Salem, Massachusetts is probably best known for its infamous witch trials. Tourists flock to the area, especially for Halloween. Most probably don't realize the gravity of what happened here, especially when they are greeted by the smiling face of this statue commemorating Elizabeth Montgomery in "Bewitched."
Further into town you can find the historic Pickman House; yes, that's yours truly bundled up for the winter. Built in 1664, it is adjacent to the Witch Memorial dedicated in 1992 on the 300th anniversary of the Salem witch trials and is also next to America's second oldest burying ground, aka Burying Point.
These stone benches commemorate the twenty people who lost their lives during the trials.
Unlike the others, Giles Corey was not hung. He was "pressed" to death by stones when he refused to testify against other "witches." Stones continued to be added to his body in an effort to get him to divulge information until he finally died after three days of this insane torture.
When I first saw these sentences inscribed in the stones on the ground, I thought that they had been stupidly covered up on the right side by the wall. Paleontologist and expert tour guide Bretton Rocks explained to me that these words were the final ones uttered by the supposed witches, just before they were hung. The cut-off sentences at right were uttered at the point of death, just as you would read them. Wow.
Steps away is Burying Point, Salem's oldest cemetery.
The sunset framed this area of mourning perfectly.
The Salem Witch Museum was closed, unfortunately. And that damn stroller in front; almost felt like I was at Disneyland.
Looks like I will need to return to explore the museum.
As I left town, I had to have Bretton take a shot of me with Samantha. Yes, even I can be a tourist.
See more Salem photos at my main website.
3 comments:
As much as I love(d) pop culture I'm sort of dismayed to see it overwriting real history. A Rocky statue in Philly, Samantha at Salem, and talk of Robocop being given a statue in Detroit. ...still, that's one darned good likeness of Elizabeth Montgomery.
...strollers.
I've always enjoyed Salem -- but have to say, when they put up the Eliz. Montgomery statue, I thought it was very misplaced among all the great historical things to see in that area.
I think the Elizabeth Montgomery likeness is only slightly better than the first 'Scary Lucy' statue in Celoron, New York.
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