Antiquing in Essex and Witch Hunting in Salem

Today was supposed to be our Freedom Trail day in Boston, but with rain expected all day we decided to visit some Antique shops in Essex.

There is a saying that "One man's junk is another man's treasure".  In some of the shops we visited this statement could not be truer.  Do you remember when cellophane tape came in a tin can? (double click image to enlarge)

Need an old Navy uniform or flag?

Ducks?

Shells?

From Essex we cruised the back roads to Salem.  It is so lush and green here in the summer, so unlike California.  I love how it looks but it means living with summer rains and the humidity which enables everything to stay green until the Winter snows arrive.

Did you know that Salem was named after the Hebrew word Shalom, meaning Peace?

Sarah Good (July 11, 1655 – July 19, 1692) was one of the first women to be accused and convicted of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials.

Can you imagine being pressed to death?  Check out Giles Corey this link to see what it looked like.

Next we walked over to see a Maritime Historical site.  Here is Peter looking like a Pilgram.

We saw this replica of the original Friendship ship.  Among sailing vessels, a "ship" is defined as a vessel with three or more masts, carrying rectangular sails on all masts.  These sails are set on horizontial yards that are perpendicular, or "square" to the keel, which runs the length of the bottom of the ship (probably more then you would ever want to know)

Right accross the road from this wharf is the Custom House (1819)  It represented the U.S. government in the port.  Officials issued permits to land cargo, seamen's protection certificates, and ships' measurement certificates.  It was there that merchants paid customes duties, then 90% of the U.S. revenue.  In return the government built lighthouses and beacons, protected shipping, and provided medical care to needy sailors.

On the walk back to the car I noticed this interesting liquor store called The Bunghole, check out how it got it's name.

Last but certainly not least and no visit to Salem would be complete without talking about Nathaniel Hawthorne.  We did not get to The House of Seven Gables but we've all read The Scarlet Letter and his other books and I didn't realize he was born and raised in Salem.