Salem The Podcast

Salem. Salem? Salem! Salem… SALEM. We all know and love Salem (Massachusetts), and while we may be the most famous, we aren't the oldest, or the biggest, or the smallest. There’s so many other Salems out there. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem (Massachusetts) tour guides, as they learn a bit about all the other Salems out there. Do you know which states have a Salem? Follow along and ta...

It's that time of year again! We know so many of you love Salem, have found love in Salem, have gotten married here (or divorced here), found romance (or maybe lost it). Or perhaps you found a real love for yourself in our strange little harbor city. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides as they read tales of romance from YOU, our listeners. These are your Salem love stories!   ...

Is this the last episode on Danvers State? Only time will tell! In this final(?) installment, we'll talk about exploring abandoned buildings, fires, and what's happened to those buried on the property. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, for a chat about the downfall of this historic structure and what remains there today.  https://www.danversstatehospital.org/ https://history...

Let's wander deeper into the halls of Danvers State Hospital with part two of our three-part series. Things get a bit darker this week as the history takes a turn for the worse with lobotomies, electroshock therapy, and a distinct lack of funds. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, for a chat about how the facility took a turn for the worse. But was Danvers State really as bad...

It’s 2024 and WE ARE BACK!  Buckle up friends because we're heading just outside of modern-day Salem and over to Danvers (old Salem Village). Specifically, to Danvers State Hospital--once known as the State Lunatic Asylum at Danvers and now the Bradlee Danvers Apartments. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, for a chat about the land, the hospital, and its beautiful beginnings....

‘Tis the season! Or so we say... A season for celebrations and traditions, some of which date back thousands of years. Whether it's Christmas, Saturnalia, or Yule, all have ties to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and a sign of the sun's return. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they talk about Nordic gods, festivals of lights, Queen Victoria, and of cour...

Let's jump back into the Putnam Problem. After discussing the differences between Salem Village and Salem Town, both religious and social, and some of the Putnam ancestry, now we get to talk about their direct involvement in the trials. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite tour guides, as they talk about Thomas and his 120 court documents; Ann and her own afflictions; and of course Ann Jr., who m...

Welcome back to 1692. We're spending a couple weeks in Salem Village, with the Puritans who lived there. Specifically, the infamous Putnam family. Thomas Putnam Jr., Ann Sr., and Ann Jr. were responsible for more accusations of witchcraft than anyone else. It certainly seems like they had a bone to pick!   Interested in Salem The Podcast Merch!?  CLICK HERE! Interested in supporting the Podcast? L...

Our beloved Common is one of the many hearts and historic centers of Salem. From the first muster of what is now the National Guard over 350 years ago to the filming of Hocus Pocus just 30 years ago, this public space has been a central part of Salem's ever-evolving story since the city's founding. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, for a conversation about fences, musters, h...

This October, Salem had the pleasure of hosting four cast members from the original Hocus Pocus film, thirty years after it premiered. But how does one even go about bringing four high-profile individuals into Salem during its busiest season? Well, we've got the answer for you! It involved a lot of leg work, a lot of planning, and good old fashioned Salem community. Join Jeffrey and Sarah as they...

And that, friends, is another October in the books! That's thirty-one days of spooky scary skeletons done and gone, leaving behind them a trail of tiny witch hats, empty bags of candy corn, and the most staggering October numbers the city has ever seen. Join your favorite (and very tired) Salem tour guides as they chat about the adventures and misadventures of everyone's favorite season in the Wit...

Happy Halloween! And welcome to part two of our true crime series. Sarah’s taking the reins on this one and bringing us back to the 1930s, when Fire Captain William Costello was found dead in his Peabody home. His wife Jessie quickly became the prime suspect and the sensational murder trial to follow took place right here in downtown Salem.  Coverage of the Costello trial, The Boston Globe, Februa...

