The Salem Witch Trials Podcast

The Salem witch trials ended more than three centuries ago, but the story has never truly stopped. This episode explores how the legacy of this historical crisis has been claimed, reinvented, memorialized, commercialized, and contested across generations.

An early settler of Salisbury, Massachusetts, Susannah Martin's reputation, as well as a series of accusations made against her earlier in her life, meant that she was destined to become a target of the witch hunt. Learn more about host Greg Houle's new novel: The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

We explore the life and legacy of Martha Carrier, the first Andover resident accused of witchcraft in 1692. We’re joined by Carrier’s descendant, Alice Markham-Cantor, author of The Once and Future Witch Hunt: A Descendant’s Reckoning from Salem to the Present. Learn more about Alice Markham-Cantor and her book at her website. Be sure to check out host Greg Houle's new novel: The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

It’s our one year anniversary and we’re celebrating with a great discussion, recorded before a live audience at the Danvers Historical Society’s Tapley Memorial Hall in downtown Danvers, MA (formerly known as Salem Village) on September 30, 2024. The panelists include: Emerson Baker is a historical archaeologist and professor of history at Salem State University who has done extensive work around the witch crisis. He’s the author of several books, including A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience. Rachel Christ-Doane is the Director of Education at the Salem Witch Museum, where she engages in research, works with students and teachers, creates educational programing as well as oversees curation and exhibition development. Her recent published articles include, “The Salem Witch Trials Memorial: Finding Humanity in Tragedy” in Smithsonian Folklife and “The Untold Story of Dorothy Good, Salem’s Youngest Accused Witch in American Ancestors. Daniel Gagnon is the author of the book, A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse. He also serves on the board of directors of the Rebecca Nurse Homestead Museum. For the last several years, Dan has been giving extensive tours of the area to help people better understand the witch hunt. Check out host Greg Houle's book The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

Host Greg Houle's book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials, is now available. In this short bonus episode, he talks about the novel. Learn more at theputnamsofsalem.com Buy the book: Amazon, Bookshop.org, BN.com

While the majority of people living in Salem in 1692 were completely swept up in the witch hysteria, there were more than a few brave souls who cast a skeptical eye at what was going on. We tell some of their stories. Preorder Greg Houle's book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok

In many ways, the Salem witch trials have taken on a life of their own over the last three centuries. In this episode, we’re joined by John Howard Smith, professor of history at Texas A&M University - Commerce, who helps us sort through the myths and realities of the witch crisis. Prof. Smith’s most recent book is A Dream of the Judgment Day: American Millennialism and Apocalypticism, 1620-1890 He is currently finishing up the drafting of his new book, Heathens and Other Adversaries against Us: Religion, War, and Racial Identity in Colonial New England. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

Cotton Mather was a third generation minister born into Puritan royalty, a nepo baby long before anyone had ever used the term. But his involvement in the Salem witch trials — and defense of the trials afterward — led to his eventual vilification. We’re joined by Professor Rick Kennedy who helps us sort through Mather’s complex role in Puritan New England. Learn about Rick Kennedy Learn about Rick Kennedy’s book The First American Evangelical: A Short Life of Cotton Mather Rick Kennedy’s latest book is Winds of Santa Ana: Pilgrim Stories of the California Bight Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials