The Salem Witch Outbreak of 1692 lasted for under a year, but left a mark in history that is still prominent today. Not only is the series of events remembered in history, popular culture uses aspects of the events. Unfortunately, through popular culture, the public has lost touch with the real events that ruined the lives of so many villagers. In seven months, 162 people were accused of witchcraft. The executions only lasted for four months (June-September) and claimed the lives of 19 people, there were others who died in jail though. Many of these people were average villagers, who went to church and lived good lives. For unknown reasons two little girls, Elizabeth Parris and Abigail Williams, claimed witches caused them harm. The events did not begin as an outbreak, but as an isolated event that quickly transformed into an outbreak of witchcraft. When Tituba confessed to witchcraft, she confirmed the villagers’ fears of an organization of witches living amongst them.

The Salem Village Witchcraft Victims’ Memorial recognizes all the people who lost their lives during the witch hunt. The design of the memorial is symbolic, representing the events and what they mean today. For one, the memorial is across the street from the location of the old meeting house where many of the witches received their examinations. At the forefront is the “pulpit” with the bible box, representing devotion. “THE BOOK OF LIFE” represents the sacrifice of those executed, because they did not confess claiming they did not sign the Devil’s book and that they wanted to sign the Book of Life. By signing this book, instead of the Devil’s, the accused wanted to gain eternal life through God. Another feature of the memorial is the words of the accused. To the day these people died, they claimed their innocence. There are other symbolic features representing the injustices that occurred during the trials. The main aspect of the memorial is for it to serve as a “reminder that each generation must confront intolerance and “witch hunts” with integrity, clear vision and courage.” 

By: Jessica McKenzie 

Credits and Sources:

Games, Alison.Witchcraft in Early North America.New York, NY: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2010.

Hansen, Chadwick. Witchcraft at Salem.New York, NY: G. Braziller, 1969.  

Rapley, Robert.Witch Hunts: From Salem to Guantanamo Bay.Canadian Electronic Library: McGill-Queen’s Press, 2007.

Trask, Richard B. “Witchcraft Victims’ Memorial.” Danvers Archival Center. Last modified August 2013. Accessed September 14, 2016. http://www.danverslibrary.org/archive/?page_id=750