Happy, Happy Halloween!~ The day of frightful delights is finally here! And in the spirit of ghosts and goblins and things macabre, I thought I would take you on a little tour, if that’s fine with you!
How about the Witch House in Salem, Mass.? It’s not too spooky, but the things said and done within its walls may give you the shivers. It is the last remaining structure that was around during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and 1693– and also home to one of the infamous trials’ judges— Judge Jonathan Corwin. Within its very walls talk of witch craft and the devil were discussed, and most likely warrants for arrest– leading to the death of 19 innocent people— were signed. Come in and take a peek, if you dare….
Once you step inside the Witch House, you are immersed in the history of the 17th century— and the structure has been lovingly and diligently restored to reflect the time in which Judge Corwin and his wife and children would have lived within the house.
And while it may seem modest to modern eyes, it was really quite the lavish dwelling for its time— the Corwins were well-to-do and pillars of the Salem community.
The witch house was one of my favorite locations to tour because it was so open for people to roam and look at, to photograph and to ask questions about. One of the house guides sat quietly in the corner knitting, happy to answer any questions one may have— a pretty good gig if you ask me!
It’s also so easy to imagine women gathering around the hearth, cooking supper and tending to the fire, and also whispering about the strange things happening in town. Were they fearful? Were they suspicious? Were they accusers or even the accused?
Aside from its dark association with the witch trials, the Witch House, is such an interesting place, a window into a way of life long past, yet familiar. Children’s trundle beds slip out from beneath their parent’s bed, a cradle stand in the corner; ingredients for the day’s meal sit at the ready beside the hearth, chores are to be done, letters to be written.
If you find yourself in Salem, I highly recommend a visit. There is also a little gift shop beside the house, and I came away with a little black cat for my girl at home, and this book about the Witch Trials, which is supposed to be an interesting read.
And of course— wishing you a merry Halloween! Enjoy the day– and of course, the night!~!~
~H
Sleightholm Folk Art 
Happy Halloween, Heather. I want very much to return to Salem – when we were there many years ago, we did not get to go everywhere that we wanted. This was one place I wanted to visit. Thanks for sharing the photos and telling us a bit more about the House!
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Happy Halloween!! The Witch House is a really interesting place to go to- thanks for the virtual trip on this spooky day. (although it's more wet then spooky here in upstate New York today!)
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Oh, thank you, such lovely photo's. I have a very good friend who lives in Salem 🙂 Just loved seeing inside this house. Have a very enjoyable All HALLOWS EVE 🙂 xxx
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What a great tour of such a spooky and frightful place! It is disturbing that 19 innocent women were put to death because of someone else's paranoia and suspicion! So heartless and scary. I do love the interiors of colonial homes with all of the beautiful wood and large brick fireplaces. They are a testimony that beautiful need not be an excess of stuff beyond what is needed to accomplish the everyday needs. Happy Halloween! Trick or Treat!
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Oh, so very cool! I long to visit Salem. Thank you so much for sharing these! Happy All Hallows Eve, friend!
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You had such a wonderful trip! We have never worked in time to visit Salem.
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Thank you for sharing this, Heather! It's been way too long since I've been to Salem but I don't remember this house. There was a witch museum that I went through that was very disturbing. I'll definitely want to go to the Witch House next time I'm there.Happy Halloween!!!blessings~*~
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Thank you for this lovely little tour! I can't wait to visit, I have to say I love the exterior of this house so much! So spooky and dark!
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Can't believe I missed this post! We had such a great time in Salem. Oh man, I'm looking for a good autumn day in Salem right about now. So glad I got to take you to this house. And so happy I got to spend time with you and Emily all over New England!
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I do like this house, but why oh why do so many period interiors have something \”wrong\” with them? In one photo we see candlesticks with red candles on the table. Whether made of beeswax, tallow, or bayberries, 17th century New England candles were not RED.
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Wanted to add: a lot of people go to Salem, believing it to be the location of the infamous 17th century witch hysteria, but that isn't entirely true. The original Salem Village – where most of this took place – changed its name in the 1750's to \”Danvers\”. Modern Salem is on the outskirts of what was the original Salem.
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