The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 are what historically make Salem "the witch city," and, as such, visitors have options for learning about the Trials and what happened here in 1692.
The Witch Dungeon Museum effectively brings 1692 to you through the dramatic reenactment of one of the trials, with text excerpted from the original court documents. When I saw the trial of Elizabeth Proctor, the actors did an incredible job. Even knowing the history, I was hooked by the drama and the social intricacies of the era.
The reenactment is followed by a tour of the dungeons below the church. These are recreated - but an original beam is on display. The dungeon is dank and spooky (rumor is that it may be haunted), and the size of the cells is something amazing to see. Prisoners today have it easy compared to those of the 17th century.
There is not a lot of magic to discover in the tragedies of the Salem Witch Trials, but the lessons are important and continue to be relevant today.
1 comment:
I came to Salem for the first time in 2001 looking for history related to the witch trials and fell in love with the city. Not that anything good could come out of the horrible trials, but it sort of molded the city into what it is today and gave it a mystical atmosphere that is my favorite place to visit each year.
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