Salem
Salem is at the epicenter of the events of 1692 because that’s where all the witch trials were held and the victims hanged. It’s also where all the tourists go. However, the witch hunt started in Salem Village (now known as Danvers) and spread throughout most of Essex county. Little remains of 17th century Salem Town besides a few First Period style homes.
Orientation
Salem is a popular tourist destination, so check out these websites for tours, attractions, restaurants, hotels, and shopping suggestions as well as event listings. Some of Salem’s historic sites and attractions are seasonal, so contact them beforehand. Spring and summer are great times to visit.
Destination Salem, 245 Derby Street. The office of tourism & cultural affairs.
Haunted Happenings, the official website for Halloween in Salem. This month-long celebration includes lots of events and people. Warning: If you don’t like waiting in lines with people in costumes, October may not be the best time for you to visit.
Start your adventure near the Essex Street pedestrian walkway by the parking garage:
National Park Service Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street. Salem Maritime park has downloadable self-guided walking tours and an “Architecture in Salem” guide so you can view some of the 17th century buildings still standing. Pick up a map and watch the movie Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence (38 minutes).
Salem Heritage Trail. The red (or yellow) line painted on the sidewalks connects some of Salem’s historically significant sites and neighborhoods, though swerves to include some tourists traps too.
Explore
Salem’s architectural beauty and maritime endeavors are on full display, alongside modern-day witch shops and tourist attractions, but much tangible evidence of the witch trials has disappeared.
Beadle Tavern site, 65 Essex Street. Location of some witch examinations.
Bridget Bishop House and Orchard site, 43 Church Street. Bridget Bishop was the first person hanged for witchcraft in 1692. Lyceum Hall, the brick building now standing at Bridget’s former homesite, was built in 1831 to host educational lectures and entertainment. The Hall is most famous for Alexander Graham Bell’s 1877 demonstration of his telephone, though it’s also where Charles W. Upham (1802-1875) lived when he became intrigued by Salem’s witch-hunt past and started writing about it. The building is now Turner’s Seafood restaurant.
Gov. Simon Bradstreet house site, 134 Essex Street. After his first wife—the poet Anne (Dudley) Bradstreet (c.1610-1672)—died, Gov. Bradstreet (1604-1697) married Anne (Downing) Gardner (1633-1713) and moved to her house on Essex Street. He served again as (acting) governor from 1689 to May 1692, before Sir William Phips arrived with the Royal Charter.
Broad Street Cemetery, 5 Broad Street. Established 1655. Burial place of witch trials Judge Jonathan Corwin (1640-1718) and his nephew, sheriff George Corwin (1666-1696).
Burying Point, 51 Charter Street. Also known as Charter Street Cemetery. Established 1637, earliest extant gravestone 1673. Burial place of 1692 Judge John Hathorne (1641-1717); Rev. John Higginson Jr. (d. 1718); Judge Bartholomew Gedney (1640-1697); Elinor Hollingsworth (d. 1689), mother of accused Mary English; Samuel Shattuck (d. 1695), a child supposedly bewitched by Bridget Bishop; Giles Corey’s second wife Mary (1621-1684); Gov. Simon Bradstreet (1603-1697); and Nathaniel Mather (1669-1688), younger brother of Rev. Cotton Mather. See Charter Street Cemetery Stone Database. The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is adjacent to the cemetery.
George Corwin house site, 148 Washington Street. The notorious sheriff’s house was replaced in 1784 by Joshua Ward’s home. In 2015, Lark Hotels turned the Ward home into a boutique hotel called The Merchant.
Court House site, Washington Street by Lynde Street. 1677-1718. See bronze tablet at Masonic Temple, 70 Washington Street. The original courthouse, located in the middle of today’s Washington Street, held the Court of Oyer and Terminer where accused witches were brought to trial in 1692. The building was torn down in 1760.
Philip English house site, 11 Essex Street. Built around 1685, this was the home of accused witches Philip English (1651-1736) and his wife Mary (Hollingsworth) English (c. 1652-c. 1696) who escaped from the Boston jail. The mansion was torn down in 1833.
Essex County Law Library, Essex County Superior Court, 56 Federal Street. Look for glass-topped pedestal display case, with copies of two witch trials documents, witch pins, and county seal.
