Visit 17th Century Salem at Pioneer Village

Nestled in a park in Salem, MA, is Pioneer Village, a living history museum designed to portray life in the city as it would have been in 1630. This places it 62 years before the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Thus, it generally depicts a world that the older participants of the trial would have been familiar with. Beyond its relevance for history enthusiasts, the site was also a filming location for a beloved Halloween classic.

Pioneer Village was built by the City of Salem in 1930 for the Massachusetts Tercentenary. It consists of a number of structures built in the colonial style of 1630. The person in charge of creating it was antiquarian George Francis Dow, who tried to ensure that material and construction methods were as authentic as possible. Although the village was intended to be a temporary exhibit, in 1931 the city decided to make it permanent due to its popularity. Pioneer Village is often referred to as the first living history museum in the United States.

Sadly, as time went by, Pioneer Village experienced some challenges. In 1954, the replica of the Arbella (one of the ships that brought the Massachusetts Bay colonists) had to be destroyed after sustaining serious damage from a hurricane. Then, in the following decades, some of the buildings were lost to fire. Popularity at the village started to wane and it began to fall into disrepair. Vandalism was also an issue. By 1985, the city was ready to tear the site down. However, a restoration effort was made and Pioneer Village opened back up in 1988, with a grand reopening ceremony in 1990.

In 1992, Hollywood came calling. One of the village houses was used in the Halloween favorite Hocus Pocus. It served as the home of Thackery Binx in the opening scenes, before the character is turned into a cat by the witches. For fans of the film visiting Pioneer Village, the site management has clearly marked which house was used. This fun fact adds a whole other reason to visit the village and links it to the popular Salem themes of Halloween and witches.

Front View of Binx House

Side View of Binx House

Pioneer Village is located on the harbor within Forest River Park, outside of the normal tourist area of Salem. A wooden wall encircles the village, with a main entryway in the front. Its secluded setting gives it an entirely different feel than many of the other popular Salem destinations.

Outdoor cooking setup

As I walked through the village, I tried to imagine what it was like to be a 17th century colonist living in this kind of environment, surrounded by simple structures and a rustic way of life. What would have been the feeling when night fell and the darkness of the forest closed in around the bounds of the village? Surely it must have evoked a sense of mystery, vulnerability, and fear. A number of witch trials judges were born in New England in the 1630s and early 1640s. Did the world of their youth help enforce the belief that the supernatural lurked as an unseen threat?

Governor’s Faire House

Garden

Today, Pioneer Village (sometimes referred to as Salem 1630: Pioneer Village) is still in operation. It is only open seasonally and on certain days, so be sure to check the website before visiting. Currently, a ticket is required for entry and free parking is available onsite. There is some discussion around moving the village to a different location (the Salem Willows), though nothing has been decided as of writing this.

Bedroom

Fireplace

While the site is quite small, I enjoyed my visit to Pioneer Village. Walking among the structures provides an interesting perspective on Salem’s history and the Hocus Pocus link is a fun detail. Overall, the village offers a different kind of experience for visitors to the Witch City.

Wigwam

Interior of Blacksmith Shop

Location

98 West Avenue
Salem, MA 01970
Official site: pioneervillagesalem.org

Written by A. P. Sylvia