In 1692, the Salem Witchcraft Trials took place in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. This dark period in American history was marked by a wave of hysteria and paranoia, leading to the unjust accusations and trials of numerous individuals who were accused of practicing witchcraft. The Salem Witchcraft Trials began when a group of young girls in Salem Village claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of bewitching them. This initial accusation quickly escalated into a full-scale witch hunt, with the girls pointing fingers at more and more people in the community. As the accusations spread, paranoia and fear gripped the town of Salem. People were arrested and placed on trial, with little to no evidence against them other than the testimonies of the afflicted girls.
People were arrested and placed on trial, with little to no evidence against them other than the testimonies of the afflicted girls. The courts relied heavily on spectral evidence, which allowed the girls to testify about experiencing visions or being tormented by the accused witches. The trials were highly biased, with little regard for due process or the presumption of innocence.
Experience Salem in 1692 with Better Than Fiction Salem Walking Tours
This October in Salem, Massachusetts, Better Than Fiction Salem Walking Tours is sharing the history of the Salem Witch Trials through their 1692: Salem and Witchcraft Walking Tour. The tour, along with their tour on Salem’s Dark History, runs multiple dates and times throughout Salem Haunted Happenings offering a detailed look at the events of 1692 while seeing sites around Salem today.
If you are interested in taking any walking tour in Salem, or participating in any timed events this fall, we strongly recommend getting your tickets in advance. You can find tickets for both of Better Than Fiction’s tours at btftours.com, and learn more about our experience taking the 1692 Salem and Witchcraft Walking Tour below.
Better Than Fiction’s tours depart from the newly named Houdini Way (across from 15 Front Street). While performing in Salem in 1906, one of Harry Houdini’s escapes was a break out of a jail cell at what was then the Front Street Police Station. Better Than Fiction company owner and guide Jeffrey Lilley was instrumental in the naming of Houdini Way, and on July 15, 2021 the City of Salem made the name Houdini Way official.
After departing from Houdini Way, we learned about what life in Europe was like before the colonies were settled, and how this society gave rise to the Puritan culture that existed in Salem during 1692. Jeff did an excellent job of portraying Puritanism so that even if you are totally unfamiliar with it as a form of religious extremism, you’ll be brought up to speed in no time.
As the tour continued, Jeff’s style of storytelling along with close attention to detail gave us the full picture of what life in 1692 was like so that we could better understand why people would have suspected that the Devil had a hand in what was happening in Salem. Jeff’s anecdotes on Puritanism shared throughout the tour added layers to the logistics of the Salem Witch Trials with each stop around town, allowing for an entertaining and interactive look into Salem’s past.
The tour covered events from the Witch Trials from the afflictions of Betty Parris and Abigail Williams to the executions of innocent victims, while covering all of the necessary details in between, including laws from the time, religious beliefs, forms of torture that were used for the accused held in Salem’s jail and in the case of the pressing of Giles Corey, and so much more. The tour even went far beyond the end of the Witch Trials to share how these tragic events had ripple effects throughout the rest of Salem’s history, and even how some outcomes of the Trials are still happening today.
While not focused on ghost stories, Jeff’s enthusiasm for history made the tour very entertaining, and even being quite familiar with the Salem Witch Trials we heard stories that we did not know going into the tour. Some of the sites we stopped at during the tour were even new-to-us in that we were not aware of what had taken place in certain specific locations around town in 1692.
Perhaps the most valuable part of the tour is the way that Jeff used the Salem Witch Trials to make connections to the present, even going beyond the installation of the Salem Witch Trials Memorial (where we ended our tour). Jeff portrayed the humanity in all of the people involved in the Witch Trials (or the lack thereof depending on the person) in such a way that really helped put some context behind names and dates and give us greater understanding of the Trials.
We don’t want to give away too many specifics, because Jeff really does a better job of sharing this time in Salem’s history (and we want you to get the most out of your tour), but if you book your next Salem walking tour with Better Than Fiction, here is some of what you can expect:
- The tour stops at 5-7 sites relevant to the Salem Witch Trials in just under a mile’s walk.