First Church of Salem original meetinghouse site, 231 Essex Street. Rebecca Nurse (1621-1692) was a member of the Salem Town church, though she often attended the Salem Village church closer to her home. After being sentenced for witchcraft, she was excommunicated from this church in 1692. The current brick building was built in 1826 by members of Salem’s First Church, with the second floor used for church services while the first floor offered retail space, including Daniel Low’s jewelry store. In 1892, Daniel Low & Co. started the first mail order catalog and sold silver Salem Witch souvenir spoons. The company took over the building when the congregation moved to 316 Essex Street. It’s now Rockafellas restaurant.
Friends Cemetery (a.k.a. Quaker Cemetery), 396 1/2 Essex Street. First burials circa 1680. Many of the graves are unmarked.
Gedney house, 21 High Street. Built in 1665 for shipwright Eleazer Gedney (1642-1683), the earliest section of this house shows the typical 17th century floor plan with two main rooms on each side of the central chimney. Although Eleazer died before the Salem witch trials, his brother Bartholomew (1640-1698) was a magistrate for the Court of Oyer & Terminer and no doubt frequented the house. Eleazer’s first wife Elizabeth was sister to John Turner who built the House of the Seven Gables. His second wife Mary (d. 1716) lived here in 1692.
John Hathorne house site, Lapin Park (Bewitched statue’s location), 114 Washington Street on corner with Essex Street. Judge John Hathorne (1641-1717) lived here during the witch trials. His mansion burned down in 1774.
House of the Seven Gables, 115 Derby Street. Built in 1668 by merchant John Turner (d. 1680) and made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name (1851), the Turner-Ingersoll mansion was restored in 1912 to show off its First Period architecture. Tourists come to see the historic house that captured Hawthorne’s literary imagination. Set in the mid-19th century, the novel dwells on ancestral guilt related to the witchcraft trials. Designated a National Historic Landmark District, the Gables property includes the Retire-Beckett House (c. 1655), the Hooper-Hathaway House (c. 1682), and the birthplace of Nathaniel Hawthorne (c. 1750). In 2018, the House of the Seven Gables celebrates its 350th anniversary.
Howard Street Cemetery, 29 Howard Street. First burial 1801. Located next to the 1813 jail. If your tour guide talks about the ghost of Giles Corey, you’re on the wrong tour. This was private property in 1692.
Rev. John Higginson house site, near 19-1/2 Washington Square North. Higginson was the senior minister of Salem Town in 1692. His daughter Ann (Higginson) Dolliver (c. 1650-1739) was accused as a witch and confessed.
Thomas Maule house site, 331 Essex Street. An outspoken Quaker who had a few run-ins with the law, Thomas Maule (1645-1724) was imprisoned for almost a year in 1695/6 for his “slanderous” book, Truth Held Forth, his autobiography and witch-hunt diatribe. The jury found him not guilty. His wife Naomi testified against Bridget Bishop in 1692.
William Murray house, 39 Essex Street. Originally built 1688. William Murray served as a court clerk at some of the Salem witch trials. He also accused his neighbor Alice Parker.
Alice (–) Parker house site, between 54 and 58 Derby Street. Executed witch Alice Parker (d. 1692) rented small house from Philip English.
Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex Street. An international art, architectural, and cultural museum, the Peabody Essex started as the East India Marine Society in 1799. Through mergers of several societies, the museum grew from seafaring treasures to include local history, nature, and science collections. In 2024, PEM opened an “ongoing” exhibit, The Salem Witch Trials 1692. The Phillips Library Reading Room is now part of the new Collection Center in Rowley. From 1980 to 2023, PEM’s Library was the temporary repository of 527 court documents from the Salem witch trials. The records have been returned to the Judicial Archives of the Massachusetts State Archives in Boston.
Pioneer Village, Forest River Park, West Avenue extension. Owned by the city of Salem. To commemorate the 300-year anniversary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, in 1930 Salem recreated a 17th century village depicting dugouts, wigwams, thatched-roof cottages, and the Governor’s Faire House. As America’s first living history museum, Pioneer Village features costume guided tours and special events, such as craft or pioneer life demonstrations and storytelling. It’s especially spooky at night, when you may think the devil is at the door. Check for special events.
