Notes & Notions from the Salem Witch Museum

Saturday, Dec. 31st:  10am – 3pm

Sunday, Jan. 1st:  CLOSED

Monday, Jan. 2nd:  10am – 5pm

Tuesday, Jan. 3rd – Friday, Jan. 6th:  CLOSED for renovations

Saturday, Jan. 7th and Sunday, Jan. 8th:  10am – 5pm

Monday, Jan. 9th – Thursday, Jan. 12th: CLOSED for renovations

Reopen regular hours, Friday, Jan. 13th:  10am to 5pm

For more information call  (978) 744-1692

Wishing you a happy, healthy new year!

Saturday, December 24^th :  10am to 3pm

Sunday, December 25^th :  CLOSED

Saturday, December 31^st :  10am to 3pm

Sunday, January 1^st :  CLOSED

Enjoy a 20% discount in our museum store December 1-24 with coupon.  Choose from educational materials on Salem’s history and modern-day witchcraft to attractive apparel and just-for-fun items!  Admission to the museum presentation is not necessary to visit our store.  For more information feel free to call the Salem Witch Museum at 978-744-1692.

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Pairpoint Witch Balls

Dating back to the 18^th Century, hollow glass balls have been hung to ward off witch’s spells and evil spirits.  Legend has it that the evil spirit is attracted to these colorful balls, pulled inside, and trapped within the glass web protecting the home from harm.  It is told on Cape Cod that fishermen have used these mesmerizing balls in their nets to ward off evil spirits on the high seas.  Each Pairpoint Witch Ball is individually made and colored.

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*Happy Holidays*

The City of Salem is encouraging participants in Salem’s Halloween night festivities to be safe and considerate during their celebration of all things haunted, spooky and bewitching.

Halloween Night Events

4:00—10:00 PM Radio 92.9 Concert Stage, Washington Street at Federal Street
4:00—9:45 PM Shock Top Beer Garden, Federal Street at Washington Street 21+
7:00-10:00 PM Concert Stages around town. Dance in the streets, parking lots and Salem
Common as DJs spin and bands play on Halloween night. Stages will
be at Salem Common, Hawthorne Boulevard, Museum Place Fountain,
Derby Street, and Front Street.
10:00 PM Halloween Finale Fireworks. Celebrate the end of another fantastic Salem
Haunted Happenings with fireworks over the North River. Best viewed
from Bridge Street and the MBTA Commuter Rail Station.
Last Trains
11:05 PM Final Train departs to North Station, Boston
11:11 PM Final Train departs to Rockport
11:25 PM Final Train departs to Newburyport
Be Smart, Be Safe, Have Fun

To make the most of the public Salem Halloween experience, people are encouraged to
arrive no later than 8:30 PM and should plan to depart at 10:00 PM.

Do not bring any weapons—fake or real—as they will be confiscated;
Alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Triple Fines are in effect during Halloween weekend. This means citations for illegal behavior,
including public drinking, vandalism, and littering, could have fines up to $300.
Salem is a residential city—please be considerate of private property and residents.
The party ends with the fireworks at 10:00 PM. Please plan to depart at this time, as police
and public works departments will be clearing all streets and sidewalks.

For complete information on Salem Haunted Happenings and Halloween night, visit HauntedHappenings.org and
Salem.com.

The reason so many people come to Salem in October is the festive atmosphere created by…so many people. It’s part of the excitement, chatting with fellow revelers and soaking up the atmosphere.   A few people who aren’t in the right frame of mind might grumble about the lines, crowds and traffic.  Prepare yourself with information, and embrace it all as part of the fun.

Tips for an enjoyable visit to Salem in October

1.  Check out Destination Salem’s online visitors’ brochure to help plan your trip.  You’ll find a helpful walking map of the downtown and waterfront area listing major attractions, shopping, restaurants and activities.  It also lists parking options and road closures (for parades) where applicable.  You can pick up the print version of the Destination Salem Guide & Map once you’re here at the Salem Witch Museum, at the National Park Visitor Center, or many other places throughout the city.

2.  Arrive as early as possible.  The Salem Witch Museum opens every day at 10:00am.  The earlier you arrive to purchase tickets, the more likely your preferred tour time will be available.

3.  Be flexible.  It is possible – and especially as we near Halloween very likely – for certain presentation times to be sold out.  Be prepared to opt for a different tour time.  Our presentations begin promptly at  :00 and :30 of each hour.  Presentations last approximately one hour.

4.  Anticipate lines or wait-times just about everywhere in downtown Salem the nearer we get to Halloween.  And, if there isn’t a line or wait, just be pleasantly surprised!

5.  Expect there to be some traffic the closer we get to Halloween.  Directions can be downloaded here, and it’s always possible to map out alternate routes into Salem, ie. Route 1A, Route 107 , Route 127.

