Description

Since its opening in 1972 in a renovated historic church building, the Salem Witch Museum has served as a distinctive local landmark and major contributor to the city’s cultural and historic landscape. The mission of this organization is to be the voice to the innocent victims of witch-hunts, from 1692 to the present day. By interpreting this history through audiovisual displays, guided tours, educational resources, and virtual programming, we strive to bring awareness to the endurance of scapegoating and injustice.

The Salem Witch Museum examines one of the most enduring and emotional events in American History, the Salem witch trials of 1692. The museum consists of two presentations. The first provides an immersive look into the events of 1692. Visitors experience the drama of that dark time though thirteen life-size stage sets, figures, lighting and narration as they are witness to the web of lies and intrigue of the Salem witch-hunt.

Our second exhibit, Witches: Evolving Perceptions, explores the meaning behind the word witch and evolution of the image of the witch over time. This presentation focuses on the European witch trials and the background leading to the Salem witch trials. In addition, this presentation discusses the emergence of the stereotypical witch and the phenomenon of witch-hunting.

The museum is open year-round, every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and in January for several weeks as we close to paint and prepare the museum for the upcoming season. Presentations are offered every half-hour from 10:00AM to 4:30PM, with extended hours in July, August, and October.