Witch Dungeon Museum

Related:	mashpee movie theater
Address:	16 Lynde St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Phone:	+1 978-741-3570
Site:	witchdungeon.com
Rating:	3.9

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

Jaden Miriam Kohen

This museum was a lot better than the more popular Salem Witch Museum. This museum was a live action witch trial with excerpts of the actual dialogue. The other museum is wax figure scenes that are systematically lit up as each is spoken about. The dungeon museum includes a tour of a basement dungeon of where witches would have been held until trial and the different types of cells they would have been held in. Our guide told us that when the river flooded the water would have been knee deep with rats swimming around. There were also examples of some torture devices. If you know some of the basic history already, definitely skip the Witch Museum and go here instead! Much better! More audience engaging. *Accessibility note* Be forewarned there are a lot of narrow poorly lit stairs up to the entrance, down to the dungeon, and possibly back up to exit and gift shop; they did mention exit to street from dungeon without going ALL the way back up to gift shop which saves you some stairs (3/4 flight-ish up and back down to exit stairs). You can look at the gift shop before entering the start of the attraction. *Unusual note* Flash photography is allowed, non-flash allowed, no filming or Snapchat for copyright, turn cell phones on silent/vibrate.

Ariana Anderson

As far as the museum, wish it would have been filled with real artifacts fro the history in Salem/Danverse. And as far as the people who work there,while alot of the people there are really nice, there is one woman who works there, who happens to be beyond rude and childlike, and she was completely capable of ruining a would be great time. I went in and asked about where the actual dungeon and actual hangings occurred at Gallows hill, A blonde heavyset woman, yelled at me, said it was none of my business where it had actually occurred and that Salem had way too many nosy tourists coming n and asking where the actual events occurred. Seriously this woman destroyed mine and my sons vacation. Rudest employee I have ever met. Really disappointing, this mean, bitter woman desroyed mine and my sons day, ruined Salem for us. Ruined our whole Boston experience. I have been waiting my entire life to come to Salem. Disappointed in this place is a total understatement.I traveled clear across the content from Utah to go to Salem....and this? Wow, if Massachusetts does not want tourism, this woman is who they need to destroy tourism in your state!

A Private User

We are originally from the West Coast, and while my teenage daughter had studied the Witch Trials, my 10 year old son had little knowledge and this was a perfect introduction for him. Our tour guide was very upbeat and animated and the actresses were surprisingly good given the repetitive nature of what they are doing. The history behind how the entire witch hunt started, the fact that adults took the word of such young girls and the conditions the prisioners were kept in were pretty incredible. A portion of the play was taken directly from transcripts of a trial, so while the dialogue seems a bit outlandish, I had to remind myself that I was looking at it from a 2012 perspective. The information regarding the dungeon and the conditions the prisoners lived in was mortifying. The tour guide really painted a picture of what it was like. As for "value for the price", I figure we all learned something, we were entertained, and its a tourist spot. Its what I expected AND it created a desire to learn more. Works for me.

lauren leggett

If youre walking in here thinking that youre visiting an actual witch prison, I suspect youre not paying much attention to the marketing material. What it actually is- a reenactment, and a somewhat playful one at that-- is a fun diversion with some actual historical education thrown in. The live acting of the witch trials is pretty great and they do it even if youre the only person visiting at the time (I know because I traveled here alone and they still put on the show for me, which I thought was awesome) Voyaging into the dungeons below gives you a sense of the cold, dark, awful space that actually once existed. Certainly the staging of the mannequins changes the vibe a bit from serious historical museum to roadside attraction but so what? I liked that and definitely felt that for my money I was treated to a good experience. I was, as mentioned, alone, and the staff still walked me through everything and answered all of my questions while acting and being kind.

EF F

Overall, Salem feels like a place thats struggling to maintain a certain level of tourism. Keeping this in mind, the museum was very well done. It starts with a mini play/re-enactment of what some people would recognise as the court scene from the BBC miniseries of "Salem." I didnt find the acting to be bad at all. In fact, you could tell that the actresses were very well-practiced. The information presented through the tour was also informative. Its not really a museum but more of an interactive historical play. I was also particularly impressed that they stated quite clearly that the witch hunt was about land grab and corruption and not about religion. In fact, they didnt blame religion at all which is actually refreshing. I recommend the visit.

Amelie Ruppert

Whether youre doing a witched themed day in Salem or just want to spice up a tourist visit with a bit of history, this is a nice place to start. A short play by laymen takes you back to the absurdity that was the Salem Witch Trails in the late 1600s, and the basement tour lets you experience for a short while the claustrophobic conditions which the accused had to endure. Quite educational, it makes it easy to understand why anyone accused might eventually confess just to escape this place. The Witch Dungeon Museum can be booked as a combination ticket together with the Salem Witch Museum and the New England Pirate Museum. Also, make sure to check out our personal favorite, The Gallows Hill Theater just across the street!

Jenneane Harvill

I have to admit, when I found out that this was a location of REPLICA dungeons I was disappointed. What a fabulous surprise. The tour guide was VERY knowledgeable and provided allot of REAL history. The dungeons were VERY well recreated. The actual tour wasnt long BUT the details in the dungeon were phenomenal. My 7 year old was frightened just enough to scare him but give him a giggle afterwards. The older lady at the register was not very friendly but not everyone loves their job. Gift shop is small with minimal selection. I wouldnt return because one visit covers it all but I do recommend you visit.

Trent 8274

I went here today and the acting was very good, and not too long to bore you. We were then brought downstairs and saw the dungeon. It was very cool to see the small compact replica spaces that the witches used to be confined in. There was a large crowd and in the dungeon it was just a big line so it felt very spacious. Very good stop and a very good price. I was looking for creepy in Salem, and this is where to go

A Private User

THE GUIDED TOUR UNDERGROUND IS COOL. THE TOUR GUIDE SAID SHE IS RELATED TO THE ONE MAN WHO WAS CRUSHED BENEATH STONES DURING THE WITCH TRIALS, SO THAT WAS NEAT. THE DUNGEON IS PRETTY COLD--WEAR A COAT-- AND IS PRETTY AMAZING TO WALK THROUGH. THE SHOW THAT IS PERFORMED BEFORE HAND, THOUGH, IS NOT REALLY NECESSARY... IT REALLY ISNT VERY GOOD AT ALL.