Salem Witch Museum Hours for October, 2011

Day	Date	Open	Close
Sat	1-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Sun	2-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Mon	3-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Tue	4-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Wed	5-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Thu	6-Oct	10:00am	8:00pm
Fri	7-Oct	10:00am	10:00pm
Sat	8-Oct	10:00am	10:00pm
Sun	9-Oct	10:00am	8:00pm
Mon	10-Oct	10:00am	7:00pm
Tue	11-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Wed	12-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Thu	13-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Fri	14-Oct	10:00am	10:00pm
Sat	15-Oct	10:00am	10:00pm
Sun	16-Oct	10:00am	7:00pm
Mon	17-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Tue	18-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Wed	19-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Thu	20-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Fri	21-Oct	10:00am	10:00pm
Sat	22-Oct	10:00am	10:00pm
Sun	23-Oct	10:00am	7:00pm
Mon	24-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Tue	25-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Wed	26-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Thu	27-Oct	10:00am	5:00pm
Fri	28-Oct	10:00am	12:00am
Sat	29-Oct	10:00am	12:00am
Sun	30-Oct	10:00am	10:00pm
Mon	31-Oct	10:00am	12:00am

Due to the impending hurricane, and for the safety of our visitors and staff, the Salem Witch Museum will be closed.

Please tune in to TV Channels 4, 5, 7, Fox 25 or NECN, or radio station 1030 AMfor up to date storm coverage.

After you visit the Salem Witch Museum, bring your admission sticker to many local attractions for great discounts:

ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS (in alphabetical order)

Essex River Cruises, Essex, MA – “…interesting, informative, narrated cruises…. Discover the beauty and heritage of Essex, Massachusetts and the Great Marsh, as we cruise the pristine sheltered waters of the Essex River.”

The Schooner FAME – “Welcome aboard the FAME of Salem, a replica of the successful privateer from the War of 1812.”

The Witch House – “The Witch House, home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, is the only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties to the Witchcraft Trials of 1692.”

Witch City Segway – “Witch City Segway offers guided Segway tours of the famous (and infamous) sights in Salem.  It’s the coolest way to see our city; provides a fun, safe and informative ride to visitors of many ages. Never ridden a Segway before? We’ll give you a helmet, a Segway and training.  Our friendly and experienced tour guides will then help you navigate the streets of Salem on your tour.”

DINING AND REFRESHMENT (in alphabetical order)

Café Valverde Coffee Roasters – Cafe was founded in 2005 by Nelson & Jorge Valverde to contribute to the growth of the specialty coffee industry in their native country of Bolivia, developing long term relationships with farming communities and cooperatives and often paying higher “fairer than Fair Trade” prices for their coffees, based on the quality of the coffee beans. In 2009 coffee importing & roasting business was expanded by opening a cafe so they could share freshly roasted organic coffees with local customers

Great Escape Restaurant – The Great Escape Restaurant is housed in what, at one time, was America’s oldest active jail. The restaurant was designed with a jail theme featuring brick walls, the original two foot thick granite floor, a bar made out of recycled cell doors, and cell bars all around.

WALKING TOURS (in alphabetical order)

Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tours – “Salem Historical Tours is home to Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour: Salem’s first and finest ghostly stroll. Established in 1997, we are the oldest permanent tour company in Salem, Massachusetts. We offer a variety of tours that appeal to every visitor’s interests, including our new Spirits of Salem Pub Crawl TM.”

Salem Night Tour – “What do you get when you take Salem’s best Tour guides and you train them as Paranormal Investigators, you get the Salem Night Tour! the award winning 90 minute walking tour through The Witch City’s most famous Haunts. 15 Haunted Historical sites 15 accurate stories, Costumed, licensed tour guides and Paranormal investigators lead the tours…”

Salem Witch Walk –”Join true Salem Witches as you’re blessed in a magic circle, visit a graveyard, and learn about spells, poppets, love potions, herbal charms, and even curses!”

Spellbound Tours – “Owned and operated by Mollie Stewart, who created Absolutely Fabulous! Tours in New Orleans. She has conducted Voodoo, Cemetery, Ghost & Vampire tours in New Orleans for over four years. Now she is offering the most unique tours in Salem! Our New Orleans tours have been featured in national publications including Arthur Frommer’s Travel Guide. Our tours are rated ‘Five Stars’!”

WITCH SHOPS (in alphabetical order)

Crow Haven Corner – “Purveyors to Witches Worldwide – Welcome to Crow Haven Corner, Inc. The very first witch shop in Salem, Massachusetts. We opened our doors over 30 years ago, and to this day, fill our store with book, candles, herbs, home decor, and so much more.”

