The Witch Heritage Repository serves as a valuable resource for individuals interested in learning about and studying the history and practices of witchcraft. It is a comprehensive collection of artifacts, texts, and documents that provide insight into the rich traditions and beliefs associated with witchcraft. The repository houses a wide range of materials, including ancient spell books, potions, and tools used in rituals. These artifacts offer a glimpse into the practical aspects of witchcraft and provide a deeper understanding of the techniques employed by witches throughout history. In addition to physical objects, the Witch Heritage Repository also maintains an extensive library of books, manuscripts, and research papers related to witchcraft. These texts cover various aspects of the craft, such as the origins of witchcraft, the role of witches in society, and different schools of witchcraft.
Samuel Wyllys Papers
Held at the Connecticut State Library and available online, the papers contain original
documents regarding witch trials in the state. Refer to the Tomlinson books in this research
guide for exacting information about the documents.
Following the trials, the people felt that the devil was still loose among them, but that he had deluded people into believing that innocents were witches. While Taylor focuses on the trials in Connecticut, the book strives to provide an overview of the history of how the events of the colonial era came to pass, including looks at European trials.
These texts cover various aspects of the craft, such as the origins of witchcraft, the role of witches in society, and different schools of witchcraft. Scholars and enthusiasts can access these resources to conduct research and expand their knowledge on the subject. One of the notable features of the Witch Heritage Repository is its dedication to preserving the stories and experiences of witches from different cultures and time periods.
Witchcraft and Hauntings Research at the Bridgeport History Center by Meg Rinn, Assistant Archivist
Colonial New England’s witch trials are a perpetual source of fascination and curiosity, as are more
local hauntings over the years. Bridgeport was home to the Lindley Street poltergeist haunting in
the 1970s, which saw a mass media frenzy over the strange incidents, and there were a few colonial
era witch trials in Fairfield County.
While the Bridgeport History Center has few original documents related to these events, it does
have a host of secondary resources that provide great information for gaining context and
understanding the events and their cultural context. This guide is divided into two parts: witchcraft
trials and hauntings.
Witchcraft Trials
The study and understanding of witch trials in Europe and colonial New England has endured for
centuries, as well as gone through various cycles of understanding the causes of these events. Some
eras focus on gender exclusively, others look to environmental factors (such as ergot being
responsible for the events at Salem, Massachusetts), and dozens of other explanations. These cycles
have a tendency to make works seem unfortunately dated because of their preoccupation with one
particular factor. Whenever possible, the secondary works that display this particular bias have
been noted. The material below focuses primarily on Connecticut trials, rather than the whole of
New England. Those seeking wider information are advised to look at the resources in the
Connecticut State Library’s research guide, as it includes Massachusetts trials.
Primary sources
Records of the colony or jurisdiction of New Haven, from May, 1653, to the union. Together with
New Haven code of 1656, p. 77-88
The original copy of the Records of New Haven are held at the Connecticut State Library. A
transcript copy is available online. The material related to the Goodwife Knapp trial is
locate on pages 77-88.
Samuel Wyllys Papers
Held at the Connecticut State Library and available online, the papers contain original
documents regarding witch trials in the state. Refer to the Tomlinson books in this research
guide for exacting information about the documents.
Secondary works
Connecticut State Library. Research Guide to Colonial Witchcraft Trial Materials at the Connecticut
State Library. Undated
Published by the Connecticut State Library, this research guide includes some sources listed here,
as well as listings of where primary documents reside. It also includes extensive information on
Massachusetts colony trials, which this research guide does not.
Karlsen, Carol F. The devil in the shape of a woman : witchcraft in colonial New England. (1987).
New York : Vintage Books 133.40974 K18d
This excellent overview of the whole of New England witchcraft takes a particular focus on the role
that gender played in accusations. While focusing wholly on gender in witch trials has since fallen
out of fashion among historians, it is still a major factor and this book illuminates it.
Marcus, Ronald. “Elizabeth Clawson … thou deservest to dye”: An account of the trial in 1692 of a
woman from Stamford, Connecticut who was accused of being a witch (1976). Stamford,
Connecticut: Stamford Historical Society. 133.4 C6616m
This case study focuses on the trial and execution of Elizabeth Clawson in Stamford, offering a solid
perspective on how these trials worked on a case-by-case level.
Taylor, John M. The witchcraft delusion in colonial Connecticut, 1647-1697. (1908.) New York :
Grafton Press. 133.43 Taylor
One of the most important parts of this particular text is that it contains reproductions of primary
documents used in several of the witch trials at the start of the book. While Taylor focuses on the
trials in Connecticut, the book strives to provide an overview of the history of how the events of the
colonial era came to pass, including looks at European trials. Please be aware that some
information and perspectives may now be outdated. It is also available online.
