Salem is Bewitching!

Hello my friends, I want to say thanks for all of the sweet comments about my previous post!  Having so much fun in New England and haven't spent much time on the computer.
 
A couple days ago we visited Salem, and boy did it put
a spell on me!
 
(the oldest cemetery in Salem)
 
It's an amazing town full of history.
 
Did you know that the Puritans believed that it was already predetermined if they would be saved or damned after death.
It was something that they constantly worried about.
 
The skull was commonly used on their headstones.  The stone mason could have a bit of fun deciding whether or not he would give the skull a smile or a frown.
 
 


 
We learned that the Hawthorne name was originally Spelled without an h.  It was added later to try and steer away from the fact that they were related to Col. John Hathorne, a witchcraft judge.
 
 
We toured  The House of 7 gables made famous by the book written by Nathanial Hawthorne.
 
The gardens were gorgeous!
 





And look who followed me home.  :)
 

 

The people of Salem really get into the spooky reputation that their city has.
 
 




 

Here are a few things that caught my eye.

Isn't this gate bewitching?

 
How about this twig village created by a North Carolina artist?

 
I felt a little like a 'who' in 'Whoville'.
 
 
 
Before we headed back to New Hampshire we enjoyed some delicious fish tacos.
 
 
We had such a fun day and I could have hung around
a little bit longer.
 
 
Off to a rummage sale!
 
hugs,
Jann
 

32 comments

Curtains in My Tree said...

That was an interesting visit in that village
Those are big fish tacos
and love the pretty hyrdangeas

Sandi Magle said...

How much fun is all that!
There are similar slate gravestones in Boston in the oldest cemetery there. A throw back to the Puritianical society that settled New England. I asked the tour guide, how it was determined if you had a skull or angel, and he said it was the church elders. It was spooky how well preserved slate stones are.

Looks, like a fun trip, Thanks, Sandi

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

Love your photos and perfect time of year for a visit. Cool, but not frigid yet... I have not been to Salem in years, even though I go to Boston to visit my father every year. I will have to take my daughter sometime. We have been to the author's house in Concord.

Tamara said...

That looks like so much fun Jan.. I'm glad you're having a good time. Your photos are wonderful.. love the photos and the history is intriguing. I recently read The Scarlett Letter and it gave a little perspective about the people. The tacos look delicious! Safe travels..

Hugs,
Tamara

Stacey said...

You're so cute!! Glad to see you are having fun. :)

Susie said...

Jann, You look so pretty hanging out there in that spooky place. LOL. I saw some of those skulls on tombstones in Boston and Charleston. Be safe, xoxo,Susie

Julie's Lifestyle said...

Hi Jann,
Oh what fun and lucky you were to visit Salem! I love those scary decorations on the houses. I love the cute cat that came home with you! Thanks so much for sharing you visit with us. Enjoy the weekend.
Julie xo

Mary Ann Potter said...

Looks like a great visit. I visited Salem years ago, but it was in the summer. It's such a pretty area. Loved the photo of Hawthorne's house --- it was a reminder of teaching his novels for all those years in the classroom.

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

I went to Salem and took in all the sights. While going up the scary steep steps at the House of 7 Gables I had a panic attack. Needless, to say I did not go back down those steps and went down the regular ones LOL.
The Museum that told about the witches was very interesting.
We were there in September and they had not started decorating for Halloween yet. But the city was very interesting and the beautiful old homes. So glad that you had a great time and enjoyed your self.
Hugs,
Mary

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

What a fun place to visit ....esp. this close to Halloween! Love your scary face.....it looked more sweet than scary..lol!

20 North Ora said...

What an interesting place to visit! Love your cat you brought home. So cute. they really go all out for décor. Thanks for sharing.

Judy

Sarah said...

Jann, I'd love to visit Salem sometime. Love your souvenir. '-)
Folks here are into decorating their yards and front porches. Lots of spiders attacking homes this year. Ha!

Joy Junktion said...

