Salem Witch Museum — Attraction in Salem

Not really sure that this can be called a museum, but ok whatever, some people probably love it. It's more of a short disappointing ride at an amusement park that needs to reconstructed (completely) or discontinued.

The young people who run the place were bossy and rude, and untrained. It is a tourist trap, designed to generate revenue (from the overall looks of it to me.) It is not really designed to inform or educate as a true museum would, it is all about sensationalizing a horrible fact of history, and plunging the crowd into the gift shop at the end (in my honest opinion.)

The central focus of the museum, ( a Pirates of the Caribbean style theater show) with wax figures on display, depicting scenes of the obviously societal bias: accusations, trials, and jail scenes. With lighting effects and a recorded LOUD dramatical narrative that was literally blasted out of loud speakers (annoyingly loud.)

It was somewhat interesting and informative (for me because I have never researched these facts of history) (or any New England demographic History yet. ) But seriously, this horrific excuse of a museum lacks historical attention to the grave injustice and overall tragedy of those times and events. This "museum" is a privately owned enterprise for profit. It was not worth the money or the time and definitely not worth it for the trickery of a cattle call circus show. And it was a scheduled cattle call from the curb.

I was actually insulted that those poor people who were hung for apparently no reason, are being EXPLOITED here in what was once a church, to make matters worse. To draw crowds that will ultimately be thrust into a diverse gift shop for peeping wizards. It seems to be all about the money and the sensationalizing of witchery which is equally just as insulting. Barely more than a carnival show over-all. It is not even done well. The posters and displays are half baked and confusing. There is no sign on the front of the building depicting the process or form of the activity, just some inexperienced kids rounding up the victims for the cattle call.

Salem should do a bonafide museum that includes the witch trials accurately and with DUE respect to the lives that were destroyed. However, it should circumference the conventions and lifestyles of those times in this part of New England, which is deeply interesting as a collective. The witch TRIALS museum could be a real part of a real museum, especially if it was done by peer reviewed curation. There is a lot missing here and the story is not told with justice or cultural accuracy. And a building should be built to support the purpose of the corrected theme and process, with plenty of space to make real displays that are useful and accurate. There should also be a compartmentalized separation from historical and sensational interests, and the absolutely beautiful church building should be restored to a church, and declared a museum for its true history and...

Honestly didn't know what to expect with this, but was excited to visit. The building itself is really cool looking on the outside. We were walk ins and getting tickets was a breeze and the staff was super nice.

But if im being honest, its not really a museum (which to be fair is used pretty loosely in Salem) but more of an attraction.

I was expecting something like a curated exhibit about the witch trials with some objects from the period and maybe wrap it up with how witches are portrayed in modern times.

You don't really get that...its more like an old wax museum or carnival type of theater in the round with wax figure dioramas lit up while a very dramatic narrator tells a story about the 1600s witch hysteria. Its kind of cool in a way, but felt more like a 70s horror movie than an exhibit. Granted, the narrator sounded awesome and the devil figure was pretty scary. But there were families with kids who seemed like they were not ready for all that. This presentation felt like it went on for 25mins?

Then you get broken up into two groups since they need to load in the next group for the show but the next room is so small one half goes in while the other half hangs out in the gift shop.

The other part of the museum was more intresting, and a staff member talks about a few of the items (more wax figures, including "modern" witches and some items from the time period. There was also a long timeline wall that added things like modern wars, the communism scare, 9-11 etc which kind of muddled readability of the witch trial time line and was confusing to be honest. I think the museum was trying to make a point about fear and scapegoating, but the staff member read it so fast (to get ahead of the next group coming out of the wax show) you couldnt really get the point. Plus it was so crowded you could barely read/look at anything. They said you could walk around on your own but the items on display could use more context. Then your back in the gift shop a 2nd time.

The gift shop also had posters of films that were shot there which I found really intresting but nobody mentioned it.

My son made a joke about if the skittles and soda for sale were what witches ate back then. Nice.

Overall, if your into waxwork, or old gothic horror attractions this could be your jam. Its got some school theatric vibes and bet at some point the show was state of the art. Granted, I should have done some research, but to me it was a hokey rushed lecture and I felt like I got taken.

If your looking for an educational experience, save your money and do a local tour and visit the cemetary down the street for a more...

We visited the Salem Witch Museum 21 years ago when it was an actual museum. It was fascinating. Full of artifacts from the time period and lots of placards telling the rich history about the people and events of the Salem Witch Trials. We spent several hours perusing the galleries of the old church building admiring the beauty of the church itself and learning about the tragic events of the Salem Witch Trials. We were excited to bring our 17 and 20 year old sons to Salem to experience the museum, as they are both history buffs. I should have taken time to read reviews. Had I done that, I would have realized that this is not the same museum we visited 21 years ago. They have taken this museum and ruined what it once was. Sadly, the interior of the church has all been closed off into three sections. The dark auditorium is reserved for their "educational" presentation. You sit down and look at alcoves above you with mannequins set up in a series of events to tell the story. A pre-recorded narration plays and you follow the spotlight around the room to watch the story unfold. The presentation lasted about 20 minutes. While the narrative itself is educational for those who know nothing about the historical events, the still mannequin scenes are poorly done. The second room on your tour has a small display of cheesy artifacts, more mannequins and a narration of current day fear propaganda- none of which has much to do with the actual history. I'm not sure what they did with the contents of the original museum, but we didn't see any of it here. So sad! They rushed you through this in about 10 minutes, not that you need or would want to stay longer. The last stop was a large gift shop and book store, it was as large as the second stop of the "museum". It is capitalizing on all things witch, warlock, witchcraft and magic related. Honestly, what does Harry Potter or Hocus Pocus have to do with the Salem Witch Trials?? My husband and I were very disappointed and so were our boys, as we had really hyped up our original experience. They don't allow photography, and I can see why. If people posted photos of what's actually inside, I think many would choose not go. I know we wouldn't have. The best part of this museum was waiting outside for your group's time to go in. If you want to learn about the Salem Witch Trials, you are better off reading a book or watching a documentary. Don't waste your money here. Such a disappointing...