Tomlinson, Richard G. Witchcraft trials of Connecticut : the first comprehensive, documented
history of witchcraft trials in colonial Connecticut. (1978) – 345.746 T659w
An earlier version of the book listed below, this book lists almost all the primary sources and their
locations in Connecticut.
Tomlinson, Richard G. Witchcraft Prosecution: Chasing the Devil in Connecticut. (2012.)
Rockland, ME : Picton Press. 345.74 Tomlinson
This recent publication attempts to give a history of witch trials in the state, as well as an overview
of nearly every trial and what happened within. The appendices contain biographies of major
players, overviews of primary document sources, and additional helpful information.
Hauntings
Written works about hauntings tend to reveal if an author is a true believer, a skeptic, or
somewhere in between. In order to provide accurate information about an author’s bias, their
skepticism is included in resource descriptions when possible. Please note that in the case of
material written by and relating to Connecticut natives Ed and Lorraine Warren, there is additional
controversy related to how skeptical an author or authors may be. The Bridgeport History Center is
aware that there are strong opinions about their careers, and strives to offer access to all
perspectives.
Primary sources
ARC 001308 — Lindley Street Haunting
The BHC ARC files represent small archival collections that do not have enough material to
be a standalone collection. This file in particular relates to the poltergeist activity on Lindley Street
during the 1970s, which centered on a young girl. Ed and Lorraine Warren were heavily involved
in trying to cast out this poltergeist. Composed of newspaper clippings, this material relates how
newspapers interpreted the events of Lindley Street in real time. For additional information, refer
to the listing for William J. Hall’s book under secondary works on this page.
Secondary works
Brittle, Gerald. The Demonologist: the extraordinary career of Ed and Lorraine Warren. 2002.
Lincoln, NE : BackInPrint.Com. 133.42 Brittle
This biography of Ed and Lorraine Warren heavily quotes the Warrens themselves and provides
their perspective on their careers as paranormal investigators. It very heavily favors their version
of events, and so those seeking more skeptical opinions are not well served by this particular text.
Carter, Donald. Connecticut’s Seaside Ghosts. (2008.) Atglen, Pa. : Schiffer Pub. Ltd. 133.1 Carter
Covering the whole of Connecticut’s coast line, Carter’s text offers excellent photographs and
history of the locations that he focuses on. It is written in first person.
Hall, William J. The World’s Most Haunted House: the true story of the Bridgeport poltergeist on
Lindley Street. (2014.) Pompton Plains, New Jersey : New Page Books. 133.12 HALL
This comprehensive overview of the Lindley Street poltergeist haunting lays out a well-researched
timeline of events. As many horror films draw inspiration from these events, this particular text
offers a skeptical view of events and extends empathy to the young woman who was at the center of
events.
Warren, Ed and Loraine. Various titles available in the catalog.
The published writings of Ed and Loraine Warren contain their perspective on various
occurrences they have been involved in. They are credulous on the topic of hauntings, demons, and
the like and bring a religious perspective.
Oral histories and interviews with practicing witches are recorded and stored in order to provide a more personal and authentic perspective on the craft. The Witch Heritage Repository also plays a crucial role in dispelling misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding witchcraft. Through educational programs and exhibits, it strives to promote accurate information about witches and their practices, fostering a better understanding and appreciation for this ancient tradition. Overall, the Witch Heritage Repository serves as a vital hub for studying and documenting the history and practices of witchcraft. It is an invaluable resource for those seeking to explore this fascinating subject and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of witches throughout the ages..
Reviews for "Understanding Witchcraft: Insights from the Witch Heritage Repository's Historical Documents"
1. Shannon - 2/5 - I was really excited to visit the Witch heritage repository, as I have always been interested in witchcraft and the history surrounding it. However, I was sorely disappointed with my experience. The exhibits were poorly organized and lacked any real depth. It felt like they had thrown together a bunch of random artifacts without any clear vision or narrative. The information provided was extremely basic and felt more like a Wikipedia entry than a curated museum experience. Overall, I left feeling like I had wasted my time and money.
2. Mark - 2/5 - The Witch heritage repository was a complete letdown for me. Firstly, the entrance fee was quite expensive for what you actually got to see. The exhibits were very limited in terms of content and were poorly labeled, making it difficult to understand the significance of the artifacts on display. Additionally, the overall atmosphere of the museum was lackluster, lacking any sense of mystery or intrigue that one would expect from a place dedicated to witchcraft. I would not recommend visiting unless you have absolutely nothing else to do in the area.
3. Jessica - 3/5 - As someone who is genuinely interested in witchcraft and the history of witches, I was slightly disappointed with the Witch heritage repository. While it had some interesting artifacts, the overall presentation and organization of the exhibits left much to be desired. The information provided was very surface-level and failed to delve into the complexities and nuances of witchcraft throughout history. I was hoping for a more immersive experience, but it felt more like an average museum visit. However, if you're a casual visitor with only a passing interest in the subject matter, it might suffice.