Salem · Massachusetts
Salem History
Salem is more than a Halloween backdrop. Behind the witch shops is a real town where twenty people were put to death in 1692 — and where you can still stand on the ground it happened. These are the true stories, told by locals for visitors who want the history, not the gift-shop version.
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July 27, 2026
Salem Turns 400: The City's Quadricentennial and How to Celebrate in 2026
In 2026 Salem, Massachusetts marks its 400th anniversary — four centuries since its 1626 founding on the land of the Naumkeag people. Here's the city's 400-year story in brief, and the parades, festivals, and exhibits happening all year for Salem 400+.
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July 27, 2026
Where Were the Salem Witch Trials? Every Real 1692 Site You Can Still Visit
Most 'witch' attractions in Salem are museums and gift shops — not where 1692 actually happened. Here are the real Salem Witch Trials sites you can still stand on today, from the confirmed execution ledge to the only house left with direct ties to the trials.
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July 27, 2026
Were the Salem "Witches" Burned at the Stake? No — Here's What Really Happened
The single most common myth about the Salem Witch Trials is wrong: no one was burned at the stake. Here's how the accused actually died in 1692, why everyone pictures flames, and the real legal reason English colonists hanged witches instead of burning them.
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July 25, 2026
"More Weight": The Story of Giles Corey and the Salem Witch Trials
Giles Corey was the only person in American history crushed to death — pressed under stones during the 1692 Salem Witch Trials for refusing to stand trial. Here's the true story behind his defiant last words, and where to walk it in Salem today.
Walk it yourself
Reading the history is one thing — standing where it happened is another. Browse Salem's historical sites & markers, book a guided Salem tour, or explore the full directory of museums and landmarks.