Visit Salem Witch Trial Sites- Itinerary Part C

We were running ahead of schedule in the Part C Itinerary of our visit to the Salem Witch Trial sites, so we walked to the 4th Stop- Witch Dungeon Museum, 1 1/2 blocks away @ 16 Lynde St.  Reviews on this were mixed, so I was prepared & not disappointed.  It only has 2 artifacts (one on the front), so it’s more of an experience than a museum.  It is a modern Salem tourist spot that can be skipped if you’re in a time pinch or tight on a budget, but check out the highlights below before you decide & make the most of it if you go.  The building is architecturally beautiful, inside & out, an 1897 Stick-Style building & former church.  They do a live re-enactment of part of Sarah Good’s Trial with a couple of actresses & onlooking mannequin judges.  It’s followed by a tour of a replica Salem jail dungeon with mannequins in various scenes.  It is not a high budget affair, the mannequins are old, but what they have in atmosphere, the testimonies spoken by the earnest actresses on stage, & the 2nd Highlight (below) were enough.  Even with the aging dummies & meager scenes, I imagined what it was like for the real victims.  Standing in Salem, Massachusetts, I couldn’t help but feel their history & their stories in my bones, that day.  Salem can be touristy, but don’t get caught up in the distractions.  Make the most of it, stay in the moment.  Remember what happened, why you’re here, what they went through, and take the ambiance & nuggets of context from the sites that you can & honor them by learning their story. 

This location has 2 unique highlights:

•   A plaque on the front of the building ‘The Witch Gaol’ c 1935 is from the original 1692 jail location that was torn down in 1956 for Phone Company offices.  This sign is visible without admission & to me was neat to see & get a pic of from when the jail still existed, even if the sign’s only from the 1930s.  The location of the original “Witch Gaol” & the replacement sign is visited later in our day.   

• The 2nd Highlight is downstairs near their replica dungeon- a beam from the original Salem jail dungeon used for the victims in 1692.  The local Salem Witch Museum & Peabody Essex Museum have the other 2 remaining beams.  The Witch Dungeon museum is the cheapest option of the 3, though the other 2 are likely worthwhile in their own right.  For me, the beam makes the price of admission worthwhile.  It’s just a beam, if you’re not a History geek, you may not entirely understand.    

The Witch Dungeon museum online has some interesting educational activities & curriculum you can print out for your kids of all ages to drive the lessons of the Witch Trials home.  It includes history, biographies & activities related to the Witch Hysteria events that kids will enjoy.  They also have 4 pillories out front that our kids enjoyed being ‘locked’ in.  During busy season, they’re open 10-5 daily.  It is somewhat pricey at $9 adults, $8 seniors & kids 4-13 are $7, but, to me, worthwhile.     

www.witchdungeon.com/ec.html