Day 2

We had a very eventful day today. We learned more about the Salem witch trials, which we had discussed earlier in the year, by going to Salem itself. The first thing we did was watch a video on the history of Essex county (where Salem is located) at the Salem Regional Visitors Center. The video gave a very thorough and complete history of Essex County, which helped us better understand not only the history of the county, but the environment that gave rise to the witchcraft hysteria of 1692. After that, we went on a trolley tour around Salem, where the guide explained what landmarks were around us and the history of Salem. Among the historical landmarks found in Salem are the burial grounds of some judges that participated in the trials, as well as a house that the famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne once lived in. Following the trolley tour, we visited the Salem Witch Museum, which provided a detailed account of the witchcraft hysteria of 1692 that is so notable today. At the museum, we watched a show where music and wax figures were used to illustrate the various events that took place during the witch trials. Also at the museum was an exhibit about how the image of witches has changed several times throughout history, from a pagan midwife, to the green-skinned creature many think of today. The exhibit on witches also talked about Wiccans, actual witches, and the stereotypes that surround them. Overall, the witch museum was very informative, and helped many understand the Salem witch trials better. After we left the witch museum, we ate lunch on the Salem common, a communal grassy area in the center of Salem. It claims to be the oldest common in America, although it is unclear whether it is the Salem common or the Boston Common which holds that distinction. We wrapped up our time in Salem and hopped on the bus, headed towards the Freedom Trail which we had learned about in social studies.

The bulk of today we spent walking the freedom trail. For anyone who doesn't know, the freedom trail is a path connecting the core locations where key events in the American Revolution helped shape America as it broke away from it's mother country to become independent. This experience gave us a valuable understanding of the hard work the colonists put into forming this new country. It also taught us about the horrible tragedies that occurred on March 5th, 1770, the day the Boston Massacre took place. This taught us the perspective of both the British redcoats and the colonists while giving us useful insight into the locations where these events took place. We also learned about buildings where important meetings took place such as the Old South Meeting House where the Boston Tea Party was planned. The tour guide also gave us fun facts about the personal relations and family ties of important figures in the Revolution, and fun facts about buildings and places around Boston, enhancing our comprehension of the era surrounding the people fighting for our independence. Starting at five o'clock, the teachers let us explore Quincy Market, supplying us with 15 dollars for dinner and a drink. We went off in a few different groups to shop, eat and hang out. Learning to spend this money and having the freedom to pick where to buy stuff is a great learning experience that will help us later in life, indefinitely. We are headed down to the lobby now to enjoy group games until bed. Day two was another great day and hopefully the rest of the trip is just as good!

By: Caitlin and Erik