Hex – “Salem’s edgiest witch shop. Witchcraft. The very word evokes images of midnight rituals, whispered incantations by candlelight, and cauldrons bubbling with strange concoctions both magical and medicinal. For all those who have called out to the spirits in a graveyard during the dead of night, who have stood in a thunderstorm to command the winds, who have pricked a finger to set the spell with their own blood, who stand for justice and humanity, and whose very hearts beat with the fires of magic, HEX is for you.”

Omen – “Salem’s premiere, Witch shop, and workshop center. We offer phone readings, in-person readings, private events, classes and workshops, and, of course, a range of items for divination, psychic work, and magic! Don’t forget to visit us while you’re in Salem!”

Or, before you arrive in Salem, purchase the Salem Passport for package pricing on top attractions:

Discover Salem Passport

Explore the House of the Seven Gables, Peabody Essex Museum, and the Salem Witch Museum aboard the Salem Trolley (in season)

Everyone knows there is more to Salem than the witch trials of 1692.  A rich maritime history helped establish our town as an early hub of the New World.  We’re fotunate that we can experience a taste of that storied past in many ways including a sail aboard the Schooner Fame.

A replica of an 1812 wooden Chebacco schooner, Fame departs from Pickering Wharf Marina for cruises of historic Salem Sound at 2:00, 4:00 and 6:00 pm daily from Memorial Day through Halloween.  Aboard this beautiful vessel exploring the local harbor and beyond you’ll hear about her role in Salem’s fishing and privateering history.  It’s an informative and fun adventure for kids and grandparents, families and couples, landlubbers and salty dogs.  You can even volunteer to help hoist her stately sails.

Receive $3 off your Schooner Fame tour when you present your Salem Witch Museum sticker.  Refreshments and additional merchandise are available on board.

For more information:

Website -   Schooner Fame

Phone –  (978) 729-7600

Copyright reserved – Michael Rutstein

On the 319^th anniversary of the hanging of Bridget Bishop we approached learning more about her story in a few unique ways.  We spoke with Jenney Dale, the actor who portrays the first executed Salem witch trial victim in the History Alive! theatrical production of Cry Innocent.

We asked Ms. Dale what most captivated her about playing Bridget Bishop.  “She was stubborn.  I could identify with her outspoken nature, not wanting to go along with others’ definitions of how a person should act.”  In some ways we still experience that today, but we have it so much easier than they did in 1692.”  Being an outspoken woman certainly made her all the more suspect of being a witch, having endured years of town talk about her independent spirit.

Cry Innocent calls their audience to sit on the Puritan jury, hearing the reenacted historical testimonies from the pre-trial examinations, cross-examining the witnesses, and finally passing judgment themselves.  Ms. Dale admits that sometimes the verdict is surprising.  “It’s hard to tell which way they’ll go.  But, I really want people to see the events through the eyes of Puritans,” so they can understand why the proceedings went as they did.

For more information about Cry Innocent, please click here or call their box office at:  978-867-4767

by John Poole

As mentioned in my previous posting, my friend Alexandra and I spent the Sunday afternoon following the TTRAG Symposium 2011 touring downtown Salem. Like many visitors to Salem, our main objective was the Salem Witch Museum. But we also found opportunities to see a few more ancient homes, which, as you can imagine, Salem has no shortage of.

Now, for a little bit of history…..

The years leading up to 1692 saw much political disarray in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, as the colonists had overthrown their previous governor, and subsequently lost their charter with England. Salem itself no longer had the strong leadership of Roger Conant, who died about a decade earlier, and its populace was split between Salem Town and the more rural Salem Village (now present day Danvers). All of this, combined with several massacres of settlers by tribes from the north, created an atmosphere of great fear among the colonists that almost certainly helped to fuel the initial accusations of witchcraft in early 1692, and resulted in the infamous trials some months later.

The Salem Witch Museum, founded in 1972, is housed by a rather impressive building on Washington Square in downtown Salem. Constructed in 1845, this building originally served as the Second Church Unitarian of Salem. The museum is open daily and provides an elaborate, staged presentation describing the events, individuals, and chronology of the witchcraft trials.  This is followed by a docent-narrated lecture that attempts to explain the underlying causes of the hysteria that had inflicted the colonists, and draws parallels with other infamous “witch hunts” that had occurred in more recent history.

After our museum visit, we headed over to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial.  Dedicated by Elie Wiesel in August of 1992, the memorial consists of a peaceful patch of land enclosed by a large stone wall. Protruding from the interior side of the wall are twenty granite benches, each dedicated to one of the victims of the witch craft trials.

For an fascinating look at Salem with elegant photos, read John’s blogpost in its entirety here.

Posted on May 23, 2011