While visiting my dear friend Di in Boston, we took a day trip out to Salem, MA. We were lured by the promise of a witch museum, and in general, just visiting a rather freaky site in American history.
We were not awestruck with the Salem Witch Museum. First, you have to consider what constitutes a museum. The SWM is a series of mannequins in dioramas - they are not animatronic, but they do get illuminated in various scenes as the audio track describes the scene. The script is pretty anti-woman (see female hysteria / wandering uterus backstory
here) and discusses the "noble, strong" Giles Corry who was victimized by the hysterical musings of teenage girls.
After the mannequin-light show, we entered a room that purported to discuss evolving perceptions of witchcraft, with Celtic healing women, the Wizard-of-Oz "I'll get you my pretty & your little dog too" witch, and finally a Wiccan couple who exhorted us to "look beyond the stereotype."
My friends were horrified as this was such a trite and moralistic treatment of witchcraft. I thought it was hilarious.
Salem Witch Museum, Washington Sq North, Salem, MA
http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/
We paid $8/adult for this pleasure.
**Update: Diane has kindly reminded me that the soundtrack for the museum's show was pornographic at best. What's pornographic? Hey, you'll know it when you hear it.
After our experience, we went to Gulu Gulu Cafe for some coffee, conversation, and dessert. The menu was great, including crepes, microbrews, and cheese plates. Their White Cloud latte was delicious!
Gulu Gulu Cafe, 247 Essex St, Salem, MA
http://www.gulu-gulu.com/
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