The Witch House

Address:	310 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Phone:	+1 978-744-8815
Site:	witchhouse.info
Rating:	4.1

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 16

Athelyn Stark

The Judge Corwin House. c. 1642. Salem, MA Also known as the Witch House, this 17th century home is located on Essex Street in Salem. It is the only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties to the Witchcraft Trials of 1692. When threatened with demolition, Historic Salem Inc was established to return the house to a 17th century look & move it to the west. The Witch House first opened as a museum in 1946. Sightings & stories of hauntings abound. Back when Jonathan Corwin, a merchant by trade with a wealthy family of shipbuilders, purchased the property in 1675, there was already a partially completed timber frame. The structure that stood at the time of his purchase has been estimated to have been constructed as early as 1642. If that could be proven, it would rival the homes currently considered to be the oldest in town. Corwin completed the construction & moved in with his family in 1679. As a local magistrate & civic leader, Corwin was called upon to investigate the claims of witchcraft in Salem & neighbouring communities, serving on the Court of Oyer & Terminer. He & John Hathorne, another local magistrate & Nathaniel Hawthorne’s great-great-grandfather, held hearings in which testimony was gathered from Tituba, Sarah Good, & Sarah Osborne, the first three women accused of being witches. By this time a significant number of people had been jailed on accusations of witchcraft in the Salem area. Claims by a later owner of the home that the trials took place right inside the home have never been proven. That owner, a pharmacist named George Farrington, had purchased the house in the late 1850s & began attracting tourists with his embellished stories, calling his home The Witch House. The Corwin family had owned the house until that point in the 19th century, during which time a number of alterations were made to the home. George Farrington had also built a shop onto one side of the building. The John Corwin House is a contributing property to the Chestnut Street Historic District, a US Historic District, & is listed as such in the National Register of Historic Places.

Caroline Nadeau

Très belle maison où on retrouve des objets et un décor de lépoque du procès des sorcières de Salem. Ce fut la résidence dun juge de ces procès. Pour moins de 20$US pour deux adultes et un enfant. Cest sûr que cest un peu une trappe à touristes, mais tout comme la destination, la ville, elle-même. Alors soit on accepte le fait et on en profite, soit on ny va pas si on nest pas daccord ;-)

S. Bateman

First place we visited once we arrived in Salem. At a glance, its dark exterior coupled with the name it was given, it casts a spooky shadow on an otherwise active and somewhat busy street corner. But the creepiness falls away to something more like intrigue once youve learned about the history of this house and how is yours in to the mystique that permeates the small town of Salem, Massachusetts... I suggest it to anyone whos interested in Salem historical past or to those who may wonder what it was like to live as a Quaker in colonial Massachusetts.

Tiffany H

We went here based on the reviews we had just entered salem.. Megan was extremly friendly om the phone explaining parking garages we could use amd the best way to get around the town... once there she was so fantastic explain the town and where everything was located. We paid 8.25 a person not bad for the whole thing..... she even walkef aroind explaining different parts of the house until she had to get back to the gift shop. The house its self was very nice very detailed in explaining things. Over all best experience in salem.

Brian Foster

This is the old Sibley house. The folklore is that Mrs. Sibley and other high ranking members of the society blamed the innocent for being witches, whether it be political or personal. Whoever left these comments dont have a liking towards the history of our country or just like to bash on the history of our country and only think of Salem of a fake Witch town which we are not.bot to mention whoever left these comments should not have even step foot in the house.

Jeff Plummer

Its the house with 7 gables on it. The home of the Sheirff. What a beautiful looking home for that time period. Im going to get there ASAP. I will see it before I die. I need to go see that part of Salem. I just found out my family were the Allens and they came over on the Mayflower. And I got pictures and seen that. Granted its not the real deal but close enough. Its great to have a part of history still alive. Along with the spirits.

katy daniell

It just wasnt worth it the $8.25. The creaks in the floorboards were my favorite aspect of the house. It was also not a house of the witches, but the home of the judge who sentenced them. I found Salem to be a bit of a tourist trap, and appreciated the fact it only cost me $8.25 to find out. I highly recommend the Patrick Dougherty installation, though. The cemetery is also really cool, and free.

Isaac Blancas

I went in not knowing what kind of tour I would get. I was shocked and delighted to find out they had experts with the ability to answer any question I had about witches and that time. Some of the furniture and Things lying around the house were amazing to see. Its not very often you see clocks and furniture from the 17th century

Heather Vires

Salem Witch House is the last standing structure in Salem linked to the trials. There is a lot of history in the house. I didnt experience and long lines, and loved the interior of the house...which you obviously have to pay to see. I didnt think it was overpriced...Ive paid about the same to see some crappy movie.

Michael Zelek

This was a fun inexpensive tour however I expected more from the Salem witch trials. There were only a handful of rooms pertaining to the Witch trials and most rooms dealt with life back in those time periods. Overall it was fun and cheap and not a bad way to get festive with the feel of the town.

hi there

A cute medieval type home on the inside especially with the window, dining table and chair designs. Its a self guided tour with photos and videos allowed. No flash please. You can see the houses age on the inside with the old flooring. Its a beautiful house well maintened.

Eric KABUSS

Donne une bonne idée de ce quétait la vie des notables en 1692. Mais nest en aucun cas la maison dune des sorcières.

Felicia Black

A must see landmark in Salem! The self guided tour lets you go at your own pace. The city has also placed an easy to follow red line tour path on the sidewalk so once you leave here follow the trail for a casual walking tour of this historic town!

Karen Ba

Good historic overview putting witch trials in context of day to day living in the period as well as giving an understanding of the political climate driving that tragedy. Not sensationalized and seems authentic. Lefy me wanting to learn more.

Charles Woods

This was an awesome place to visit and the staff was so nice and extremely helpful. There is also a small gift shop right when you walk into the house. There is quite a bit of information in this little house. I would definitely be back again.

Ilivtelyrr Zauraeghym

Last standing original structure from the colony and definitely worth seeing. Costs $8 for adults but is worth every penny to see what living was like I kn the 17th century and where some significant events of the witch trials happened