With the exception of a weekend business trip to Baltimore, I've never been to the east coast, mid west, or southern states, I'm such a west coast girl but would Love to visit the east coast someday! It looks like you really enjoyed your trip and had a spooky good time! Enjoy rummaging!! Blessings, Cindy

Parsimonious Décor Darling said...

Looks like a grand time....but the clown, jeepers!! Lol...

Kim said...

Looks like everyone in Salem is ready for Halloween. Love those buildings. A house with 7 gables....how very cool. I must say that garden is gorgeous, what fabulous grounds to explore. Happy rummaging!!

Rita C at Panoply said...

Makes we want to go back to New England. We didn't go to Salem on our visit. Gosh, there are so many things to do and see in NE. Love the cemetery pictures. Have fun!

J said...

I loved your post because I've been to Salem twice and its one of my favorite destinations! We toured the Hawthorne House and I agree with you about the gardens! Loved the cemetery, too, and even the tourist-y museums. The cat who followed you home is adorable - it was a voodoo doll who followed ME home! lol

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Lots of history there! Glad you're having fun, Jann. Enjoy your day!

Autumn blessings,
Sandi

Betty said...

I envy you so much. Hubby and I plan a vacation of all the New England states when he retires.

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

This whole post should be submitted to the Salem Chamber of Commerce because you certainly have made me want to go and visit!

Rose L said...

A Salem version of Cheshire cat! Fun!

Jonell w Harrison said...

Looks like you had a really fun trip..loving the twig village of course!And the long long [appears to be] Vine covered arbor with table/chairs -reminds me I have similar [tho smaller] project to finish on my patio...I hope, I hope. Thank you for sharing your fun and photos with us. I always find things you do motivating.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

You were almost next door to me! I live in Nahant, which is a little island (connected to the mainland by a 2 mile causeway) just about 15 minutes away from Salem. In fact, I lived in Salem a few times in my life and grew up in Marblehead, which is the next town from Salem. It is fun there in October....but not if you aren't a tourist and you just need to get through town. We can't wait till November when you all go home. :) But I'm glad you had a nice time because it's a beautiful place.

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Hi Jan! You are so adorable!

What a neat visit - and such interesting history!

One of my fav things is to visit old cemetaries and read the dates and names. My father and I did that a lot in France when we went - sooooooo old...our nation is infant compared to some, huh?

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Big hugs. Sorry I have been mia. ♥

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Oh how fun! Love the photos especially the ones of the way they've decorated for Halloween. What a fun place to be for that event! When we went out to Connecticut we headed up to Boston and also visited Salem. I loved the old cemetery's and headstones. It's unlike anything I've ever seen before!

sweetbriardreams said...

What a spooky place. It must be a bit unnerving at night. As a Chlorophobic, the statue of the clown would freak me out! My mum lives at the back of a cemetery and loves to research the people who are buried there. xx

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

I've always wanted to visit that part of the world, so thank you so much for sharing.

Oliva Ohlson said...

Wow..so glad to know you had a wonderful time!!! Beautiful pictures, and I would enjoy walking through the cemetery and reading the headstones...talk about history!!! Happy to know Salem's citizens do get into the spirit of Halloween! Those fish tacos look so yummy and I bet they were!
Have a wonderful day!!!

ellen b said...

Looks like the perfect time of year to visit Salem. That's so interesting about the tombstones/headstones...

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Hi Jann, How wonderfully Haunted that place looks! Love the house with the webs and skeletons going up the side! The House of Seven Gables? How cool is that?! Great time of year for your visit to Salem. :)
Gina

Anne's Attic - Design said...

Hi Jann, it sure looks like you are having a great time. I knew you would love Salem! It's such a wonderful old town rich with history and steeped in old tradition. Love the cemetery! The whole town is so full of fun. So glad you are keeping us updated. Enjoy! Hugs, Jo

Heidi | Mysweetcottage.com said...

Looks like you had a fabulous trip! And what a great time to go to Salem - right before Halloween. Love your photos.

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