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burlisonbears Jul 2, 2007

Hello everyone!

I've been busy discovering the world of Massachusetts as most of you know! Having a grand time in our new state! This continues more of our journey. A few days ago Joseph and I ventured into Salem. We took the train so as not to have to deal with traffic. Yes, people really do drive crazy in this state! There seems to be no rules on the roads here.

Salem is wonderful! And it's great to see one of the oldest towns in America looking so beautiful and well-kept since the 1600s. The architecture is gorgeous on some of those historical buildings. Plus, I just love the New England style houses along the coast. They are so cute! We walked through all of the historical downtown area of Salem. Everything there has the theme of witches and pirates! Which I loved! We went to a few of the museums and reenactments. I loved the pirate museum. I've always loved pirates and learning about the true history of them. It was awesome to hear the stories about the pirates who sailed the New England coast in the 1700s, including the infamous Blackbeard! The true stories are fascinating. And I added another pirate history book from their gift shop to my pirate collection at home!

The Salem witch trials of course is extremely fascinating. I've always been interested in that subject. A few years ago we watched the play "The Crucible" at Joseph's old college. We watched a trial reenactment in Salem and learned more history about the witch hysteria of 1692. We even visited the dungeon where those poor innocent people who had been accused of doing witchcraft were locked up. The dungeon was so creepy. Some of the cells were standing room only, where they were basically walled in and handcuffed so they couldn't move at all and they endured standing in sewer water up to their ankles and it was pitch dark at all times exept for once a day when the man with a lantern would come down with some food. I can't imagine being one of those people there. They even put a 5 year old girl in that dungeon, accused her of being a witch. The men and women who claimed their innocence back in 1692 were all tortured, put in the dungeon for months, and then hanged on Gallows Hill.

We visited lots of historical sites and took photos of historical statues. We even found an old cemetery where the judge from the witch trials still has a standing headstone. And even a more remarkable find was the headstone of a pilgrim captain from the Mayflower!

Enjoy the photos!

-Eliza

Jennskains Jul 2, 2007

I love Salem.  My Grandma lives in newburyport.

TamiL Jul 2, 2007

Very interesting, thanks for posting!

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJul 3, 2007

Great photos, Eliza . . . looks like you're having a great time!

Jodi Moisan Jul 3, 2007

Eliza The pictures are really cool, what a neat state to move to, I am so excited for you. Does this sound horrible , but I love going into old grave yards and looking at the tombstones, the art work is so amazing and I feel like when I read the names it brings that life back in some small way.

I Love Teddies Jul 3, 2007

great pictures!  :photo:

I like seeing the older towns because I've been researching my genealogy.  I have some family that came to New England in the 1600s .

Marlys Jul 3, 2007

I loved your pictures and I love the history that New England has. I also am a family geneologist and I find that so interesting. Jodi, I love going to old cemeteries and I mean that in the most respectful way. Sometimes I think we think of history as just stories, but when you see grave markers all those people become real to me. I think about how their lives must have been and, of course, none of us would be here without those ancestors who came before. Now Allyn and the kids have no interest in the past at all.

burlisonbears Jul 4, 2007

Oh me and Joseph love going to old cemeteries! We're both nerdy like that. We love history. I think the artwork on old tombstones is just fascinating...like the one with a skull head sprouting angel wings.