Date Of Visit: October 1, 2017
Location: 310 1/2 Essex Street, Salem, MA (about 10 minutes north of Boston, MA)
Hours: Open March 15-November 15, daily 10am-5pm
Call for Winter Hours / Extended Hours in October
Cost:
Guided House Tour
Adult $10.25 Senior $ 8.25 Child (7-14) $ 6.25
Self-guided House Tour
Adult $8.25 Senior$6.25 Child (6-14) $4.25 Children Under 6 are free
Parking: there is street parking (75 cents for a maximum of 4 hours) if you get there early. Otherwise, there are several parking lots and garages that charge $20 for the entire day of parking. Generally, I park at the Museum Place Mall at Church St since it is closest to all of the attractions in Salem and within walking distance to the Witch House
Handicapped Accessible: No
Dog Friendly: No, although service dogs may be allowed
Website: The Witch House
Highlights: historical artifacts, knowledgeable staff, actual home of “with hunter” Judge Johnathan Corwin
Tips:
- The entrance is in the rear of the building (off North St)
“It’s October”, a passerby yelped to a disgruntled driver as he barely squeezed his sedan into the last available street parking spot.
Yup, it’s that time of the year again in Salem, Mass.
Although Salem has proven itself to be so much more than just an autumn destination, fall is still Salem’s biggest time of the year.
It’s unfortunate much of the draw to Salem is related t the witch hunt of 1692. However, it does provide a learning opportunity and it also gives us a chance to remember the past in the hopes it won’t happen again.
One of the best places to get a no frills education about the Salem Witch Trials is the Witch House on Essex St., just one mile away from the actual hanging spot of these accused witches.
The last standing building directly related to the Salem Witch Trials, the Witch House has a dark, storied history.
As I walked around the house I couldn’t help but think of the innocent people who had been tortured into confessing and the backdoor deals that were made to avoid being accused or convicted of being a witch. In this very room, John and Elizabeth’s (his wife) parlor or best room, people’s fates were sealed. In total, 24 people would either be hung (19 in total), 1 person was pressed to death and 4 people died in prison.
The home was bought in 1675 by Corwin, a local magistrate, and his wife Elizabeth (Gibbs). Elizabeth was a wealthy widow having been previously married to Robert Gibbs. They would have 10 children together. Six of their children would die before the age of 25. Only 2 children lived long enough to have families of their own.
The other room on the first floor showcases many of the tools and herbs used during that time. As you can see in some of the photos, each historical artifact has a sign or placard next to it with an explanation or story behind the piece being displayed.
The Witch House has six rooms (if you count the foyer areas on two floors. While not all of the items in the house are directly from that time, many of the items in the building closely mimic the items of that era.
These chairs, for instance, are very similar to the chairs and tables used that time. In fact, the 5 chairs at this table are symbolic of the 5 judges (out of 9) needed to convict someone of being a witch at that time.
On the table are copies of the pages of journals, diaries and court records of the inquisitions and court proceedings.
Judge Johnathan Corwin, who resided here, was said to have questioned the accused at times using extreme measures such as tying people’s arms behind their backs to a chair similar to this one. It forced more than one innocent person to confess.
The windows and furniture featured in the house are very well crafted.
In the first room of the first floor there is a sealed off area that shows the inside of the walls. The architecture of that day may be outdated but it still holds up to this day.
Up a short, narrow, windy staircase, the second floor has two bedrooms.
In one of the rooms sits a machine for sewing or knitting.
This doll, also known as a poppet, which was found in the wall of Bridget Bishop’s home, was said to have been a voodoo doll. The catch is that most people at that time left these types of dolls in their walls as a sign of good luck. Instead, In Bridget’s case, it was said to have been used to curse others. Cute little fella, isn’t he?
Dogs are not allowed in the Witch House (exceptions may be made for service dogs). But, I met Abita, a 3 year old Lab mix, on my way to the house. Abita was adopted from the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, MA. What a cutie.
The video below comes courtesy of samuelaschak. It gives a more detailed historical background of the building and the historical highlights of the Corwin family and Salem.
New England Nomad 
October 13th, 2017 at 2:43 am
The interiors are fascinating~
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October 13th, 2017 at 6:22 am
I agree. I love the architecture of that time!
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October 13th, 2017 at 3:28 am
I’d like to think that a good lawyer would have got them all off. The last trial for witchcraft in England was as amazingly recent as about 1949!
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October 13th, 2017 at 6:27 am
It is interesting you mention that. One of the accused, Rebecca Nurse, was found not guilty. Then, after a public outcry, the judges reconvened and found her guilty. There was a lot of pressure to vote for a conviction or at the least draw a confession out of them. It’s hard to believe these accusations continued into the 20th century.
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October 13th, 2017 at 9:19 am
I love Salem this time of year! I’m heading back there this weekend.
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October 13th, 2017 at 9:32 am
I love it there as well! Have fun! I’m in western MA this weekend. But, I’ll be there again next weekend.
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October 13th, 2017 at 10:03 am
Very interesting, and great photos of the interior, so cool to see. Thanks for sharing. I’d be interested to know what the vibe of the place was – I bet it’s haunted. Perfect post for Friday the 13th. 😉
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October 13th, 2017 at 10:33 am
It definitely did have a bad vibe. The energy was not good. Just thinking of all of the things that happened there was a sobering thought. Thank you, Jewels.
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October 13th, 2017 at 10:39 am
Yes, I would imagine it did. Such a sad story of what happened there. 😦 And it’s scary to think of what could still happen in the here and now today when society goes on a rampage on any particular issue. But lets not think about that… it’s Friday and it’s autumn! Have a great day! 🙂
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October 14th, 2017 at 4:41 pm
That is good advice! Have a wonderful weekend!
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October 13th, 2017 at 10:42 am
Good point! Have a very happy Friday!
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October 13th, 2017 at 10:45 am
We were just in Salem in end May. Did not visit, just in-transit to Rockport for lunch. The whole story of the trials does justify the words witch hunt!
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October 14th, 2017 at 1:09 am
I hope you make it back before Halloween so you can enjoy the atmosphere this time of the year. Yes, it is the epitome of a “witch hunt”, literally. Thank you Mel & Suan.
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October 13th, 2017 at 11:22 am
Very fascinating. The house itself from the outside looks spooky! Interesting history but very sad for those accused xx
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October 14th, 2017 at 1:07 am
Yes, it is a very interesting but tragic story. Thank you danniijane.
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October 14th, 2017 at 3:03 am
Great photos! This house looks very interesting!
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October 14th, 2017 at 4:43 pm
Thank you! Yes, it’s a very interesting place for sure!
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October 15th, 2017 at 1:46 pm
I’d love to visit the witch house, it looks fascinating and atmospheric.
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October 15th, 2017 at 5:49 pm
It was a very interesting house! I have always been interested in the history of the area and there was a lot of historical info and artifacts to keep you busy all day there.
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October 17th, 2017 at 8:14 am
Fascinating and disturbing to think of what went on for so long 😳 – thanks for this post, have added it to our list of places to visit one day!
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October 17th, 2017 at 9:32 am
Thank you, Barbara! It is a fascinating history with too much sadness and sorrow. I do hope you get to visit sometime!
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October 26th, 2017 at 11:42 am
I totally want to go! Thanks for posting about this in so much detail
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October 26th, 2017 at 9:14 pm
It’s an interesting place, especially since it is the last remaining building with ties to the Salem Witchcraft trials. There is so much information and details to take in there. Hopefully you’ll make it there one day.
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