Salem Must See Memorials, Statues and Cemeteries
Salem’s must-see memorials, statues, and cemeteries offer a unique glimpse into the city’s history and culture. The Salem Witch Trials Memorial and Proctor’s Ledge Memorial provide a quiet space for reflection, while the Bewitched Statue adds a fun tribute to the famous 1960s TV show. The Roger Conant Statue, honoring Salem’s founder, stands proudly near Salem Common. For history enthusiasts, the Old Burying Point Cemetery is one of the oldest in the country, and Howard Street Cemetery is known for its centuries-old gravestones. These landmarks highlight both Salem’s colonial roots and its place in pop culture.
Witch Trial Memorial
This memorial is dedicated to the 20 innocent victims of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Surrounded by three granite walls, you will see the victims’ protest inscribed on the threshold as you enter the memorial. The six locus trees in the middle of the memorial represent the injustice of the trials, as they are the last to flower and the first to lose their leaves every year. Along the stone wall are 20 benches with the names and execution dates of each of the 20 victims.
Proctors Ledge Memorial
This memorial is dedicated to the nineteen victims hanged during the 1692 Salem Witch trials. It sits at the base of Proctor’s Ledge. The location where the executions took place.
The memorial consists of a stone wall with 19 markers bearing the names and dates of their executions. In the center is an Oak tree, which symbolizes endurance and dignity.
Statues
Roger Conant Statue
Though this statue is in front of the Witch Museum, it has nothing to do with the Salem Witch Trials. The statue is of Roger Conant, who founded Salem in 1626.
Conant, his wife, and their first son immigrated to the Plymouth Colony in 1623 aboard the ship “Ann” from England. Finding the strict Puritan way of life uncomfortable, he moved his family to Neumkeag. They lived there for a year, then moved to a fishing settlement in Cape Ann, where he became Governor. After a year, the Colony failed, and many returned to England. Conant moved with the remaining colonist to a nearby area called Neumkeag in the fall of 1626. Their new home would later be called Salem. He passed away on November 19, 1679, at 87.
Bewitched Sculpture
This sculpture was donated by TV Land in 2005 and is of Elizabeth Montgomery.
Nathaniel Hawthorne Statue
Installed in 1925, this statue depicts Hawthorne sitting on a moss-covered rock with a tree stump behind him. Hawthorne is considered the first great romantic novelist of America. He wrote several novels while staying in Salem. Two of those novels were The House of Seven Gables and The Scarlet Letter.
Cemeteries
The Old Burial Point Cemetery
This cemetery was established in 1637 and is one of the oldest in the US. Several people with ties to the Salem Witch Trials are buried here.
Judge John Hathorne and Bartholomew Gedney. Reverend Nicholas Noyes was the assistant minister during the witch trials. Samuel Shattuck Jr. claimed to have been bewitched by Bridget Bishop and gave testimony against her. You will also find the second wife of Giles Corey and other notable Salem residents.
Broad Street Cemetery
This is the second oldest cemetery in Salem. Established in 1655, you will find the graves of Judge Jonathan Corwin and Sheriff George Corwin here.
St. Peter's Church Cemetery
Located at 24 St. Peter Street
The Land this Church was built on was donated by Philip English. English was the wealthiest Merchant in Salem and was accused of witchcraft during the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. He was of Anglican faith, and his first language was French. He avoided paying his fair share of taxes, was quick to sue, and represented a more cosmopolitan lifestyle. Needless to say, his Puritan neighbors did not like him. English and his wife escaped to New York with the help of two Boston reverends. When he returned in 1693, he found his belongings had been confiscated by Sheriff Corwin. He died in 1736 at the age of 85, and he is buried in the Church Yard.
Howard Street Cemetery
Located at 29 Howard Street next to the Old Salem Jail
Before there was a cemetery here, it was an open field. On September 19, 1692, Giles Corey was believed to have been pressed to death at this location. In 1801 the cemetery was established, and the oldest stone is that of Second Mate Benjamin Ropes. He was crushed to death while launching the fore-topmast of the ship Belisarius. It is also the resting place of several Revolutionary War soldiers.
History and Ghost Walking Tours
Exploring Salem’s historical landmarks with 1692 Before and After offers a deep dive into the events surrounding the witch trials, visiting sites like the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and Old Burying Point Cemetery while unraveling the town’s complex history. For those intrigued by Salem’s darker side, the Black Cat Tour or Witch City’s History and Hauntings Tour delves into the legends and eerie lore of its sinister past, bringing tales of ghosts, witchcraft, and mystery to life as you visit key locations tied to the city’s haunted reputation.
1692 Salem Tour
1692 Before and After LLC
Our 1692 Salem tours are designed to provoke thought, stir emotions, and inspire a deeper appreciation for Salem’s rich and complex history. Join us as we step back in time to uncover the stories that lie at the heart of Witch City. Discover the city’s haunting history, its tales of adversity and resilience, and the indelible marks they’ve left on the present. Our 1692 Salem Tour is your gateway to a past that is both profound and poignant, a journey that promises to be as enlightening as it is unforgettable.
Black Cat Ghostly Night Tour in Salem
Black Cat Tours
Travelers who aren’t afraid of a good spooky tale or spine-chilling experience will love this 75-minute guided evening tour of Salem. Learn all about Salem’s spooky history as you visit haunted sites, former crime scenes, and places that inspired ghost stories and literature. Your guide will keep you entertained as you walk the city at night, looking over your shoulder and jumping at your shadow along the way.
Mysteries and Murders of Salem Guided Night-Time Walking Tour
Witch City Tours
This murder and mystery walking tour of Salem is a great option for travelers who want a break from hearing exclusively about the history of the Salem witch trials. Mix things up by listening to tales of grisly murders and sinister ghost sightings as your guide leads you to the spookiest sights in Salem. This tour is suitable for young adults and adults. Not suitable for small children.