The Witch House

The Witch House is the 17th-century home of Judge Jonathan Corwin and the only building in Salem with direct ties to the 1692 witch trials. Corwin, heir to one of the largest Puritan fortunes in New England, bought the house in 1675. Seventeen years later he and his family took part in the trials, with Corwin serving as a judge. Today the house is a museum focused on Corwin’s family and the world they lived in.

Rather than dwelling only on the trials, the museum looks at family life, architecture and furniture of the seventeenth century to help visitors understand the people involved and to enrich their sense of America’s colonial heritage. The house connects elements of everyday life with the events that punctuate history’s timelines. Visits are self-guided, with staff positioned throughout the house to chat and answer questions.

What to Know

• The house is open daily from mid-March through November, and winter hours are available by phone.
• Entry is timed, with a small number of visitors admitted every 20 minutes.
• It is listed by Destination Salem as one of the city’s museums and attractions.