The perfect way to spend a cool October day is in the historic and spooky town of Salem, Massachusetts! With hundreds of years of history, the town is best known for the witch trials that took place in the spring of 1692. Each autumn, the sleepy coastal town of Salem proudly embraces its history of witchcraft and spookiness with a seemingly endless halloween celebration and town-wide decorations that are simply out of this world!
History
The town of Salem, Massachusetts was founded in 1626 by Roger Conant and was first called Naumkeag (although also often called “Salem,” which is Hebrew for “peace”). A short three years later, the First Congregational Society was founded by Puritans in Salem. By 1637, Salem was established as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, became involved in the West Indies trade, and had begun to muster its own militia.
As the town grew in importance, many merchants and well-to-do townspeople constructed new and elaborate homes. Two of the most famous houses still standing in Salem were built in 1620-1642 and 1668 respectively: The Witch House and the House of Seven Gables.
The Witch House is a frequently visited (and completely mobbed in October) historic house built sometime between 1620 and 1642. Judge Jonathan Corwin, who presided over the infamous Salem Witch Trials while he lived in the house, is the reason for the name. Additionally, some of the preliminary questioning that took place as part of the trials took place within the house.
What is now known as the House of Seven Gables was built in 1668 by merchant John Turner and eventually owned by relatives of famed American novelist (and Salem born) Nathaniel Hawthorne. Known for classics such as The Scarlet Letter and Twice-Told Tales, Hawthorne was inspired by this house to write his novel The House of Seven Gables in 1850.
In 1692, the famous “Witch Trials” occurred in Salem, which enshrined its name in history forever. In January 1692, two young girls began having (seemingly) uncontrollable and violent fits. This was followed by other young girls in the village with similar “symptoms,” which led to the claim of being possessed by the devil. Next, the girls began to accuse local women of being witches (who had “bewitched” them), including a slave named Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborn.
The Puritan society of Salem (which was actually two communities at the time known as Salem Village and Salem Town) fell into hysteria from the accusations and immediately acted to root out the newfound evil presence. What followed was a series of trials in Salem, which eventually led to the hanging of 19 people on Gallows Hill over the next few months. By late 1692/early 1693, the hysteria had begun to fade.
Salem continued to play a prominent role in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, especially during the American Revolution. In fact, one of the first moments of resistance in the colony occurred in Salem on February 26, 1775. British General Gage, then military governor of the colony based out of Boston, sent a contingent of troops to Salem with the goal of capturing rebel munitions and guns stored there. After being alerted of the British expedition, the citizens of Salem hid the rebel stores. In one of the most bizarre yet obstinate moves of the pre-war period, the British troops under command of Colonel Leslie were unable to search the town due to a draw-bridge being intentionally lifted up. This, along with a growing number of patriot militia, led to a tense standoff. Open conflict was avoided thanks to the intervention of Reverend Thomas Barnard (a known loyalist), who was able to get Colonel Leslie to agree that if the draw bridge was lowered, his troops would only march 30 rods, about face, and leave the town. This was executed as agreed upon and the British left the town unmolested, which was likely a smart decision as colonial militia began to swarm the town.
The 19th century brought a surge in maritime commerce to the coastal town of Salem and in 1819, the Salem Custom House was built to manage the collection of import taxes. It was in this Custom House that famed sailor Nathaniel Bowditch and author Nathaniel Hawthorne were once employed.
As Salem’s commercial footprint diminished by the start of the 20th century, the town began to attract visitors wanting to experience the spooky history of the town. Salem’s macabre allure became officially recognized in 1982 when the first “Haunted Happenings” festival took place and 11 years later (in 1993), the cult classic film Hocus Pocus was released.
Interesting Facts
- There are some well-known shots from the film Hocus Pocus that were taken in New England, including Salem. This included the outside/facade of Allison’s House and the town hall where the parents were at a Halloween party!
- In 2013, President Obama signed a law designating Salem as the birthplace of the US Army National Guard
- The Witch House is the only remaining structure in Salem associated with the famous 1692 witch trials
Our Visit & Recommendations
Visiting Salem in October has been on our bucket list for a long time, so we jumped at the opportunity to visit (actually, we have visited in both 2018 & 2019)! The large crowds can make parking and getting around very difficult, so I highly recommend arriving in Salem early or even plan to stay nearby overnight (many affordable parking options exist on the outskirts of the town). Luckily the town is completely walkable, so once you park you can relax and enjoy your day walking about (be sure to wear comfortable shoes). After parking and walking into Salem, we recommend first visiting the Salem Visitor’s Center (2 New Liberty St, Salem, MA 01970). Here you can grab a map of the town, check out historic items on display, explore the gift shop, and use the free public restrooms as needed.
The Haunted Happenings Festival that takes place every October in Salem is a party like no other! It now spans the entirety of October and includes family movie nights, live music, ghost tours, museums, shopping, crafts, street food, and everything in between.
Perhaps the best way to experience all of this Halloween fun is to wander the crowded streets lined with souvenir and food vendors, street performers (often dressed as Halloween characters), and the many museums and storefronts. We were amazed by the detailed and creative decorations all over the place (especially on private homes) and of course, the massive crowds. We meandered up and down the streets of Salem, checked out many of the shops, and admired the beautiful architecture on our way to the Witch House (also known as the Corwin House).
We were expecting long lines at many of the attractions such as the Witch House, but were surprised at the expected wait time. From our experience, seeing the outside of the Witch House was enough to conjure up a spooky feeling- there is so much to see in town and waiting in the long line did not seem worth the tour (but that is up to you!). There are also many museums (such as the Peabody Essex Museum and the Salem Witch Museum) that can be explored. Of course, with the overwhelming crowds that descend on the town each year, it is recommended to reserve tickets and make reservations at any museums and/or restaurants that you want to visit.
As we began our walk back through the town towards the waterfront, we stopped by the historic Burying Point Cemetery. Established in 1637, the Burying Point Cemetery is the oldest in Salem and is the final resting place for many prominent citizens of the town (including some of the judges from the witch trials). There is often a fairly long line to enter the cemetery, so it is up to you if you want to wait (of course, you can see into the cemetery as you walk by).
The Salem waterfront has been designated the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, designed to celebrate and remember the large role Salem played in colonial America’s maritime commerce and trade. This is one of the most beautiful spots in Salem and if the crowded streets of the town are starting to get to you, I recommend taking some time to explore this area. There are numerous historic homes, the towering Salem Custom House (which is open for free tours), and the replica ship Friendship of Salem.
After exploring the waterfront, we continued walking down Derby Street and visited the many fun shops that line the street. We decided to end our day in Salem with a tour of the famous House of Seven Gables (115 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970). Although there was also a decent line to tour the house, we felt that it was completely worth the wait!
The House of Seven Gables offers an awesome and fun tour of the quirky and historic home and also includes access to the surrounding gardens and other historic buildings that have been brought to the property over the years. One such building is a bright red home from 1750 that was where Nathaniel Hawthorne was born. We really enjoyed walking the grounds and taking in the sweeping views of the harbor. There is also a fantastic gift shop that you can explore prior to entering the house for your tour.
Legacy
If there is anywhere in the world to visit in October it is Salem, Massachusetts. The town has embraced its historic and distinctive past to offer visitors a welcoming and exciting Halloween experience that you and the family will remember forever. Be sure to give yourself time to walk the entire town, take in the sights, and visit the many museums for a perfect mix of history and ghoulish delight.
Oh- and be sure to capture those fun and precious moments along the way!
