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Salem, Massachusetts Guide |
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Think of Salem, think of witches. Although the fame of the Salem witch trials has spread around the world, Salem's real renown comes from its ships, mariners and authors. |
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Founded in 1626, by the late 1700s Salem MA had grown and prospered. Its ships sailed the world, many dealing in trade from the Orient, especially spices, silks, and other luxury goods. The wealth of the Indies brought great prosperity to the town, which enabled its citizens to build and decorate fine mansions and impressive museums. Salem's history is really that of its rich maritime commerce, and there are lots of things to see in this regard. As for witches, there never were any in Salem! The witch-hunt took place in only one year (1692), and the score of people executed met that fate because they would not admit to being witches. Many of the less courageous "admitted" being witches so that they wouldn't be executed. The whole witch-calling affair fizzled out when people in power began to be accused. Salem would like to forget it all, no doubt, but the rest of the world enjoys remembering this bizarre episode. A town monument commemorates the suffering and martyrdom of the innocents who were falsely accused and murdered through superstition and abuse of power. The historic heart of Salem around Salem Common is pretty, with a spacious town common and many of its old houses (dating back to the 1600s) and 19th-century mansions intact and in good repair. Several fine mansions have become inns, and Salem has a nice historic hotel. Part of the historic center has been restored and closed to traffic as the fine pedestrians-only Essex Street Mall (map). The Peabody Essex Museum and the Custom House (Salem Maritime National Historic Site) have brilliant displays of Salem's (and America's) maritime history. Surprisingly, the witch business is thriving. In this city that had no real witches there are kitschy "dark-arts" paraphernalia shops, and would-be witches, warlocks and hangers-on fill the hotels, inns and pensions every Hallowe'en. You can travel to Salem from Boston by fast ferryboat, Commuter Rail train or bus, or car, in 30 to 45 minutes. More... |
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The Friendship, a square-rigged clipper ship that brought the wealth of the world to Salem, creating America's first millionaires.
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