The Salem witch trials were a dark and troubled time in American history. From 1692 to 1693, this small town in Massachusetts was gripped by mass hysteria and fear, resulting in the wrongful accusation, arrest, and execution of numerous innocent people believed to be practicing witchcraft. It was a time of great paranoia and suspicion, where mere accusations were enough to condemn a person to death. Today, the Salem Witch Trials serve as a haunting reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of unchecked authority. In order to pay tribute to the victims of this tragic event, the Salem witch memorial was erected in 1992. Located in Salem, Massachusetts, the memorial is a solemn and contemplative space that allows visitors to reflect on the lives lost during the witch trials.

New Memorial Remembers Victims Hanged At Proctor's Ledge During Salem Witch Trials

Proctor’s Ledge was identified last year as an execution site for those convicted during the Salem witch trials in 1692. On Wednesday, a new memorial at the site was dedicated in honor of those killed. (Stephan Savoia/AP)

Residents of Salem gathered Wednesday to mark a shameful chapter of American history and remember the 19 men and women who were accused and convicted of being witches in 1692.

The city dedicated a new memorial at Proctor's Ledge, the exact spot where 325 years ago today five women were hanged for witchcraft.

Area residents attend a memorial dedication at Proctor's Ledge in Salem Wednesday.(Stephan Savoia/AP)

Salem residents and descendants of people put to death gathered in chairs abutting the new memorial for the dedication ceremony. The memorial is a freshly landscaped crescent-shaped plot with plantings, mulch and a swoop of granite wall. Chunky, gray blocks are etched with the names of the victims and the dates they were killed.

The Rev. Jeffrey Barz-Snell, of the First Church in Salem, welcomed the crowd.

"We should not be here today,” he said firmly. "We should not be here dedicating this memorial and setting aside this small patch of rocky earth. We should not be here commemorating the heartbreaking and tragic loss of life, people who were falsely and unjustly accused of being in the snare of the devil.”

Barz-Snell added that in 1692, Rebecca Nurse, who was one of five killed at Proctor’s Ledge on a hot, July afternoon like today, was a member of his congregation. Barz-Snell said his predecessor, the Rev. Nicholas Noyes, helped fan the flames of hysteria that engulfed Salem.

“We would like to think that we've learned from the evil and traumatic choices made 325 years ago. We would like to think we've become better people," Barz-Snell said. "The truth is the lessons of Salem are not just learned once, but must be learned and relearned by each generation.”

Among the descendants was Gail Garda, president of the Towne Family Association and a relative of Rebecca Nurse. Towne was Nurse’s maiden name.

Rebecca Nurse was one of five women hanged as witches 325 years ago today at Proctor's Ledge during the Salem witch trials. (Stephan Savoia/AP)

Garda asked the crowd to imagine how hard it was for the settlers who emigrated from England to Massachusetts, searching for a better life and religious freedom.

“Who could've ever imagined amidst all the other fears they were facing at the time — Indian attacks, invasion of the French, health epidemics — that over a brief period of months, from February to September, that these 19 innocent people would be convicted of witchcraft and brought here to Proctor's Ledge to be hanged," she said. "As far as we can tell from all the records, the accused were just ordinary people, no different than any of us here today.”

Others drew parallels to society today, including Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll.

“Proctor’s Ledge is a place, an object, but it is also an idea and it’s also a memory," Driscoll said. "The legacy of what transpired here crosses into the imaginations and consciousness of our community, our commonwealth and even our country.”

City Councillor David Eppley evoked the names of neighborhoods in Salem -- Witchcraft Heights and Gallows Hill -- as he shared how impossible it was to offer apologies to the affected families and descendants.

“The only way I know that Salem and its political leaders can atone for such heinous acts is to continue to serve as a story of warning for the rest of the nation and this world on what could ultimately happen when you turn your neighbor into 'the other.'"

Karla Hailer, a fifth grade teacher from Situate, makes a video of the Proctor's Ledge memorial. (Stephan Savoia/AP)

Proctor’s Ledge was identified as an execution site in January 2016 by a team of researchers that included Salem State University professor Emerson "Tad" Baker.

“It’s my sincere hope that today marks a new chapter in how Salem treats the witch trials,” the historian said from the stage. “We became the 'Witch City' in 1892 on the bicentennial of the trials. While done largely for commercial reasons, I see the moniker as Salem’s self-imposed Scarlet Letter. After all, the term ‘witch hunt’ is synonymous with Salem and stands as a symbol of persecution, fanaticism, injustice and rushing to judgement.”

Baker added that with that title comes responsibilities.

“So from this time forward I hope that residents and visitors to Salem will treat the tragic events of 1692 with more of the respect they are due," he said. "We need less celebration in October and more commemoration and sober reflection throughout the year.”

Rev. Barz-Snell concluded the dedication ceremony with a "prayer of committal" — usually evoked at funerals to aid the victims to a peaceful, eternal rest.

The Proctor's Ledge memorial is meant to be a place of quiet reflection. It’s situated in a residential area, just a block from a Walgreens. It isn't the first witch trial memorial in Salem — another was unveiled in 1992 to mark the 300th anniversary of the hangings. Even so, some say this new one has been a long time coming.

Listen to the story here:

Andrea Shea Correspondent, Arts & Culture
Andrea Shea is a correspondent for WBUR's arts & culture reporter.

