etching of a courtroom scene during the Salem Witch Trials, with information about the event.

A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the Failure of Leadership

Boston National Historical Park

Special Event
  • Oct 26, 2022 at 7:00 PM
  • Fees apply

Register

please register at the Eventbrite

Join Old North and Dr. Tad Baker on Zoom for a look at the “perfect storm” of factors that led to the notorious Salem witch trials.

The 1692 Salem trials are infamous for being the greatest witch hunt in American history. What led to these disastrous events? As Dr. Tad Baker will explain, it took a perfect storm of factors, including religious discord, political factionalism, the worst weather of the century, and an abject failure of leadership.

In this talk, Dr. Baker will unpack the decisions made by Massachusetts leaders, including Salem’s local ministers, the panel of nine judges who heard the trial, and the governor who appointed them. A professor of history at Salem State University and an expert on the trials, Dr. Baker will untangle the tragic tale of Salem’s witchcraft hysteria.

More information

Fees

Donation

Location

Virtual

Schedule

Date:

Oct 26, 2022

Time:

7:00 PM

Duration:

1 hour and 30 minutes

Event Type

  • Partner Program
  • Talk
  • Virtual/Digital
Tags: boston national historical park, boston african american national historic site, boston harbor islands national and state park, old north church, virtual talk, salem witch trials