Salem, MA–Are witches real? I went to Salem to find out; stayed in a haunted hotel and discovered one of America’s most charming towns. What I wouldn’t have given for another day there. Located about an hour North of Boston, Salem is best known for it’s 1692 witch trials. During that one year in Salem’s history over 200 people were accused of witchcraft. Nineteen of them were hanged and another was pressed to death. A method of torture in which a large wooden plank is placed over the victim and heavy boulders are placed on the plank crushing the accused to death.
Salem Witch Museum
Witch Museum
Witch house from 1692
Many of those accused of witchcraft in 1692 Salem were outcasts or held different religious beliefs than their Puritan neighbors. They were people like Bridget Bishop. Bishop was a business woman. She ran a local tavern and owned apple orchards. She was feisty and liked to wear red, which often made her stand out. Bishop was the first of the accused to die. She was hanged on June 10, 1692. She never confessed to being a witch and maintained her innocence until the end. Another was John Proctor a farmer who scoffed at the idea of witchcraft. He called the accusers, “Scam artists.” Proctor was accused of witchcraft and hung on August 19, 1692.
Bridget Bishop Memorial
The site of Bishop’s former tavern
John Proctor Memorial
The accusers were a group of young girls encouraged by their parents to accuse people they didn’t like as an act of revenge. In Puritan Massachusetts of 1692 girls were not allowed an education. Expressing themselves was frowned upon and they were often married off at a young age to men chosen by their parents. Their accusations led to the mass hysteria and scapegoating.
The term witch hunt has been used a lot in recent years, especially by the current occupant of the White House, but whether he is the victim or the perpetrator, I suggest taking a trip to Salem and discovering the history and charms of the town for yourself.
There are many ways to get to Salem. I suggest taking the high speed ferry from Boston’s Long Wharf. It’s a relaxing ride and will get you there in under an hour.
https://www.bostonharborcruises.com/salem-ferry/salem-ferry/
There are around 30 companies that give historical tours of Salem. I chose Witch City Walks. Tour guides in Salem are required to be licensed. Whoever you choose, make sure your guide is wearing theirs.
https://www.witchcitytours.co/
Hawthorne Hotel
The Merchant Hotel
I stayed at the historic Hawthorne Hotel which is rumored to be haunted. It is built on the sight of Bridget Bishop’s former apple orchard. Room 612 is allegedly the most haunted room. I stayed in 601. Guests have also claimed they can hear the sound of a child crying on the third floor. I experienced nothing during my stay at The Hawthorne. Allegedly, the most haunted hotel in Salem is said to be The Merchant. George Corwin, the former sheriff during the witch trials was once buried in the walls on the sight. Corwin had a reputation as a sadistic torturer. He died of a massive heart attack at the age of 29. Guests who have stayed at the Merchant claim to have experienced a very bad energy there. Some having difficulty breathing and feeling pressure on their chest.
Don’t leave Salem without visiting The Salem Witch Trials Memorial. Dedicated in 1992 for the 300th anniversary of the witch trials it is a memorial to those who died. Nobel Laureate and holocaust survivor Eli Wiesel and Crucible playwright Arthur Miller, both attended the ceremonies. It is important to remember that the memorial is not a place for selfies and laughter, but a place of quiet reflection.
Salem witches 2019
Elizabeth Montgomery’s Samantha statue from Bewitched