Remembering Rebecca Nurse: A Visit to Salem Village’s Enduring Witness
I am grateful that so many historic houses are still open to the public to explore and to remind us of the lives lived within them. One such home is that of Rebecca Nurse, a respected, elderly woman of Salem Village who became one of the most tragic figures of the Salem Witch Trials in 1692.
Despite strong community support and even an initial “not guilty” verdict, Rebecca was ultimately convicted of witchcraft and executed by hanging on July 19, 1692, at the age of 71.
The Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers, Massachusetts (formerly part of Salem Village) still stands today, carrying within its walls the weight of her story. Salem itself continues to hold this special and sobering history of the witch trials, reminding us of the dangers of fear and injustice and the importance of remembering.
Read More From Nancy
Wave Hill – Bronx, NY
Marty and I visited Wave Hill at the end of the autumn, when the Hudson shimmered below us. Perched high above the river in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, the former country estate felt worlds away from the bustle of the city with the sweeping views stretching toward the Palisades in New Jersey. Originally developed […]
Edith Wharton’s Mount – Lenox, Massachusetts
Exploration through road trips was a big part of homeschooling in our household. Each spring, when historic homes reopened for the season, off we would go, ready to step into another life and another era. One such stop was Edith Wharton’s home in Lenox, Massachusetts, a place we returned to more than once, always drawn back […]
Monticello – Virginia
Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello reflects the depth and breadth of his extraordinary intelligence. Remembered as our third president and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson’s brilliance is clearly visible throughout his home. At Monticello, you encounter not only a statesman, but an inventor, writer, architect and visionary. Every room reveals his curiosity and […]
