Ghost stories shared amidst glowing jack-o-lanterns and candlelit cottages.
Ticket sales for Friday will go to support Collins Middle School. Tickets for Friday may be purchased here
Saturday’s event is CANCELED
Thomas Green, representative of the Massachusett Tribe, shares the ancient practice of weir fishing and fish smoking.
Space is limited. To make a free reservation click here
Saturday, September 17, 2022
12:00 PM 4:00 PM
How do we celebrate the Fall Equinox? Join us at the Village for crafts and cooking demo to usher in the fall season.
Professors Donna Seger and Emerson “Tad” Baker of the Salem State University History Department discuss the impact of the Protestant Reformation on death and funeral customs, in 16th, 17th, and 18th century Europe and America, with specific reference to the Old Burying Ground on Charter Street.
The event is free and online. Tickets may be reserved here
Come to the Village and celebrate the Fall Equinox with crafts, lectures and food demonstrations.
12:00: The fire is lit!
1:00: Exploring the history of the Autumn Equinox with Dr. Al Cummins
2:00:Personalize your Fall Equinox celebration
3:00: Autumn Harvest Food Demonstration
Folklore and Folk Magic of the Autumnal Equinox
The poet John Keats described the coming of Fall in the opening of his ode To Autumn by as ‘a season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’, going on to marvel at the ripening fruits, nuts, and vegetables from their vines, trees, and soil. This season’s equinox – where the mighty Sun briefly balances directly atop the earth’s girdling equator and the measures the day and night as equal in duration – sees many examples of harvest festivities, folklore, and customs surrounding honouring the earth.
In the folk catholic calendar of medieval Europe, around a week after the equinox comes Michaelmas – indeed, a feast of All Angels – replete with various yearly customs of social and economic import as well as plenty of folk magics for calling upon the strength of the Archangel Michael. In contemporary Pagan practices, the Autumnal Equinox is celebrated as Mabon, as Alban Elfed, as Harvest Home, and by many other names, as one of the centrally significant cross-quarter days. A time of in-gathering, and perhaps of preparing for our journey to the wintery lands of the dead for hallowed Samhain later in the year…
In this workshop, contemporary cunning-man and historian Dr Alexander Cummins will lead us in exploring and celebrating the folklore and folk magics of this season: from the many cultural observations of autumn festivals and customs, to omens divined from the turning of the climate. We will discuss the sorcerous uses of Fall’s bountiful fruits: how to use an apple to dream of a future lover or even to try to make a boy kiss you; how to use a nutshell to heal a wound; and so on.
Along with historical considerations, we will discuss ways of further celebrating and exploring the Autumnal Equinox in your home, daily life, and personal spiritual practice for the coming days of Fall. And we will end with some meditations and discussion to set forth and celebrate the coming of autumn’s blessings.
Elizabeth Solomon from the Massachusett Tribe will share information about women’s roles within the Northeastern Woodland Indigenous culture. Join us on the Naumkeag page of this website to view her talk.
Celebrate the legacy: Pioneer Village invites all members of the community to participate in the Naumkeag Circle community art project throughout the month of October, celebrating the legacy and history of the Indigenous peoples of Salem. Bring a stone to the Village and add it to the circle near the Naumkeag exhibit site. Stones can be plain, decorated, or written upon with messages for members of the Indigenous community, and should fit in the palm of your hand. Once completed, the Naumkeag Circle will be used to share stories and performances from the local Indigenous community and from cultures from around the world. Pioneer Village is open to the public from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week throughout October. Please remember to wear a mask and maintain physical distancing of at least six feet from others.
Hear the voices: Elizabeth Solomon of the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag shares greetings from the Tribe and a Land Acknowledgement reading. After, Annawon Weeden of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe speaks about the history of the Mashpee Wampanoag and the cultural influences, contributions, and legacy of the Northeast Woodlands tribes. The presentation will be available online at www.thewitchhouse.org and www.pioneervillagesalem.org and broadcast on Salem Access TV.
Come celebrate Salem’s four hundred year history of spices, herbs and tea. Vendors, music and seventeenth century recipes! Free admission, donations encouraged!
HIstory Alive, Inc. presents
The Scarlet Letter
Adapted by Dr. Peter Stine, Mark Stevick and Kristina Wacome Stevick
Directed by Kristina Wacome Stevick
At Salem 1630:Pioneer Village
Stage Management by Marc Ewart-Cyzon
Costumes by Carrie Midura
Walk with Nathaniel Hawthorne as he imagines his Romantic novel of guilt and penitence.
featuring
Mikayla Bishop as Hester Prynne
Daniel Lefferts as Arthur Dimmesdale
Carl Schultz as Roger Chillingworth
Laine August as Pearl
Jennifer Emerson as Mistress Hibbins
Macey Jennings as Mistress Sheridan
Dana Sheridan as Mistress Ewell
Jonathan Wacker as Master Brackett/Reverend Wilson
Lemaris Bell as Governor Bellingham
Free Parking is available in Forest River Park.
Meet Nathaniel Hawthorne at the head of the pathway to Pioneer Village.
Tickets ($30) and more information at: https://scarletletter.bpt.me
The village pathways are lined with glowing jack-o-lanterns! Ghost stories are read in the cottages. A fall family event not to be missed. Tickets $10.00. Click here to purchase.
