When I tell most of my friends and families that I am currently taking a class on witches and witchcraft, the reaction is almost always the same. Initially, they are confused and a little suspicious of what one could possibly learn. Upon my explanation of the class being purely academic and a historical examination of the trial that occurred in Salem, their tone usually changes from skeptical to interested. I can recall dozens of discussions that went through this exact progression.
In my personal opinion, their interest lies in the fact that everyone has heard about the Witch Trials that occurred in the 1600s, but the details escape them. It is not something that is talked about on a regular basis outside of the surrounding area in Massachusetts. It seems as if it is being forgotten. However, the town of Salem has done all they can to continue or even grow the buzz surrounding this tragic event. The big question is: Are they trying to preserve the memory of this event because of its tragic historical significance or is it a chance for a small town to capitalize on a lucrative economic opportunity.
There is a fine line to walk when educating the public about some of the darker sides of history. While some commodification is certainly necessary in order to produce funds for informing people (upkeep of grounds, preservation, museum costs, etc.) An example of this type of educational experience is plantation tours in Louisiana, which are a business making money while also providing valuable historical insight to a tragic part of our country’s past. As with anything, there are some who take advantage of the opportunity to profit more than others while losing sight of the true significance.
Salem is a unique example compared to your plantation tours or segregation exhibits. They really were the only area in the United States with major witch trials that were fully documented and shared in mass with the public. There is no spectrum of commodification for them. Numbers alone make a strong argument that Salem’s popularity and claim to fame with their witch trials ignores the gravity of what actually occurred. After all, their month-long celebration around Halloween (with witchcraft lore at the center) generates over $9 million for this small town with old industries (whaling) struggling to keep the lights on. The idea of people from all over the world coming to see the museums and locations from the witch panic is not the problem. As with any large moment of history, it is only natural to want to experience it first hand. The commodification aspect of it is how it becomes the identity of the town itself. The trials and executions become a sort of blessing for them in that they can profit from drumming up excitement surrounding it. Excitement and homage are two very different things that could both turn a profit. However, the order in which they are prioritized is what makes the difference. Today, that priority in Salem is money first, memory second.
This is also a great discussion, thanks.
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