Coronavirus/Covid-19 Closure Updates

Here in Salem we are taking the Covid-19 outbreak seriously. Many businesses have released statements regarding disinfecting their facilities with a plan to stay open for the public until further notice. Others have chosen to close their doors in the wake of the outbreak. Below is the current list of closures & cancelations. 

As of now, the following businesses have closed or suspended their season open:

• The House of the Seven Gables is closed through March 27, 2020
• Witch House is closed through March 28
• Peabody Essex Museum is closed until further notice
• Maria Miles Visitor Center (North of Boston CVB) is closed through March 17
• Salem Athenaeum is closed through March 31
• New England Pirate Museum is opening for the season May 1
• Salem Witch Museum is closed through March 19
• Witch Dungeon Museum is opening for the season May 1
• Witch History Museum is opening for the season May 1

Confirmed festival & event cancellations are as follows:

• Daughters of Darkness 2020 
• All events through April 10th at Historic New England (Philips House)
• All remaining lectures at Hamilton Hall
• All events through the end of April at the Salem Athenaeum
• Certain events at Rockafellas
• Salem Award Celebration is postponed
• Salem Film Fest is postponed

On This Day in 1692...

Today, February 29th, marks the 328th anniversary of the start of the Salem Witch Trials. On February 29th, 1692 the first warrant was issued by the Salem courts for the examination of the slave Tituba. Tituba's testimony on the following day would help set into motion a series of events that would turn our coastal town upside down within the year.

On March 1st, 1692, Tituba would be questioned and would then confess to witchcraft. Not only did she confess, but she spoke in detail about meetings with other women in the town that were allegedly conspiring with her, condemning these women to the same fate but saving herself. Others would follow in Tituba's path after this, confessing to a crime they didn't commit and then accusing others, thus amplifying the hysteria.

The Final Salem Witchcraft Trial (It's not when you'd think!)

The infamous witchcraft trials of 1692 were harrowing to say the least. Innocent townspeople were tried and executed under a court system that was inherently flawed and erratic in its decisions. 'Spectral evidence' was what damned most all of the 1692 victims to their sentences; meaning the jury was making decisions based upon people's sensationalized outbursts and claims to have seen the accused's witchly spirit tormenting them. After the hysteria of the time passed, this court system was taken under review and abolished, taking the use of spectral evidence to its grave. With spectral evidence now inadmissible, it would be incredibly difficult for something like this to ever happen again. Nearly 200 years later, however, a case like this would go to trial again and it would mark its place in history as America's last witch trial.

In a childhood accident, Lucretia S. Brown of Ipswich had become disabled due to a spinal injury. She wouldn't find relief for this injury until she was in her 50's. Lucretia had discovered the Christian Scientist Church and became a disciple of Mary Baker Eddy. Lucretia believed wholeheartedly that Mary's teachings had saved and rehabilitated her. Unfortunately, in 1875 Lucretia suffered from an injury relapse. Confused and scared, she turned to Mary, who came to the conclusion that mystical foul play must be at work. Coincidentally, Mary had recently excommunicated Daniel Spofford from her church. She believed that Daniel had relapsed Lucretia in an effort to spite her.

Mary turned to her lawyer, who drew up court documents on behalf of Lucretia and in 1878 she would take to court the final witch trial. This consisted of a complaint against Daniel Spofford that he was a "mesmerist, and practices the art of mesmerism, and that by his power and influence he is capable of injuring the persons and property and social relations of others, and does by said means so injure them", according to the local Ipswich newspaper released at the time. The legal papers called upon the court to stop him from using his mental efforts to torture Mary's disciples.

On court day in Salem, Daniel found these claims so outrageous he didn't even show up to court. After the complaint was read, it was determined that the complaint had no legal standing because the court would be unable to control Daniel's mind. The case was promptly dismissed, laying to rest the final American witchcraft trial.

