The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts is home to a significant collection of historical artifacts, including those related to the infamous Salem Witch Trials. This event was a dark chapter in American history that took place in the late 17th century, during which numerous people were accused of witchcraft and subsequently put on trial. The museum's collection pertaining to the Salem Witch Trials sheds light on the historical context and societal tensions that led to the outbreak of witchcraft accusations in Salem. It includes original documents, such as legal records, letters, and diaries, as well as personal belongings of those involved in the trials. By examining these artifacts, visitors can gain insight into the lives of both the accused and the accusers, as well as the larger social and religious climate of the time. The museum also showcases interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations that provide a more immersive experience for visitors, allowing them to better understand the events and their impact.
This self-guided audio tour takes you inside the galleries and outside the museum to learn more about the infamous events of 1692. PEM curators and experts share a behind-the-scenes perspective of some of the most compelling stories in Salem in this 1 hour tour. Included with admission.
These legal records, which were returned to the Judicial Archives following the expansion and modernization of the Massachusetts State Archives facility, are available to researchers around the world on our website here thanks to a comprehensive digitization project undertaken by the museum. Centuries after this storied crisis, the personal tragedies and grievous wrongs of the Salem Witch Trials continue to provoke reflection, reckoning and a search for meaning.
The museum also showcases interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations that provide a more immersive experience for visitors, allowing them to better understand the events and their impact. The Salem Witch Trials exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum aims to educate and challenge common misconceptions about witchcraft and the supernatural. It addresses the complex nature of the trials, exploring the factors that contributed to the mass hysteria and the subsequent loss of innocent lives.
The Salem Witch Trials: Restoring Justice
Please note: Capacity is limited in the Salem Witch Trials: Restoring Justice exhibition gallery. Visitors may experience long wait times, especially on the weekends. Please stop by the Witch Trials exhibition entrance to be added to the waitlist. While you wait, listen to our latest PEMcast for a sneak peek of the exhibition with the curators.
Salem’s witch trials are a definitive example of intolerance and injustice in American history. This exhibition examines the extraordinary series of events in 1692-3 that led to the deaths of 25 innocent women, men and children who were wrongfully convicted of crimes. More than 300 years later, the personal tragedies and grievous wrongs that occurred still provoke us to reflect and reckon with the experiences of those involved.
The exhibition tells this story through court documents and authentic historic objects presented as tangible fragments directly tied to people in Salem and nearby communities in the late 17th century. A handwritten petition, a carved loom, a walking stick — each illuminates an aspect of individuals who lived through Salem’s witch trials and serves as a reminder of the real people impacted by these harrowing events.
Many Salem area residents realized the judicial proceedings were flawed and the trials unjust. As early as the late 1690s, victims and their communities took action in attempts to restore the innocence of those wrongly accused and convicted. While the trauma and loss can never be fully repaired, these tangible steps over the centuries have made progress toward healing a deeply fractured community. The process continues today.
The Salem Witch Trials: Restoring Justice is organized by the Peabody Essex Museum. This exhibition is made possible by Carolyn and Peter S. Lynch and The Lynch Foundation. We thank James B. and Mary Lou Hawkes, Chip and Susan Robie, and Timothy T. Hilton as supporters of the Exhibition Innovation Fund. We also recognize the generosity of the East India Marine Associates of the Peabody Essex Museum.
Follow along on social media using #1692witchtrials
TOP IMAGE: Tompkins Harrison Matteson. Trial of George Jacobs, August 5, 1692, 1855. Oil on canvas, 39 × 53 in. (99.1 × 134.6 cm). Gift of R. W. Ropes, 1859 (1246).
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In addition to its collection, the museum also offers educational programs and guided tours that delve even deeper into the history and significance of the Salem Witch Trials. These programs provide visitors with a more in-depth understanding of the trials and their lasting impact on American society. Overall, the Peabody Essex Museum's exhibit on the Salem Witch Trials serves as a testament to the power of history and the importance of remembering and learning from past events. It encourages visitors to critically examine the events of the trials while also appreciating the resilience of the human spirit in the face of injustice and fear..
Reviews for "A Haunting History: Uncovering the Salem Witch Trials at the Peabody Essex Museum"
- John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with the Salem Witch Trials exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum. The information was presented in a confusing way and it was hard to follow the narrative of the events. The exhibit also felt very small and didn't provide enough context for someone who didn't already know a lot about the trials. Overall, I didn't feel like I learned much from the experience and would not recommend it to others.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I visited the Peabody Essex Museum hoping to learn more about the Salem Witch Trials, but I left feeling underwhelmed. The exhibit lacked depth and didn't do justice to the historical significance of the events. I felt like they focused more on the sensational aspects of the trials rather than providing a balanced perspective. Additionally, the exhibit was crowded and it was difficult to fully engage with the displays. I would suggest looking for other sources to learn about the Salem Witch Trials instead of relying on this exhibit.
- Michael - 1 star - I found the Salem Witch Trials exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum to be incredibly disappointing. The information provided was superficial and didn't delve into the complexities of the trials. The exhibit felt rushed and incomplete, leaving me with more questions than answers. Additionally, the space felt cramped and there were long lines waiting to see certain displays. Overall, I would not recommend this exhibit to anyone looking to learn about the Salem Witch Trials.