Salem Witch Museum.

Housed in a striking, gothic-style former church opposite Salem Common, the Salem Witch Museum eschews traditional glass cases and historical artifacts in favor of dramatic, theatrical storytelling. Since 1972, this local institution has introduced visitors to the hysteria of 1692 through a narrated presentation in a dark auditorium, utilizing life-size stage sets, eerie lighting, and voice actors to reconstruct the trials. A second exhibit, *Witches: Evolving Perceptions*, shifts the focus to the broader history of witchcraft, tracking how the archetype of the witch transitioned from mid-century paganism to the modern Wiccan, while tackling the dark history of societal scapegoating. It is an immersive, campy, and highly memorable primer best suited for first-time visitors.