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Brief Guide To Salem
History and mystery await you in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem will forever be remembered for the witch trials of 1691-92. During that winter, a West Indian slave called Tituba, began telling strange tales and practicing magic with young girls from the village. Soon, several of the girls began acting strangely, uttering strange sounds and weeping. A local doctor claimed the behavior was caused by "the spell of the evil hand."
After repeated pressures, the girls began to point the finger of blame at their supposed tormentors. Others joined in accusing residents of Salem Village of practicing witchcraft. Now known as the Hysteria, by the time it had run its course, twenty people had been executed. The village would never be the same again.
There are various theories about why the girls accused others of witchcraft, although the full truth remains a mystery. One theory says the girls had eaten bread contaminated with a hallucinogenic fungus. The town did survive those tumultuous times and now capitalizes on their unusual past.
Hawthorne Hotel
One of the Historic Hotels of America, the Hawthorne is an elegant Federalist-style, full-service hotel. The Hotel was built in the 1920's by the citizens of Salem through a public subscription drive to meet the needs as Salem's guests and visitors. It is named after famed Salem author, Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is perhaps the finest hotel in all of Salem. This is where the more affluent visitors to Salem usually wish to spend their nights.
Peabody Essex Museum
Explore 200 years of extraordinary art, architecture and culture from New England and the world! Described by The New York Times as "a cross-cultural marvel," the museum's preeminent collections contain over 1,000,000 objects to excite your curiosity and broaden your horizons. View the finest maritime art in the United States, art and cultures of North America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands, and three centuries of American life in historic period houses. The Phillips Library houses the original court documents of the Salem Witch Trials. By night, this museum acts as the Camarilla Elysium, even during the Halloween festivities that occur here, when many of the vampires masquerade themselves as humans amongst the tourists.
Pickering Wharf
Salem's gateway to seafaring activities. This exciting marketplace is the past recreated: a harborside village of shops with elegant gifts from around the world, boutiques featuring the latest trends in fashion, and three waterfront and restaurants. Probably the finest shopping in Salem can be found here, along with various occult/witch shops that cater to both tourists and true occultists alike.
House of Seven Gables
The mansion made famous by Hawthorne's novel. With its seaside garden, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the mansion is quite a sight indeed. Across the street boasts the home of three of Hawthorne's descendants, all known witches: Sara Hawthorne and her two children, Patrick and Julia.
The Old Burying Point
Theoldest burying ground in the city of Salem. Here is buried Justice John Hathorne, an ancestor of Nathaniel Hawthorne and one of the judges in the Witchcraft Court. Also buried here are other Hawthornes, including Julian Hawthorne. It is said this graveyard is haunted.
Witch Museum
An imposing stone Romanesque building housing the famous Salem Witch Museum. The horrifying events of the 1692 witch trials are depicted in the museum's thoroughly researched and powerful presentation. Visitors are offered a complete look at one of the most important, emotional, and tragic events in American history. Many of the employees here are modern day practitioners of witchcraft.
Witch Dungeon Museum
Acclaimed presentation of a witch trial adapted from the 1692 historical manuscripts by professional actors - a chilling performance! Dungeon tour recreates the atmosphere and conditions of the original site. It is said that there are lower levels of the dungeons, not viewable to the public. These small, cramped spaces are supposedly used for known enemies of the Sabbat. Vampires beware.
Witch House
Only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties to the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Tour blends information on 17th-century architecture, furnishings and lifestyle. It is said that the man who had lived here was a judge during the Witchcraft Hysteria. Rumors state that his ghost is bound to the house and will forever live trapped there, chained to exist always between this world and the next.
Salem Village
Salem Village, one of Americas oldest living history museums, was established in 1930 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Salems earliest settlement, Naumkeag. This recreated 17th-century fishing village predates Williamsburg And Plymoth, and depicts early settlement life as it would have been when Salem was the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Every Halloween, Salem's businesses open their doors and celebrate with festivals, parties, parades and tours. These events are referred to as "Haunted Happenings" and last throughout the month of October. Also, don't miss every Saturday's "Psychic Fair" where the city's fortunetellers and ESP practitioners come to show off their skills and wares. But beware, there are real Haunted Happenings going on, especially at this time of the year, so it is advised that you never tread too far from others.
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