Come little children, let us take thee away! Do we have a special treat for you. The kids from your favorite Halloween movie were back in the Witch City, some for the first time in 30 years. The cast had a blast while they were here, from signing autographs on the Common, to a party at Bit Bar. AND we were privileged enough to lead them on a walking tour to all the filming locations. Join Jeffrey...

Ready for some true crime? It is history after all... We've got two cases for you! And with that, two episodes! Join your favorite Salem tour guides as they share with each other, and you, a true crime story each. Jeffrey's going first and covering the Boston Strangler - an infamous serial killer from Boston in the early 1960’s who is credited with 13 murders completed in the short span of 18 mont...

Well...it is October in Salem. And it's a wild one. We have seen so much out there on the streets that we’re bringing you some feedback and some tips and tricks. The traffic is insane and the lines wrap around buildings. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they bring you into the thick of it. We’ll talk about the parade, mayor's night out, and where you can escape from the...

It's October and the season is upon us! And what better way to start the Halloween season than with a fellow Salem tour guide. Tom is a staple of Salem's streets and runs the number-one-rated tour in the city: Satanic Salem Walking Tours. Join Sarah and Jeffrey as they sit down with Tom and talk about Satan, witchcraft, coffee, Puritans, and of course, the wild streets of Salem.  https://thesatani...

It's spooky season in the Witch City and we have a slew of Haunted Happenings for you. From parades and movie nights to concerts and costume balls, Salem comes alive during the fall season! But where did it all come from? Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite tour guides as they dive into the history of Salem's month-long October celebration: Haunted Happenings. We’ll talk pumpkin hot air balloons...

There was just one person accused of witchcraft from Marblehead, the small ocean town that rests just to the southeast of Salem. Her name was Wilmot Redd. Unfortunately very little is known about her and much of her life remains a mystery, but that won't stop us! Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides as they talk about what little we do know which includes some accusations, spoil...

Clue. Sorry. Ping-Ping. Nerf. Rook. Ouija. And Monopoly! These are just a few of the classic games produced by the Parker Brothers right here in Salem during their 100+ year history. The company was founded by Salem native George Swinnerton Parker, who was later joined by his brothers, Charles and Edward. Join Jeffrey and Sarah as they talk about the game company that dominated the market for most...

The Peabody Essex Museum is the custodian of many artifacts and documents from the Salem Witch Trials. AND, they have a new exhibit! So you know we had to go and check it out. Join your favorite Salem tour guides to hear an overview and review of Restoring Justice. We’ll chat about some things we loved, some things we hated, and why it is so important to continue having these discussions.   Intere...

The streets of Salem are infamous; Essex, Derby, Washington, Hawthorne, Lafayette. They all have their charm, but none compare to Chestnut Street -- the oldest planned street in America, and often described as one of the most beautiful streets in the country. Join your favorite Salem tour guides for a stroll down Chestnut, past stunning Federalist architecture, stolen houses, forgotten churches, a...

On August 19th 1692, five more innocent victims were hanged in Salem for the crime of "Sundry Acts of Witchcraft." One of them was John Willard, former Constable of Salem. Having had a change of heart, he was now a target and on the run. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they talk about family rivalries, kidney infections, fisher cats, and that meddlesome Ann Putnam Jr (a...

Have you ever sailed the waters of Salem aboard a replica of a nineteenth-century privateer vessel? If you haven't, you're missing out! In this episode, we are joined by Capt. Mike Rutstein of The Fame. ON The Fame. We’ll chat about where his inspiration came from, the War of 1812, privateering, and of course, sharks! https://schoonerfame.com/   Interested in Salem The Podcast Merch!?  CLICK HERE!...

How did we overlook this gem of Salem pop culture?! Mass Hysteria is a fun indie film set in Salem on Halloween night. Young historical reenactors find themselves at the center of a real-life witch hunt after a tourist mysteriously dies during a mock witch trial. So grab your popcorn and go watch this flick! Happy Spooky Season!   Watch Mass Hysteria for FREE on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/668...