We invite you to listen to tales of some very strange characters as you explore one of Beverly's oldest houses. Take a guided tour by candlelight of Hale Farm, established in Beverly in 1694, and hear stories of the folks that lived in the area and the farm's connection to the witch hysteria of Salem. […]
RESCHEDULED. Join author Dr. Emerson Baker of Salem State University for a lively discussion about his book A Storm of Witchcraft, The Salem Trials and the American Experience. Learn about Hale Farm's connection to the Salem Witch Trials and the complexities of this dark period of history. All books are available on amazon.com or at your […]
Sweet little old lady? Think again! Looks can be deceiving. Beverly’s long history is chock full of women who stole from the clergy, sat on their neighbors in church, cleverly confessed to practicing witchcraft to escape the gallows, and evicted a sitting United States president. When you think of a witch, what kind of person do […]
In 1690, two years before the Salem Witch Trials, David Balch accused Dorcas Hoar of being a witch and afflicting him in this very room. Did this incident all but guarantee Dorcas would be found guilty of witchcraft in 1692? Come and decide for yourself. Free with admission
Join us for an evening with historian and archivist Richard Hite as he discusses his new book In the Shadow of Salem:The Andover Witch Hunt of 1692. Hite's book explores the towns that were impacted by the witchcraft crisis but have been overlooked. $10/free for members
This is now an online program! When you think of a witch, what kind of person do you imagine? Do you picture a wrinkled old woman with a wart on her crooked nose stirring a cauldron bubbling and boiling with trouble? This may be the image of a witch that Hollywood has conjured up, but […]
Beverly’s oldest burial ground is rich with history. This walking tour will discuss how the cemetery got its start, the evolution in its landscape, highlight some of the notable burials found within its grounds, including John Hale and his family, and explore the deterioration of some of the stones and how we can help preserve […]
In 1690, David Balch accused Dorcas Hoar of being a witch. Tune in to find out if this incident was a factor in Dorcas being found guilty during the witchcraft trials of 1692. Get the inside story on objects, historical events, and our historic houses with these individual Spotlight Tours and Historic House Spotlights. These […]