Proctor’s Ledge Memorial, 7 Pope Street. In the early 1700s, John Proctor’s son Thorndike purchased this property, which is why it’s called Proctor’s Ledge. In early 2016, the Gallows Hill Project team confirmed Proctor’s Ledge was the execution site of the witch trial victims (and not the pinnacle at Gallows Hill). In 2017, a memorial for the 18 hanging victims was dedicated. No graves or bodies were discovered, which suggests that the families of the executed buried their dead quietly, in unmarked graves, just like the Nurse, Jacobs, and Proctor families’ traditions claimed.
Ann Pudeator house site, 35 Washington Square North. Second wife and widow of Jacob Pudeator (c. 1645-1682), executed witch Ann (–) (Greenslit) Pudeator (c. 1625-1692) was a midwife and nurse.
Quaker Meeting House, Federal Garden area, Essex Block. The first Friends’ meeting house was built in 1688 on land owned by Thomas Maule. In 1865, the Essex Institute recreated the meeting house in the First Period style using timber framing thought to be original to the first Quaker church. Maule attended the Quaker services as did accuser Bathshua Pope. (It’s mistakenly called the First Church of Salem in 19th- and early-20th century photos and postcards.) Located at the Peabody Essex Museum gardens; not open to the public.
Salem Gaol site, 2-4 Federal Street. Some of the witch-hunt victims were incarcerated in the wooden Salem jail built in 1684. Most likely, Giles Corey (c. 1617-1692) was pressed to death on the grounds of the jail. In 1763, the jail was replaced by a larger one at the same property. (In 1813, the prisoners were moved into the new stone prison around the corner, on what is now 50 St. Peter Street.) In the 19th century, the 1763 jail was renovated into a family home, and in 1935, opened as the second witch city attraction, the Old Witch Jail and Dungeon. The building was torn down in 1956. There’s a plaque on the current brick building.
Salem Witch Trials Memorial, 51 Charter Street. After the witch trial hangings, family and friends secretly buried the bodies, leaving no signs to mark their final resting places. For the 300th anniversary of the Salem witch trials in 1992, a special memorial was dedicated next to Old Burying Point so we can honor and remember these 20 victims.
John Ward house (1684), Federal Garden area, Essex Block. This First Period home sat across from the old witch gaol until it was moved in 1910. (Its prior location and age put it on this list; no known witch hunt connections.) Tours sometimes available with Peabody Essex Museum ticket.
Witch House, 310 ½ Essex Street, Salem. Owned by the city of Salem. Billed as the only building in Salem with direct ties to the witch trials, this was Judge Jonathan Corwin’s house in 1692. Although tradition says some of the preliminary examinations were held here, it’s unlikely it was used for anything more than private meetings. The house is decorated for a well-to-do 17th century family, though no items are related to the Corwins. However, a shadowbox hanging on the parlor wall contains John Proctor’s two-tined fork with bone handle. You’ll also find a witch bottle used to ward off evil spirits (and usually filled with urine, fingernails, hair, pins, and nails) and a poppet. The Corwin house is open for tours and holds special events.
Museums
Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex Street. PEM owns the largest collection of items connected to participants of the Salem witch trials. PEM owns the 1679 valuables chest made to commemorate the marriage of Joseph and Bathshua (Folger) Pope. During the trials, Bathshua was an afflicted accuser naming Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey while her husband Joseph also spoke out against John Proctor. All three victims were hanged. The 1680 cupboard was made for Benjamin Putnam (1664-1715), who signed the petition in support of Rebecca Nurse. Accused witch Mary (Hollingsworth) English (c. 1652-c. 1696) and her husband Philip escaped the Boston jail and lived in New York until the furor died down. PEM owns Mary’s childhood sampler and her chair. Samuel Sewall (1652-1730), the only judge who publicly apologized for his part in the witch trials, is shown in a portrait by painter John Smibert. The Salem Witch Trials 1692 exhibit opened on July 6, 2024 and is “ongoing.”
Attractions & Events
Be aware that some attractions need serious refurbishing and their narratives need updating to include new research and to remove historical inaccuracies. See also events calendar.
