“In the Shadow of Salem” — Witchcraft talk with local author Richard Hite

Join the State Archives as they close out Archives Month with a special, spooky lecture about the history of witchcraft in New England. Local author and Rhode Island State Archives State Records Coordinator Richard Hite will explore the fear of witchcraft as it spread throughout northern Massachusetts and the greater New England area and share the fascinating story of a long-overlooked phase of the largest witch hunt in American history.

Although there were no known witch trials in Rhode Island, it’s neighboring states play a major role in the story. To the west, the first known execution was in 1647 in Connecticut. To the North, former Rhode Island residents were involved in many of the events that took place in 1692. Andover, Massachusetts would eventually play a crucial role in stopping the witch hunt, but before then, they made more accusations of witchcraft than any other town. Gather around the State Archives on Thursday, October 30 as we conjure up some witch stories!

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