Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 6:30 -10 pm and Friday, October 20, 2023 from 6:30 -10 pm

Location: 128 Essex St., Salem
6:30–10 pm
Storytelling Experience
$35 members and Salem residents (with valid ID); $50 non-members

7–10 pm
Fireside Music & Magic
$25

Storytelling Experience tickets include timed entrance to PEM’s historic houses for storytelling, as well as access to fireside entertainment.
Fireside Music & Magic tickets include access to fireside entertainment only, and do not admit guests inside the historic houses.

This October, step into Salem’s dark past on a candlelit visit to PEM’s historic houses. Hear haunting tales of murder and mystery based on real events, told by storytellers dressed in period garb. To calm your beating heart, we’ll have warm drinks and bites available for purchase, like hotdogs, popcorn and baked goods from local favorite Ziggy’s. Plus, join us around the fire to warm up with fiddle music and hair-raising tricks from our roving magician.

Storytelling takes place inside three of PEM’s historic houses: the John Ward (1684), Quaker Meeting (about 1688), and Derby-Beebe Summer house (1799). On your journey, you’ll come face to face with the most dangerous nurse in New England, travel down a dark road prowled by a whistling highwayman and hear the confession of a girl who believes she’s being tormented by the specters of the Salem Witch Trials – with disastrous results for her neighbors. The storytelling experience lasts about 45 minutes.

These stories are intended for mature audiences and contain themes (mental illness, drug use, murder and suicide) that some may find disturbing. Discretion is advised.

GET TICKETS

Tickets are nonrefundable. Present your Haunted Histories ticket for $5 off general admission to PEM through Halloween. Guests must arrive 15 minutes prior to their ticketed time for Storytelling Experiences. Tickets are single-entry; guests are not permitted to leave and return except to seek out restroom facilities.

Please note: These historic properties are not wheelchair accessible and will require visitors to ascend several steps to get inside. Once inside, floors may be uneven and the space will be tight. Guests will need to stand while in the houses. Food and drink will be available for purchase but will not be allowed in the properties, and no restrooms are available on PEM property. Rain or shine, we’ll see you there!

Haunted Histories After Dark is held on Thursday, October 19, and on Friday, October 20.

This event is produced in collaboration with Creative Collective.