Cry Innocent: The People Versus Bridget Bishop by History Alive Inc., Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Street. Think you can’t get caught up in the drama of 1692? This interactive play based on Bridget Bishop’s testimony invites you to ask questions and decide whether her case should be brought to trial based on the evidence you’ve heard. July–Nov.
The Making of a Witch: Find out how wealthy Peter English became accused. A play in one act. Learn the truth about Peter English, founder of the St. Peter’s Church in Salem in 1733, who was accused of witchcraft in 1692 and narrowly escaped with his life. Saturdays, Sept.–Nov.
Salem Tour Association, a collective of tour companies based in and operated out of Salem, Massachusetts, who have agreed to a code of conduct and higher than average standards.
Book with local tour guides, not national or regional ones. Be aware that some tour guides are actors who follow a script and don’t know Salem’s history otherwise.
Salem Trolley: Get to know the city, its history and landmarks with a one-hour narrated ride.
Annual Salem Calendar
January: Salem Comedy & Spirits Festival
February: Salem’s So Sweet chocolate & ice sculptures festival
March: Salem Restaurant Week; Salem Film Fest; Salem’s Women’s History Day
April/May: Salem Ancestry Days
May: Mass Poetry Festival
June: Salem Arts Festival; North Shore Pride Weekend
July: Salem Celebrates the Fourth
August: Salem Heritage Days; Salem Maritime Festival; Antique & Classic Boat Festival
September: Salem Spice Festival; Salem Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival; Salem Lit Fest; Trails & Sails
October: Salem Haunted Happenings (Oct. 1-31)
November/December: Salem holiday events
December: Christmas in Salem homes tour
Research
Historic Salem Inc.’s website features a database of 500+ house histories as part of historic plaque project.
Preserving Salem for information on Salem’s local historic districts, highlights Salem’s historic assets, and features examples of outstanding public and private initiatives to protect, preserve and promote the city’s irreplaceable historic resources
Salem Public Library, 370 Essex Street. Check out the Salem History room on the third floor for books, vertical files, directories, and newspapers. Also the SalemWiki: Salem Links & Lore and Digital Heritage collection.
Online Books & Records
Annals of Salem by Joseph B. Felt Vol. 1 (1845) and Vol. 2 (1849)
CemeteryFind: Greenlawn Cemetery
Charter Street Cemetery Stone Database
Historical sketch of Salem, 1626-1879 by Charles S. Osgood (1879)
History of Salem by Sidney Perley (1924-28) Vol. 1: 1626-1637, Vol. 2: 1638-1670, Vol. 3: 1671-1716; also look for his “Salem in 1700” articles in the Essex Antiquarian
Old Naumkeag: an historical sketch of the city of Salem, and the towns of Marblehead, Peabody, Beverly, Danvers, Wenham, Manchester, Topsfield, and Middleton by Charles Henry Webber and Winfield S. Nevins (1877)
Records of the Salem Commoners 1713-1739 by George Francis Dow (1903)
Town Records of Salem, Massachusetts published by the Essex Institute Vol. 1: 1634-1659, Vol. 2: 1659-1680, Vol. 3: 1680-1691
Blog Posts
Wicked Salem: Exploring Lingering Lore and Legends
Tituba, Indian Servant of Mr. Samuel Parris
Capitalizing on seasonal interest in the Salem witch trials
Misconceptions about the 1692 Salem witch hunt
Where did accused witch Bridget Bishop live?
Why go to Rowley? Salem’s PEM research library of course
A tribute to the Essex Institute—and Mary English’s chair
Looking at Salem from the outside in with J.W. Ocker
Why not ergot and the Salem witch trials?
Switching sides: Tony Fels takes on the classic Salem witch hunt books
Teaching the everyday & the extraordinary: Salem in 1692
Bernard Rosenthal: Lessons to learn from the Salem witch hunt
Which Bishop? The one that got away
Witches and witchcraft with Tom the tour guide
Follow
Emerson W. Baker on Twitter @EmersonWBaker: history professor at Salem State University, author of A Storm of Witchcraft and The Devil of Great Island.
Donna Seger on Streets of Salem blog: history professor at Salem State University. Writes about “culture, history, and the material environment, from the perspectives of academia, Salem and beyond.”
Ty Hapworth as hellosalem on Instagram. Great photos of Salem people, places, events.