Witches and Wards: Magic and Counter Magic in 17th Century England and New England
May 20 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Step into a world of creativity and exploration with our thought-provoking series:
Image, Invention, and Imagination: A Series on Art & Community Through the Ages.
Mondays, May 6, 13, 20 & Tuesday, May 28th
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Doors open at 6:45 pm
Admission: $15 per presentation / $50 for series.
Member savings apply.
Join us on a captivating journey through history as we explore the profound connections between art, innovation, and the human imagination. Delve into the fascinating intersection of artistic expression and community dynamics, from the medieval world to the present day. Discover how art has shaped our collective identity and inspired generations to push the boundaries of creativity. Don’t miss this enriching series that celebrates the power of imagination to transform the world around us. Join the conversation and be inspired!
Monday, May 20: Witches and Wards: Magic and Counter Magic in 17th Century England and New England
Beliefs and fears surrounding witches and the Devil were rampant in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Laws against witchcraft were in place as early as 1542 in England. The resulting witch trials were published in witchcraft pamphlets written for the public to consume. While the church advised the people to trust in the power of God, many people took defense against witches into their own hands. Specific items concealed in walls or specific markings carved into fireplaces were believed to keep the Devil and his agents away. When the British came to colonize America, these practices came with them and can be found in many local historic homes even today.
Krystina Yeager of Salem, MA is a historian specializing in the witch trials of England and the British American colonies, with a specific focus on the role of the witch’s familiar. She graduated with her MA in History with an additional graduate certificate in Public History fall of 2023. She is passionate about how marginalized histories upend the accepted historical narratives, which led her to start the Historian’s Guide to the Salem Witch Trials, a tour company in downtown Salem educating people about the injustices of the 1692 trials. Krystina is also newly appointed as the Education Manager at Historic Beverly.
Each hour-and-a-half presentation will include a Q&A session with light refreshments available for purchase.
The series includes:- Monday, May 6: 140 Years of Television Technology. Presented by: John Leysath, Curatorial Director, Hammond Castle Museum
- Monday, May 13: Science and Spirit in Italian Renaissance Painting. Presented by: Rocco Gangle, Philosophy Professor, Endicott College
- Tuesday, May 28: Lotta Dames, No Horses – The Life, Death, and Legacy of John Latouche. Presented by: Caleb McMurphy, Director of Visitor Services and Education, Hammond Castle Museum.
Reserve your tickets for one or all the presentations.
