In Salem, Massachusetts, there stands a memorial that pays tribute to the victims of the notorious Salem witch trials of 1692. The Witch Memorial, also known as the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, is a somber reminder of the dark events that unfolded in the colonial town over three centuries ago. The memorial is located in the heart of Salem, adjacent to the Charter Street Cemetery, where some of the accused witches were buried. It was designed by architect Bryan P. White and artist Maggie Smith in 1992 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the witch trials. The design of the memorial is simple yet powerful.
To Buford's knowledge, the only team that has a troll for a mascot is Trinity Christian College, an NAIA school in Illinois.
We talk about the kraken as living in the theater of the mind, said Katie Townsend, the Kraken s senior vice president of marketing and communications. Leading up to the reveal, the Kraken released a video of three children video chatting with local Seattle sports players such as Paul Sewald of the Mariners and Breanna Stewart of the Storm about what the team s mascot should be.
The design of the memorial is simple yet powerful. It consists of a semicircular stone wall with granite benches placed in front. The wall is inscribed with the names of the nineteen innocent victims who were executed during the witch trials.
What is the Kraken's mascot? Explaining the meaning behind 'Buoy' the sea-troll
Step aside, Gritty. There's a new, irregular mascot on the NHL scene.
Ahead of the 2022-23 season, the Kraken introduced their first mascot in team history. May we present to you, Buoy the sea-troll.
The mascot pays tribute to the Fremont Troll, a well-known art structure located underneath the Fremont Bridge in Seattle.
Oh Buoy, this is going to be good! 😉
According to Lamont Buford, the Kraken's vice president of entertainment experience and production, the team received hundreds of ideas for the mascot, but eventually decided on Buoy.
"We looked at all the characters in this area, and we wanted to make sure that what we brought was going to be unique," Buford told ESPN's Ryan S. Clark. We didn't want to be like anybody else. When you look at a lot of mascots in sports, you can tell which mascots that were generated from looking at another mascot. We wanted to make sure we avoided that."
Seattle had options on the table, but also ruled out a few. The team did not want to use an octopus as the Red Wings currently have Al the Octopus as its mascot. The club also did not want to use a kraken as the mascot because no one is actually sure what it looks like.
"We talk about the kraken as living in the theater of the mind," said Katie Townsend, the Kraken's senior vice president of marketing and communications. "It's a mysterious beast. We don't want to be a cartoon brand which is why we have not revealed the full kraken. It was a fairly obvious choice that we would not go with a kraken, but would do a deep dive led by Lamont and team to examine what is the right mascot for the city, for the fans and for the brand."
Buoy is getting his first taste of playoff action. After an underwhelming inaugural season, Seattle turned things around in its second year in the league and made the postseason for the first time in club history.
Here is more information on Buoy the mascot and the meaning behind him.
Each bench represents one of the victims and bears a quote from their trial transcript, reminding visitors of the injustice and hysteria that led to their deaths. A central path divides the memorial, symbolizing the division between the accused and their accusers. The path is made of cobblestones, representing the difficult and rocky path to justice. At the end of the path is a granite memorial stone with a poem by poet Elizabeth Reis etched on its surface. The poem serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of the witch trials and the importance of remembering their victims. The Witch Memorial serves as a place of reflection and remembrance. Visitors are invited to sit on the benches, read the names and quotes, and pay tribute to those whose lives were unjustly taken. The somber atmosphere of the memorial encourages contemplation on the consequences of unchecked fear and the dangers of mass hysteria. In addition to the memorial, Salem has several other attractions related to the witch trials, including the Salem Witch Museum and the Witch House. Together, these sites provide a comprehensive understanding of the events that took place in the town centuries ago, and the lasting legacy they left behind. The Witch Memorial in Salem, Massachusetts, is a poignant reminder of the dark history of the witch trials. It stands as a testament to the importance of justice, tolerance, and the ongoing fight against prejudice and fear. As visitors explore the memorial and learn about the events that unfolded in Salem, they are reminded of the dangers of allowing hysteria and unfounded accusations to dictate the course of justice. The Witch Memorial serves as a solemn tribute to the victims of the witch trials and an enduring symbol of the need for vigilance in protecting the rights and lives of all individuals..
Reviews for "Finding Solace at the Witch Trials Memorial in Salem, MA"
- Susan Johnson - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with my visit to the Witch Memorial in Salem. The whole experience felt tacky and commercialized. The memorial itself is just a small stone with the names of the victims, which is underwhelming considering the historical significance of the witch trials. The surrounding area is filled with souvenir shops and tourist traps, which really detracts from the solemnity of the place. I wish there was more effort put into preserving the history and honoring the victims rather than exploiting it for profit.
- Michael Thompson - 1 star - I had high expectations for the Witch Memorial in Salem, but it turned out to be a major letdown. The memorial is poorly maintained and lacks any informative plaques or displays to provide context and educate visitors. It feels like a missed opportunity to learn about the tragic events that took place during the witch trials. Additionally, the area surrounding the memorial is filled with cheesy attractions and gift shops, which cheapens the experience. I was hoping for a more respectful and educational visit, but unfortunately, the Witch Memorial did not deliver.
- Emily Davis - 2 stars - I found the Witch Memorial in Salem to be quite underwhelming. The memorial itself is just a small stone, and there isn't much else to see or do in the area. The lack of interpretive signage or educational materials made it difficult to fully grasp the significance of the site. I understand that the witch trials are a dark part of history, but I believe there could have been more effort put into creating a meaningful and informative experience for visitors. Overall, I left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied with my visit to the Witch Memorial.