Episode
42: Witches, Curses, and Underground Tunnels. Salem Maritime National Historic Site
59:36
Published: Sun Oct 31 2021
Description
Happy Halloween! It is officially the spookiest day of the year, but it is also the end of spooky season. We could not finish off Spooky season without traveling to the iconic town of Salem Massachusetts. Salem is famously home to the witch hysteria of the late 1600's but there is a lot more history to this New England town. Join us as we dive into the history of how Halloween started, the witch trials, and the lengthy history of the Maritime Salem Historic Site. A site that now preserves over 600 years of global trading and a history of underground tunnels that still lie beneath the town today. We dive deep into the illegal activities that took place here, the old brothels, and haunted souls that never left them. This is Salem Massachusetts being looked at in a way you just may have never seen before. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon to gain access to ad-free episode, bonus content and more. Follow our socials Instagram, Facebook , and Twitter. To share a Trail Tale, suggest a story, access merch and browse our book recommendations - head over to our website. Sources: Massachusetts: Mercy Tavern (spookeats.com) The Ghosts of Salem Tour | Salem Family Friendly Ghost Tour (ghostcitytours.com) The History of Trick-or-Treating - HISTORY MERCH! National Park After Dark (national-park-after-dark.myshopify.com) Thank you so much to our partners, check them out! BetterHelp: Take charge of your mental health. NPAD listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/NPAD Storyworth: Give a thoughtful personal gift that will preserve memories for years to come. Get $10 off your first purchase at storyworth.com/NPAD TodayTix: See the show that you have always wanted to see and find the best prices! Get $10 off your first ticket purchase at TodayTix.com/NPAD
Chapters
Learn about the spooky and historic town of Salem, Massachusetts, and how Halloween has made its mark on this town through witch hysteria and famous movies like Hocus Pocus.
00:00 - 02:02 (02:02)
Summary
Learn about the spooky and historic town of Salem, Massachusetts, and how Halloween has made its mark on this town through witch hysteria and famous movies like Hocus Pocus.
Episode42: Witches, Curses, and Underground Tunnels. Salem Maritime National Historic Site
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The hosts talk about their newly launched merch and a lesser-known Michigan State Park with a fascinating history and native legends.
02:02 - 05:45 (03:43)
Summary
The hosts talk about their newly launched merch and a lesser-known Michigan State Park with a fascinating history and native legends. They also discuss the spooky season and talk about Salem, Massachusetts, and other haunted places in the US.
Episode42: Witches, Curses, and Underground Tunnels. Salem Maritime National Historic Site
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The speakers talk about their plans for Halloween and briefly discuss the struggles of indigenous people in America before shifting their attention to the history of the Salem witch trials.
05:45 - 12:57 (07:11)
Summary
The speakers talk about their plans for Halloween and briefly discuss the struggles of indigenous people in America before shifting their attention to the history of the Salem witch trials.
Episode42: Witches, Curses, and Underground Tunnels. Salem Maritime National Historic Site
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The Salem Witch Trials is full of history and stories but the story of Giles Corey and his wife, Martha, stands out and can be found in a visitor center in an old 1700s house that sells items to help preserve the cemetery where the victims of the Salem Witch Trials are laid to rest.
12:57 - 21:29 (08:31)
Summary
The Salem Witch Trials is full of history and stories but the story of Giles Corey and his wife, Martha, stands out and can be found in a visitor center in an old 1700s house that sells items to help preserve the cemetery where the victims of the Salem Witch Trials are laid to rest.
Episode42: Witches, Curses, and Underground Tunnels. Salem Maritime National Historic Site
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The Salem Witch Trials had multiple tests to determine if someone was a witch, including the touch test and the witch cake test which were easily manipulated by accusers.
21:29 - 26:42 (05:13)
Summary
The Salem Witch Trials had multiple tests to determine if someone was a witch, including the touch test and the witch cake test which were easily manipulated by accusers.
Episode42: Witches, Curses, and Underground Tunnels. Salem Maritime National Historic Site
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The Witch House in Salem, Massachusetts has been renamed due to its association with the witch trials, despite no accused witches or trials having taken place there.
26:42 - 32:54 (06:11)
Summary
The Witch House in Salem, Massachusetts has been renamed due to its association with the witch trials, despite no accused witches or trials having taken place there. It is believed to be cursed due to the judge's involvement in many deaths and is just one of many historical sites in Salem, including those linked to the triangle trade.
Episode42: Witches, Curses, and Underground Tunnels. Salem Maritime National Historic Site
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The Transatlantic Slave Trade involved the kidnapping and enslavement of African people who were then forced to work on sugarcane plantations in the Caribbean.
32:54 - 39:11 (06:16)
Summary
The Transatlantic Slave Trade involved the kidnapping and enslavement of African people who were then forced to work on sugarcane plantations in the Caribbean. The enslaved people would then grow sugarcane and trade it for rum, which was used to purchase more enslaved people.
Episode42: Witches, Curses, and Underground Tunnels. Salem Maritime National Historic Site
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The speaker discusses the popularity of witch-themed tours in Salem, Massachusetts, specifically highlighting Derby Wharf's fame as a location for palm readings and other mystical services.
39:11 - 46:53 (07:41)
Summary
The speaker discusses the popularity of witch-themed tours in Salem, Massachusetts, specifically highlighting Derby Wharf's fame as a location for palm readings and other mystical services.
Episode42: Witches, Curses, and Underground Tunnels. Salem Maritime National Historic Site
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The speaker draws a comparison between the Red Lake district and the Seattle Underground, noting similarities despite the lack of smuggling in the latter.
46:53 - 51:03 (04:10)
Summary
The speaker draws a comparison between the Red Lake district and the Seattle Underground, noting similarities despite the lack of smuggling in the latter. Additionally, they mention how the focus on witches detracts from other interesting parts of Salem.
Episode42: Witches, Curses, and Underground Tunnels. Salem Maritime National Historic Site
PodcastNational Park After Dark
Exploring the Salem tunnels and the area's history of slavery is an important way to gain a deeper understanding of the region.
51:03 - 58:02 (06:59)
Summary
Exploring the Salem tunnels and the area's history of slavery is an important way to gain a deeper understanding of the region. It can remind individuals that there is more to a place than its advertised attractions.
Episode42: Witches, Curses, and Underground Tunnels. Salem Maritime National Historic Site
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The podcast is concluding the spooky season programming and returning to their regular schedule covering topics such as death, survival, animal maulings, and history of the parks.
58:02 - 59:29 (01:26)
Summary
The podcast is concluding the spooky season programming and returning to their regular schedule covering topics such as death, survival, animal maulings, and history of the parks. They have a lot of new stories to share in the coming weeks.