- The tour is approximately an hour and a half long.
- In terms of content, you’re getting the full story of the Salem Witch Trials, from the arrival of the Puritans in Salem (with context from even earlier before they left Europe) through the end of the Trials, later outcomes in the 18th and 19th centuries through the present.
- Tours typically run twice daily at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm, with additional tours on the calendar throughout October (purchase tickets here).
- If you are interested in a later tour, Better Than Fiction also offers tours of Salem’s dark history (learn more here).
Prior to starting Better Than Fiction Tours, Jeff earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology while in Bath, England and he spent eight years serving in the United States Marines. During his undergraduate career, he gained his first tour experience while giving campus and city tours in the international office. Prior to that, his service in the Marines focused on primary MOS (infantry) and duty as Armor Custodian, as well as his role as a combat instructor and martial arts instructor where he was responsible for training and logistical operations. He also spent several seasons narrating the haunted hayride at Witch’s Woods in Westford and he has worked with Historic Tours of America in Building 21 in Key West, where he also gave several summer ghost tours.
He began giving tours and sharing his interest in Salem’s past after his move to our historic seaport, and later made the decision to open his own company focused on accurate yet compelling storytelling, in Better Than Fiction Tours.
To book your tour, visit btftours.com.
Remember to book early for tours during Salem Haunted Happenings, and enjoy your visit!
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As the tour continued, Jeff’s style of storytelling along with close attention to detail gave us the full picture of what life in 1692 was like so that we could better understand why people would have suspected that the Devil had a hand in what was happening in Salem. Jeff’s anecdotes on Puritanism shared throughout the tour added layers to the logistics of the Salem Witch Trials with each stop around town, allowing for an entertaining and interactive look into Salem’s past.
The accused faced a predetermined outcome, often leading to their conviction and execution. Twenty people were executed during the Salem Witchcraft Trials, with many others imprisoned or faced with public humiliation. It was not until the community started to question the credibility of the afflicted girls and the fairness of the trials that the hysteria began to subside. In 1693, the governor of Massachusetts dissolved the court and released those who were still imprisoned. The Salem Witchcraft Trials remain a dark chapter in American history, serving as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of unfounded accusations. The events of 1692 serve as a cautionary tale, prompting us to reflect on the importance of justice, fairness, and critical thinking in times of uncertainty..
Reviews for "The 1692 Witchcraft Walk: A Historical Journey through Salem's Darkest Times"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "1692 Witchcraft Walk". As a fan of historical fiction, I was expecting an immersive and well-researched story. Unfortunately, I found the writing to be shallow and lacking depth. The characters felt one-dimensional and the plot was predictable. Overall, it was a forgettable read for me.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I can't believe I wasted my time reading "1692 Witchcraft Walk". The storytelling was incredibly slow and uneventful. The author failed to create any suspense or intrigue, and I was left feeling bored throughout the entire book. The dialogue also felt stilted and unnatural. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging historical fiction read.
3. Mark - 2 stars - "1692 Witchcraft Walk" fell short of my expectations. The prose was overly simplistic and lacked the rich descriptions I love in historical fiction. The pacing was off, with too much time spent on insignificant details and not enough on building tension or resolving conflicts. Additionally, the romantic subplot felt forced and unnecessary. Overall, I was left underwhelmed by this book.
4. Emily - 3 stars - While "1692 Witchcraft Walk" had its moments, I found it to be an average read. The premise was interesting, but the execution fell flat. The author failed to fully explore the historical context, leaving me wanting more depth and authenticity. The characters were somewhat likable, but lacked development. There were moments of suspense, but they were few and far between. Overall, it was an okay read, but nothing memorable.
5. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "1692 Witchcraft Walk" but was ultimately disappointed. The writing style was clunky and awkward, making it difficult to get invested in the story. The plot seemed promising, but it lacked coherence and direction. The author also failed to fully capitalize on the potential for tension and drama. I did appreciate the attempt at historical accuracy, but it wasn't enough to salvage the overall reading experience.