Of Shoppes and Witch Houses
Ye Olde Pepper Companie
Apparently the oldest candy company in the United States, Ye Olde Pepper Companie continues to use its original recipes from the 1800s in its confections.
It was founded by Mary Spencer, a woman from England who arrived to the US in 1806, shipwrecked and destitute. She set up her shop at the same location it sits today.
Her business was purchased in 1830 by George Pepper, a confectioner. It passed on to its current ownership at the turn of the 20th century.
Wynott’s Wands
Evoking, though not officially affiliated with, the Harry Potter universe, this cute little shop is filled with wands, books, notebooks, and other spellbinding objects, ready to meet all your magical needs.
Salem Old Town Hall
This is the earliest surviving municipal structure in Salem, originally built in 1816-17. The second floor of the building holds a Great Hall, which was used as town offices until 1837. The first floor, originally a public market, now holds the Salem Museum.
The Witch House
The Jonathan Corwin House, also known as The Witch House, was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin and is the only structure still standing with ties to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The home remained in the Corwin family until the 19th century. It now serves as a museum run by the City of Salem.
First Church in Salem
This church, originally built in 1836, claims to be one of the oldest continuing Protestant churches in North America. It was designed by Solomon Willard. Before its construction, members of the congregation met in houses or in a building near the Town House Square.
Ropes Mansion
This house was originally built for the merchant Samuel Barnard in the 1720s. In 1768, Judge Nathaniel Ropes Jr. purchased the home from the original owner’s nephew, leading to its present-day name.
The family lived here until 1907, at which time the house was donated for public benefit. Today, it is operated by the Peabody Essex Museum. It also featured in the Disney Halloween film Hocus Pocus as Allison’s house.
While we didn’t go inside, we did have a chance to stroll through its lovely gardens, which were added to the house in 1912.
The Black Veil Shoppe of Drear & Wonder
This has to be one of the most gorgeous shops I’ve ever been to. Co-owned by tattoo artists Ryan and Matthew Murray, the shop is intended to be “a glimpse through the keyhole of a veil between two worlds, to a place of sprawling gardens and looming shadows never to be at rest.”
Gold Colored Fox 