Proctor's Ledge Witch Trials Memorial

The Gallows Hill Project announced in January of 2016 that they had positively identified the place where the accused witches were hung in the Salem Witch Hysteria of 1692. The city is planning to construct a memorial to the victims at this site called "Proctor's Ledge" near Pope and Proctor Streets, behind the Walgreens store on Boston Street.

The city plans to have the memorial finished for the 325th anniversary of the witch trials which is in 2017.

The memorial was funded by a community grant and donations from some of the descendants of Salem's "witches." It incorporates a granite wall and memorial stones with the innocents' names set in a semicircle around a single oak tree. It will be dedicated on July 19th, 2017, the 325th anniversary of the first hangings.

The city had a plan to build a memorial at Gallows Hill in 1936, when land was purchased on Proctor Street. It did not go forward, however, as there was some confusion as to the exact location of the hangings and some councilors thought it was a "stain" on Salem's history and the city should not be proud of it.

Andover Bewitched: Commemorating the Trials

How do we remember difficult times? What monuments can we make to remember those lost during the witch trials? In today’s entry of “Andover Bewitched,” I will tell you about three monuments in Salem and Danvers, Massachusetts which memorialize the trials. You can visit these sites today — find addresses and information about visiting below!

Each of these memorials name the people from Andover who were executed during the trials: Samuel Wardwell, Martha Carrier, and Mary Parker, among the other victims of the trials. While Martha and Samuel lived in present-day Andover, Mary Parker lived in present-day North Andover. Ann Foster, also of Andover, died while in prison in December 1692.

Located in Salem, Massachusetts, the memorial is a solemn and contemplative space that allows visitors to reflect on the lives lost during the witch trials. One of the most striking features of the memorial is the inclusion of names. Surrounding a central stone bench are 20 granite benches, each inscribed with the name of one of the victims.

The Salem Witch Trials Memorial

In 1992, on the 300th anniversary of the trials, the city of Salem moved to create a memorial dedicated to the twenty people executed, including the 19 people hanged, and Giles Corey, who was pressed to death.

When you enter the memorial, you will see twenty stone benches, each inscribed with a name and execution date. Visitors often leave flowers and small notes on these benches. Inscribed around the memorial are phrases drawn from the court documents detailing what the accused said to defend themselves. 1

We do not know where many of those who were condemned to die for the crime of witchcraft were buried. Those accused were believed to be acting against God, so they were not offered proper burials. Instead, families had to sneak out in the middle of the night to bury their loved ones in secret. Because of this, the memorial serves as a marker for those graves we may never find.

The Salem Witch Trials Tercentenary Committee began searching for a team to create the memorial in 1986. After a large international design competition, James Cutler and Maggie Smith’s design won out. The memorial was dedicated in August 1992 by Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel. 2

Today, you can visit this memorial and the Old Burying Point in Downtown Salem. 3

These names serve as a powerful reminder of the individual lives and stories that were lost during this dark period. By including the names of the victims, the memorial seeks to humanize and honor those who suffered as a result of the Salem witch trials. The memorial names span a wide range of ages and backgrounds. From Sarah Good, a homeless beggar, to John Proctor, a successful farmer, the victims of the Salem witch trials came from all walks of life. Some were accused and executed, while others died in jail while awaiting trial. Regardless of their fate, each victim has a name and a story that is deserving of remembrance. In addition to the names of the victims, the memorial also includes a wall which features quotations from the trials, as well as a pathway that winds through the site. These elements further contribute to the overall somber and reflective atmosphere of the memorial, providing visitors with a way to engage with the history and contemplate the impact it has had on society. The Salem witch memorial names stand as a lasting tribute to the victims of the witch trials, and a reminder of the importance of justice, fairness, and compassion in the face of suspicion and fear. By honoring the individual lives lost, the memorial ensures that the victims are not forgotten, and their stories continue to serve as a powerful testament to the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of unchecked authority..

Reviews for "Honoring the Innocent: The Names at the Salem Witch Memorial"

1. John - 2/5 - While the concept of the Salem Witch Memorial Names is intriguing, I found it to be lacking in execution. The names etched on the memorial were difficult to read and appeared faded. Additionally, the memorial was quite small and unimpressive in person. I was hoping for a more impactful and visually striking tribute to the victims of the Salem witch trials. Overall, I left feeling underwhelmed and disappointed.

2. Sarah - 3/5 - As a history enthusiast, I was excited to visit the Salem Witch Memorial Names. However, I was slightly let down by the lack of information or context provided about the individuals whose names were inscribed. It would have been beneficial to have more details about the victims, their stories, and the events surrounding the witch trials. Without this additional information, the memorial seemed incomplete and failed to truly honor the victims' legacies. While the concept is commendable, the lack of informative plaques or displays left me somewhat dissatisfied.

3. Emily - 2/5 - I had high expectations for the Salem Witch Memorial Names, but unfortunately, they fell short of my hopes. The memorial felt neglected and in need of maintenance. Many of the plaques were crooked or damaged, and it detracted from the overall impact of the memorial. Additionally, the surrounding area was quite noisy and crowded, making it difficult to reflect on the significance of the names. It was a disappointing experience overall, and I would have appreciated a more well-maintained and serene environment for remembrance.

Adding to the Story: Uncovering New Names for the Salem Witch Memorial

The Ripple Effect: Examining the Aftermath of the Salem Witch Trials through the Memorials Names

Celebrating Survival: The Courageous Stories behind the Salem Witch Memorial Names