Salem Officials Getting Tired Of "Witch City" Image

[matcom]

<snip>

SALEM -- There's no escaping the witch on these cobblestone streets. There are ancient witches, modern witches, wax witches, stuffed witches. Everywhere, the classic broom-riding sorceress in the pointy hat adorns T-shirts and shot glasses and coffee cups.

The hundreds of thousands of tourists expected to descend on the town this Halloween season can visit dozens of museums and shops specializing in the occult, including the Witch Dungeon Museum and the Salem Witch Museum, where exhibits are translated into six languages. Or they can hire practicing witches for a tour of the city's "magical spots."

But some city officials think the time has come for the Witch City to play down the history that has linked Salem to the supernatural ever since 19 accused witches were hanged on Gallows Hill in 1692. The city's tourism group has hired a Boston firm to reinvent Salem's image, to emphasize its art, ships, architecture, restaurants, and shopping.

"The witch history has always been an important part of the city and always will be, but has sort of gotten known very narrowly in terms of the Halloween thing," said Mark Minelli, president of Minelli Inc., the consulting firm hired by the city. Minelli has proposed a new slogan: "Think you know Salem? Think again."

The soul-searching over Salem's public image has angered some residents; they say the city should not forsake the witch theme, which helps attract more than 1 million visitors each year. Highlighting the city's arts and culture, they argue, will mean less tourism money.

"People come here for witch history," said Leif Rochna, executive director of the Salem Witch Village and the Salem Wax Museum. "We have something that is so unique. It's a huge tourism tool. For many, many, many years, we've been known as the Witch City."

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/09/30/witch_city_brews_a_new_image?mode=PF

[BlueJazz]

1. Sounds like another one of those:

"Hey Bill, my Car has been running great!....I think I'll "fix" it! "

[noonwitch]

2. I've never been there, but I always think of the "Bewitched" episode where

Samantha and Endora have to attend the witches council that meets there, whenever I hear about Salem. I think of that before I even think of the historical witch trials, or Hawthorne.

I remember that episode because when Samantha and Durwood go on a tour of one of the houses, a haunted bedwarmer starts following Samantha around.

[DinahMoeHum]

3. But the Salem village of 1692 is now known as Danvers, right?

outside of what was Salem town then. (?)
It wasn't until later that trials actually started in Salem town proper, if I read history right. (?)

Correct me if I'm wrong, thanks.


:kick:

[Phillycat]

4. Salem is beautiful.

I went for the witches, but was charmed by the House of Seven Gables, the waterfront, and the Hawthorne history. Not to mention that the town is just so pretty and the people are nice. Classic New England town.

But the witches are the hook that get people there. If it ain't broke...