Witch Trials and Dark Secrets of Salem

A Notorious Past

Did you know that Salem's name has a meaning that contradicts its reputation? The 17th-century settlers decided to name the town Salem, after Shalom, the Hebrew word for peace and harmony.

If only the residents of Salem knew what the future had in store for them. A small girl feeling sick would lead to some of early America’s darkest times. The girl’s fits, convulsions and babbling, incoherent sentences, would confuse and worry local doctors. This would have deadly consiquences. It was not until other young women started experiencing the same symptoms that the town council started to worry. The unanimous culprit of these symptoms… witchcraft.

The diagnosis spread fear and sparked a Puritan inquisition that filled a prison with innocent people, and shattered the lives of 25 people and their families. This small town with one of the most infamous reputations in the country has shifted from trying to hide its dark past to accepting and embracing it, and in the process becoming a top tourist destination for history buffs, seafood lovers, and those infatuated by the stories of witchcraft!

"What a fun way to deep dive into the nitty gritty of Salem's past- I had a blast!"

What Is The Witch Trials and Dark Secrets of Salem Tour About?

Salem is famous for the 1692 Witch Trials, but most history books are silent about the details of the years immediately after. Few know the what the rest of the community went through to first try and erase the dark stain on their past while still trying to survive life in a colonial settlement. Uncover rarely-told stories of how Salem handled the aftermath of its horrific deeds on this tell-all walking tour which highlights the infamous untold stories and dark secrets of Salem's tragic history and rebirth.

What You Will See On This Tour

Our walking tour takes you through 1.5 miles of Salem real estate, where you will visit different sites connected to Salem's haunted past, amongst them:

• Witch Dungeon Museum: Experience a historical retelling of the Salem Witch Trials, done using the actual transcripts and journals from the time.
• Witch House: Witness the only building still standing that has a direct relationship to the Salem Witch Trials, the house of Judge Jonathan Corwin.
• Salem Athenaeum: Named for the goddess of Wisdom, this organization has many prominent past members, but none better known than Nathaniel Hawthorne.
• Joshua Ward House: Infamous because of its foundation, this house was built atop the home of George Corwin, the nephew of witch trial judge Jonathan Corwin.
• And many more...

We will stop at each historic site and learn the thrilling history behind this enigmatic city. With a city full of so much history and so many secret stories beneath the surface, there is so much more than just witchcraft waiting to be uncovered. 

Our Dark Secrets of Salem tour takes you through all the unbelievable details of Salem's sordid past as your expert local guide leads you through iconic, can't-miss destinations and reveals the true history of the Witch City that will be as unforgettable as it is entertaining!

"History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul."

- John Dahlberg-Acton