HALLOWEEN EVENT

Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live: Witch Trials in Early New England

Wednesday, October 30th, 6:30-8:00pm

Mill Hill Historic Park, 2 E. Wall St., Norwalk

Join us as we dive into the dark history of witch trials in early New England – it’s gonna be a spooky ride!

Join the Norwalk Historical Society and Leslie Lindenauer, Professor and author, for an illustrated talk as we dive into the dark history of witch trials in early New England.

In 1692-3 in Salem, Massachusetts the courts sentenced 19 people to hang and tortured a 20th to death. At least five more people died in jail. When most people think about the historic American witch trials, it is the events in Salem that dominate.

Fewer of us are aware that dozens and perhaps hundreds of people were tried for witchcraft in New England beginning over four decades before the events in Salem. Many of those trials occurred in Connecticut. At least sixteen people in Connecticut and Massachusetts were executed for the crime, most of them women. This program will explore those trials and consider how popular representations of witches – and Salem! – have changed over time.

Net proceeds support the Norwalk Historical Society’s education programs and exhibitions. The Norwalk Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

About Leslie Lindenauer

Leslie Lindenauer is a Professor in the Department of History, Philosophy, and World Perspectives at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury Connecticut, where she teaches courses in early American history, public history and museum studies, the American Revolution, local history, and gender studies. She holds an A.B. from Brown University, and an MA and PhD from New York University. She is currently working on an article examining the mythologies inherent in popular representations of early American witch trials. Her book I Could Not Call Her Mother: The Stepmother in American Popular Culture, 1750-1960 was published by Lexington Books.

Tickets: $15 per person online, $25 at the door

*To buy tickets; please use the button here or scan the QR code with your phone

Self-Guided Museum Tours

Self-guided tours of the Norwalk Historical Society Museum are available Wednesdays-Saturdays daily at 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00pm. To book a tour, please use the link below.

Explore Norwalk’s History in Two NHS Locations

Norwalk Historical Society Museum

In the Norwalk Historical Society Museum collections tell unique stories about Norwalk and its residents throughout time. NHS Administrative Offices and Gift Shop are also located at the Museum.

Hours
Wednesday–Saturday, Noon-4:00pm
Closed holidays and special events

Location
141 East Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851
Tel: 203-846-0525

Mill Hill Historic Park

Mill Hill Historic Park includes four historic buildings and an ancient cemetery: the 1835 Town House, the 1826 Downtown Schoolhouse, the c. 1740 Gov. Fitch Law Office, and the c. 1767 Mill Hill Burying Ground.

Hours
Grounds – open year round, sunrise-sunset
Buildings – open for special events and group tours.

Location
2 East Wall St, Norwalk, CT 06852
Tel: 203-846-0525