IMAGES OF SALEM TERCENTENARY MEMORIAL James A. Percoco, photographer
	A cemetery, located on Charter Street in Salem, Massachusetts, has headstones dating back to the 17th century. Although no executed witches were buried here, a memorial for those who were denied Christian burials was dedicated by the Salem Tercentenary Celebration in 1992. James Cutler, architect, and Maggie Smith, artist, designed this symbolic project. Weathered stones create a rustic wall that surrounds a grassy lawn. Planted on the lawn are six black locust trees; such trees, according to legend, were used to hang those found guilty of witchcraft in 1692. The grassy lawn slopes down to the existing cemetery, where the headstones stand as silent sentinels just as the people of Salem stood silently by as their neighbors were hanged to death. The rough wall has cantilevered stones jutting out or "hanging" to serve as benches. Each slab is inscribed with the name of one of the executed and the execution date.
	Buried in the town cemetery is Judge Hathorne, who presided over the trials. His tombstone is encased to protect from further damage it since many visitors have touched it or made rubbings from it. The last image is of another Salem Tercentenary memorial proposal by Salem sculptor Yiannis Stafanakis. It depicts three sisters: Mary Easty, Rebecca Nurse, and Sarah Cloyce. Sarah watched as both her sisters were accused, tried, and executed for witchcraft. This model has yet to be erected permanently since some in Salem believe that it recognizes two women who were justly executed. The witch trial controversy continues. Click on each thumbnail to see its larger image.

Crucible Web Site || The Crucible || Arthur Miller || Blacklists || HUAC || || Images || Joseph McCarthy || Salem || Torture || || West Springfield High School ||

Curator: Susan Latour - susan.latour@fcps.edu

The West Springfield High School web site has had

visitors since July 10, 1998.