buried in consecrated ground; therefore, no one knows how they were actually buried. Traditions told families came to Gallows Hill, claimed their relatives, and buried their bodies privately.

The witch trials era lasted less than a year. First arrests were made March 1, 1692 and final hanging day was September 22, 1692. When it was all over, Jurors and magistrates apologized to the victims’ families and a Day of Fasting and Remembrance was instituted. There is not much known of the lives of the afflicted girls. It is believed Tituba was sold and taken out of the Salem Village area.

The contemporary perceptions of witchcraft are that it is a pantheistic religion that includes reverence for nature, belief in the rights of others and pride in one’s own spirituality. Those who practice witchcraft focus on the good and positive in life and in the spirit and entirely reject any connection with the devil. Their beliefs go back to ancient times before the advent of Christianity. No ties exist between them and the Christian’s perception of evil. Modern day witches do not wear black hats, have green faces and ride on broomsticks.

The Salem Museum is the most visited museum in Salem, Massachusetts. Hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in July and August, extended hours in October, closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day?

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© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved