The Burying Point — Attraction in Salem

I'm a Salem resident and I am on a mission to tour all the local attractions AND historical sites.

About this one: The Old Burying Point (Charter Street Cemetery) is the oldest colonial graveyard in Salem and one of the oldest in the United States. It is open to the public (you should check their website for opening hours) but you can only walk on the established paths.

Contrary to popular belief, no witches were buried here. Still, this cemetery is extremely relevant first of all because of the impressive range of 1600s/1700s/1800s original headstones, many still readable, and because several notable people were buried here. In particular: Salem Witch Trial's judge John Hathorne (great-great-grandfather of Nathaniel Hawthorne), Mayflower's passenger Richard More, Samuel McIntire, considered one of the first architects of the country - and many others.

I recommend to walk first to the far-right of the cemetery to have a look at the map of the graveyard so you can locate the relevant headstones. The map faces the "outside" of the cemetery (I guess it is located facing the original entrance of it) so you might not note it at first when using the current entrance (which is next to the Witch Trials Memorial on a pedestrian street). The map is "behind" a taller, rectangular stone. Locating the headstones is important for a meaningful walk through the cemetery. Still, even with the use of the map, not all stones are easy to find.

The Charter Street Cemetery is one of the most visited spots in Salem - also because of its location just next to the Witch Trials Memorial - so be aware that it gets very very busy in October. During tourist season, you should check their website as you might have to get a "ticket" in advance to get in (entrance is always free).

PROs This is a relevant historical site where both stones and landscape are very well maintained and picturesque. It's free. Pictures are allowed.

CONs I can't stress this enough: this place...

Thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Charter Street Cemetery and Memorial. The headstones and monuments are all unique and tell the stories of the people who lived and died in Salem over the centuries. From captains and wealthy merchants to regular citizens and victims of the famous witch trials, you can find all kinds of stories here. More than 300 years ago, it was a felony to practice witchcraft in the American colonies, defined by English law as acting with magical powers bestowed by the Devil. But it wasn’t until legal failings, mass paranoia, and Puritan religious and societal rules converged against a backdrop of economic and political uncertainty that the most horrifying witch-hunt against innocent people occurred in Colonial Massachusetts. During the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, more than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft. Twenty of those people were executed, most by hanging. One man was pressed to death under heavy stones, the only such state-sanctioned execution of its kind. Dozens suffered under inhumane conditions as they waited in jail for months without trials; many of the imprisoned were also tortured, and at least one died in jail before the hysteria...

"The Burying Point" in Salem, Massachusetts is one of the oldest cemeteries in the United States, dating back to the late 17th century. This historical site holds a significant place in American history due to its connection to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

Visitors often describe feeling overwhelmed by the sense of history and mystery that pervades this cemetery. The atmosphere is eerie and thought-provoking, with the weathered tombstones, many of which belong to notable figures from the past. The site's somber ambiance, with its weathered gravestones and crypts, adds to its appeal.

Tourists often find it a solemn and thought-provoking experience, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and those intrigued by the Salem Witch Trials. The Burying Point offers a unique opportunity to connect with the past and reflect on the events that transpired during that turbulent period in...