Salem, Massachusetts

August 3, 2021

Famously known for the Salem Witch Trials of February 1692, Salem MA is so much more. The first Militia Muster was organized by the Massachusetts Bay Colony Court; Home of author Nathanial Hawthorne – House of Seven Gables; First armed resistance in 1775; Home to the Peabody Essex Museum, the oldest continually operated museum in the country. All this and so much more. There is, of course, a great fascination with all things supernatural with the focus being on witches, spells, etc.

Our biggest takeaway from it all comes from the Salem Witches Museum itself. First, of course is a realistic presentation of the history of what actually happened and the reaction of the people, ending with a discussion on how “witch hunts” have impacted society throughout history and still happening today. The case is very convincing.

“Witch hunts” have been going on since the beginning of time and still happen every day, even now. How you might ask? “Witch hunts” were/are usually imposed on innocent people, based on fear or misunderstanding combined with a trigger (event) and the need for a scapegoat. I’m sure there are more than a few events that have happened in recent history that could be called a “witch hunt.” In conclusion, we were left with the thought that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

Pictures are not allowed inside the museum, so we encourage you to visit the links or better yet, if you can, visit Salem, MA. You are guaranteed to come away with a different point of view.