Ether Monument (Boston, Massachusetts)
A fabulous sculpture/fountain in Boston Public Garden dedicated to the first use of ether as an anesthetic, which occurred at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1846. You can see a number of lovely photos of the monument on Flickr. (Thanks to Lady Morgana for the suggestion.)
Witch House (Salem, Massachusetts)
“The Witch House, home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, is the only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties to the Witchcraft Trials of 1692.” (Thanks to The Mourner for the suggestion.)
Witch History Museum (Salem, Massachusetts)
“The untold stories of 1692 told through an historically accurate live presentation followed by a guided tour downstairs where you will walk thru the forest, meet Tituba in Rev. Parris’s kitchen, visit Old Salem Village and view 15 life size scenes depicting these stories. These and many other stories of Which Times are revealed at the Witch History Museum.” (Thanks to The Mourner for the suggestion.)
Salem Witch Museum (Salem, Massachusetts)
“The Salem Witch Museum brings you back to Salem 1692. Visitors are given a dramatic history lesson using stage sets with life-size figures, lighting and a narration – an overview of the Witch Trials of 1692.” Or so the website says…
Salem Witch Dungeon (Salem, Massachusetts)
“The mood is set from the moment you enter the Witch Dungeon Museum. You are there – in Salem Village in 1692, and you are guaranteed a unique educational experience with a chill or two. You’ll experience the acclaimed performace of a Witch trial adapted from the 1692 historical transcripts. Professional actresses in repertory reenact the electrifying scene.” Or so the website says…
Peabody Essex Museum (Salem, Massachusetts)
The primary morbid draw of this museum is a silver-plated skull that is purported to be Blackbeard’s. (Thanks to The Mourner for the suggestion.)
New England Pirate Museum (Salem, Massachusetts)
The Mourner recommends this museum: “I had the opportunity to go to the Pirate Museum in Salem, MA (yes, the Witch Trials Salem, the place is full of tourist type stuff like that, including a Witch Dungeon similar to the one used centuries ago). Anyway, they had many other pirate flags and histories, mostly centered around New England. And of all the historical sites I saw there, it was the goriest. I loved it.”
Hammond Castle (Gloucester, Massachusetts)
“John Hays Hammond, Jr. built his medieval-style castle between the years 1926 and 1929 to serve both as his home and as a backdrop for his collection of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance artifacts. In addition, the building housed the Hammond Research Corporation, from which Dr. Hammond produced over 400 patents and the ideas for over 800 inventions. Second only to Thomas Alva Edison in number of patents, John Hammond was one of America’s premier inventors. His most important work was the development of remote control via radio waves, which earned him the title, ‘The Father of Remote Control.'” The Mourner has the following to say: “Gothic castle on the ocean created by a real Mad Scientist, has a skull of one of Columbus’s crew on display, a roman tomb and torture devices.” Sounds like fun to me!
Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast (Fall River, Massachusetts)
Although the house where Lizzie… er, somebody… took an axe and gave her parents 81 whacks has changed hands recently, it is still, thankfully, a bed and breakfast. I can’t wait to visit!
Edward Gorey House (Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts)
Visit the house where the Master of the Macabre worked his genius. Original artwork is on display too!