Sources:
https://historicipswich.org/2019/09/02/lucretia-brown-and-the-last-witchcraft-trial-in-america/
https://ipswich.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/ipswich-witchcraft-case-newspaper.jpg
https://timespelunking.wordpress.com/2012/11/03/americas-last-withcraft-trial/
http://thehistorybuff.org/on-this-day-in-history-may-14th/

In Salem, August is Practically Autumn

October in Salem is one of the most magical times of the year. The leaves change colors to
beautiful golden yellows and burnt oranges. The fall air gets the kind of crisp that bites your
nose in just the right way when you inhale. People flood onto the streets to enjoy the open air
markets, food trucks, and attractions. The smells of hot chocolate and apple cider donuts drift
down Essex street, wrapping you in the warm scent as you wander from store to store, collecting
all of the hidden treasures and trinkets the city has to offer. 

If you’re joining us for the fall season, you’ll be apart of the Witch City’s magic too. You’ll be apart
of the over 1 million people that come through Salem every October to get a glimpse into a world
where there’s a little bit of Halloween every day of the year. October in Salem turns into what feels
like a big party in the streets; however, when 1 million people all come to a city for a similar
experience, unfortunately things can get crowded and they sell out quickly. That’s why it’s
important to start planning early, and this is the time to do it.

Fortunately, you can buy tickets to a lot of the experiences online. Tickets to most walking and
trolley tours can be bought off of the shop or company’s website. You can even buy tickets to
museums online and cash in on bundle deals and early bird specials. You can also check our
events calendar for special classes and workshops that are being held by different stores in town
and secure your place now. Happy planning!

#hhmagazine #sendingsalem #salemma365 #halloweeninsalem #octoberinsalem #salem
#hauntedhappenings #fall #october #halloween #travelplanning #salemma

Coloring Contest 2019 HHMagazine

CONTEST RULES:

Please complete the coloring page and submit one page per child, per age bracket. 

One winner will be selected in each category. 

➢Ages: 2-6 

➢Ages: 7-11 

➢Ages: 12-16 

Please submit completed coloring sheet via Email or USPS to:

Haunted Happenings Magazine 

5 Dodge Street, PMB 305 

Beverly, MA 01915 

Email: Aimee@HauntedHappeningsSalem.com

➢Please include Name, Age, Address, Parents Email Address. 

➢Winners selected at random - all entries to be submitted by: August 1st. 

➢Winners will be published in this years 2019 Haunted Happenings Magazine &

will receive a small prize package based on age. 

Thank you all for participating in the summer 2019 coloring contest.

Keeping You Connected to Salem 365

Thank you all who have joined me on the first 31 days of the #salemma365 project.

If your still asking what this is all about ... well I have simply decided we all need Salem, MA in our lives daily.

Some of us are fortunate enough to live close by and can enjoy Salem's beauty year-round.  Some have the pleasure to visit a few times a year and many only once.  For some Salem is still a dream destination.

Social media is so great that it allows us to stay connected around the world at all times!

Yes, I know my page says Haunted Happenings Magazine and it's primary focus was just the magazine for October.  Times change and I love technology.  (not to worry, the magazine is still being printed each Oct.)  I have listened while many have asked for more!  So here goes... at least a post a day on Instagram / Facebook.  Depending what's going on or if I'm attending an event, you will get more.

That being said, don't forget to watch my stories!  Yes, the stories feature on both facebook & instagram will allow some behind the scenes into my personal life, work life and Salem!

I do have accounts on Twitter / Pinterest and Snapchat.  However, most of my loyal active followers are present on Instagram and Facebook.  I have enjoyed the relationships professionally and personally over social media.  I hope as this grows so will the relationships.

Please if you're not already following me or if your friends aren't ... click the share, like or follow button.  Send me a direct message and tell me where you're from and what you miss or want to see more of about Salem, MA.

I can't thank you all enough for being such great followers and friends! Thanks for joining me on this 365 journey.  Salem is so much more than Halloween in October!