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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.05mi , Attraction : Historic House, Garden (Recommended selfie spot).
Map Pin
318 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
Ropes Mansion & Garden
Let's get started! Welcome to the Ropes Mansion and Garden, a true gem of Salem’s architectural heritage. As you stand before this imposing, yet graceful, Georgian Colonial mansion, you're looking at more than just a beautiful house; you're peering into centuries of one family's life and legacy. Built in 1768, this residence was home to four generations of the Ropes family, prominent Salem merchants, judges, and philanthropists, until 1907.

The house offers a rare glimpse into the evolution of domestic life, as the family continuously updated and added to their home, rather than tearing it down. You’ll find furniture and decorative arts spanning the Queen Anne, Chippendale, Federal, and Victorian periods, all original to the Ropes family. Imagine Nathaniel Ropes, a successful merchant and ship owner, walking these very halls. Later, his grandson, Judge Nathaniel Ropes, who served on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, also resided here, leaving his intellectual mark on the property.

But wait, there's more than just history here! For those of you with a penchant for Halloween cult classics, you might recognize this as 'Allison's house' from the beloved 1993 film *Hocus Pocus*. Yes, the exterior shots where Max and Dani visit Allison were filmed right here! It’s quite the contrast, isn't it? A dignified 18th-century home providing the backdrop for teenage shenanigans and a trio of resurrected witches.

And don't forget the exquisite gardens out back. These meticulously restored Victorian-era gardens are a tranquil oasis, designed in the late 19th century by the Ropes sisters, Eliza and Mary. They feature winding paths, fragrant flowers, and a beautiful fountain, offering a perfect spot for reflection after delving into Salem's more dramatic history. It’s a wonderful example of how one family’s dedication to their home has preserved so much for us to enjoy today.

Read More

  https://www.pem.org/visit/ropes-mansion-garden/
Place #2
Distance: 0.03mi , Attraction : Historic House Museum (Recommended selfie spot).
Map Pin
314 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
POI 2 Tour Image
The Witch House
Up next is the historic Witch House, a genuinely rare gem in Salem. Don't let the name fool you into expecting a coven's lair; this is actually the former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, and it's the only standing structure in Salem with direct, verifiable ties to the 1692 Witch Trials. Yes, you heard that right – the *only* one. Built between 1620 and 1642, this First Period Colonial structure offers a unique window into 17th-century life.

Judge Corwin was one of the magistrates involved in the preliminary examinations of accused witches during that tumultuous period. He signed numerous arrest warrants and presided over many of the initial hearings. Imagine the decisions made and the accusations discussed within these very walls during those dark days. His involvement spanned from May to October of 1692, making this house a silent witness to a significant portion of the trials.

Today, The Witch House is preserved as a museum, showcasing artifacts and furnishings that reflect the lifestyle of a prosperous Puritan family from that era. You'll see period furniture, tools, and a glimpse into the domestic arrangements. It’s a sobering experience to walk through rooms where a man who held the power of life and death over his neighbors once lived and worked. It's a tangible link to the past, reminding us that these events didn't happen in some distant, abstract realm, but in real homes, among real people, right here in Salem.

Read More

  https://www.thewitchhouse.org/
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Ropes Mansion & Garden
Map Pin Place 2 The Witch House
Map Pin Place 3 Nathaniel Bowditch House
Map Pin Place 4 Witch Dungeon Museum
Map Pin Place 5 Gallows Hill Museum/Theater
Map Pin Place 6 Bewitched Statue
Map Pin Place 7 The Museum Place
Map Pin Place 8 Peabody Essex Museum
Map Pin Place 9 Salem Witch Museum
Map Pin Place 10 Nathaniel Hawthorne Statue
Map Pin Place 11 Witch Trials Memorial
Map Pin Place 12 New England Pirate Museum
Map Pin Place 13 Salem Custom House
Map Pin Place 14 Derby Wharf & Friendship
Map Pin Place 15 Salem Maritime National Historic Site
Map Pin Place 16 House of the Seven Gables



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