Salem The Podcast

Just a few miles inland from modern Witch City sits Danvers, Massachusetts – or what once was Salem Village. Danvers can sometimes be overlooked within the scope of the Salem Witch Trials, but in reality, this is where it all began. Sarah and Jeffrey left the familiarity of their Salem streets and ventured to Danvers to see those the historic sites. From the old foundations of Reverend Parris's home to the actual house of witch trial victim Rebecca Nurse, join us as we wander in the footsteps of both accuser and accused. 

RESOURCES

• "Foundation of the Salem Village Parsonage" Salem Witch Museum https://salemwitchmuseum.com/locations/site-of-salem-village-parsonage/

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www.btftours.com

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www.bewitchedtours.com

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Have you ever tried to contact spirits? Those who are said to dwell beyond the vale? As the planchette moves across the board everything will be revealed. But just in case you don't have a Ouija Board, you can join Jeffrey and Sarah as they talk with John Kozik, owner of the world's only witch board museum. John has a near-encyclopedic knowledge of the talking board. We'll explore everything from the history and origins, to obscure boards, to some fun superstitions (or Ouija-stitions).  All from inside this unique Salem gem. 

Resources:

• https://www.salemwitchboardmuseum.com/

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Eldest of the three sisters, happily married, mother to eight children and many more grandchildren, and a fully coveted member of the Puritan Church. And yet, Rebecca Nurse found herself at the heart of witchcraft accusations in mid-March of 1692. She was tried, found guilty, and executed. Join local Salem tour guides Sarah & Jeffrey for a discussion on the life and tragic death of this well-known Salem Witch Trials victim. 

• Six Women of Salem: The Untold Story of the Accused and Their Accusers in the Salem Witch Trials. By Marilynne K. Roach (2013).

“An aged man, without an enemy in the world, in his own house, and in his own bed, is made the victim of a butchery murder, for mere pay.” Words spoken by Daniel Webster during Salem's most infamous murder trial. Join local Salem tour guides Jeffrey & Sarah as they recount the harrowing details surrounding the death of Captain Joseph White on that moonlit night in April, nearly 200 years ago.

• "A Murder in Salem" By E.J. Wagner. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-murder-in-salem-64885035/

This week, paranormal expert Dr. Vitka of Spellbound Walking Tours joins us for a peek behind the veil. What are what we call ghosts? A lingering spirit, imprints of energy,  We don't promise to have the answers but we’ll share some stories, theories, and even a personal ghostly experiences or two!

Paranormal investigator? Bigfoot serenader? UFO believer? Elvis aficionado? Who exactly is the mysterious Dr. Mike Vitka! Joining Jeffrey & Sarah this week is fellow tour guide Mike Vitka, owner of Spellbound Walking Tours. Spellbound has been haunting the streets of Salem for over 20 years as Witch City’s original haunted tour.

• This episode may not be suitable for young ears. Some grotesque subjects include decapitation, shrunken heads, and Bigfoot erotica. Pursue at own risk!

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At 1:37 PM on June 25, 1914 a fire began at the Korn Leather factory in Salem's manufacturing district. It would burn for 13 hours, destroy a third of the city, and render 18k-20k people homeless. Join local Salem tour guides Sarah & Jeffrey as they talk about this often-overlooked tragedy that devastated Witch City in the early twentieth century.

• The Salem Fire.  By Arthur B. Jones. (1914) https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Salem_Fire.html?id=NZwlAQAAMAAJ 

In Part 1, we covered the life of Bridget Bishop leading up to 1692. We stopped just short of how her story unfolds in the days after her arrest. Although she was hardly the first person accused, she was the first to be brought before the court of Oyer and Terminer. Join local Salem tour guides Jeffrey and Sarah, as they explore the last weeks of Bridget Bishop’s life.

• Six Women of Salem: The Untold Story of the Accused and Their Accusers in the Salem Witch Trials (2013)

"Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project"

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It has certainly been a crazy week here in Witch City! The iconic 9-ft bronze statue of Elizabeth Montgomery was doused in bright red paint. The Satanic Temple was also attacked by an arsonist. Local Salem tour guides Sarah & Jeffrey share some details and discuss the immediate public response. They also chat about attending a memorial service for the 330th anniversary of Bridget Bishop's execution.

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Bridget Bishop may be the most well-known name from the Salem Witch Trials, and for good reason. She was the first person to be brought to trial, and subsequently the first to be found guilty and executed. She was hanged on June 10th 1692. Join local Salem tour guides Sarah and Jeffrey as they cover what we know of her story leading up to 1692.

• Six Women of Salem: The Untold Story of the Accused and Their Accusers in the Salem Witch Trials (2013)

"Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project"

Book a tour with Jeffrey

Book a tour with Sarah

Intro/Outro Music from Uppbeat: