In Celebration of Independence Day, The World of
Witches Museum Opens in Salem, Massachusetts
“Witches have received a lot of negative
attention over the centuries, but in the
21st Century Witchcraft and Wicca are among the fastest growing
faith practices in America. To honor and share this amazing community, a Museum
dedicated to the World of Witches opens to the public this weekend in Salem,
The Witch City.”
In celebrating this Independence Day weekend we are reminded that our founding
fathers fought for our freedom. In honoring this American tradition, on Friday,
July 2nd, The World of Witches Museum will officially be opened in
Salem, Massachusetts. This will be a unique museum as the focus will be on the
history of Witchcraft from a positive point of view. As part of the
opening the Mayor of Salem, The
Honorable Kim Driscoll will officially cut the ribbon at a noontime ceremony
along with members of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Staff of the Museum,
Bewitched in Salem, and many other friends and supporters. This will be a major milestone for the Wiccan
and Pagan community as this will be the first time that their history will be
shared with mainstream society in such a public way. It is a showcase for the community that is
fighting for the right to practice their religion in modern America.
For Witch School, the museum’s primary operator, this is an opportunity for a
real home for them after a long and difficult journey. One exhibit in a
particular, ‘Witch School in Hoopeston’ carries a very personal and painful
reminder of the last several years. The
exhibit covers Witch School’s move from Chicago to Hoopeston, Illinois which
erupted into a protest by the local community.
This protest included the town’s Mayor, Aldermen, Churches and the local
daily paper; all who openly and publically sought to prevent the move. This began a seven year battle that was
covered heavily by the local, national, and international news media. In the end it became impossible for Witch
School to remain in Central Illinois and this brought them finally to the Witch
City, Salem, Massachusetts this year.
The World of Witches Museum is not just about discrimination. It is in fact a
celebration of Witches, Wiccans and Pagans.
The exhibits will take visitors on a journey that begins with the roots
of magic itself, from the earliest human ancestors, and then carries them to
the Witchcraft and Wicca movements of the 21st century. It is the
first museum to focus primarily on the historical individuals that have made up
the community, including Gerald Gardner, Dorothy Clutterbuck, Sybil Leek, Ray
Buckland, Oberon and Morning Glory Zell, Selena Fox, Therese Pendragon, Traci
Logan-Wood, and many more. For those seeking to understand the World of
Witches, the museum is a great place to start their studies.
According to Rev. Don Lewis, Curator of the Museum, “This is an important
project, a coming of age for the Witch movement, which allows us to recognize
that we do have a history worthy of sharing. Not only will the exhibits be interesting
to people visiting here in Salem, but we are also planning to have virtual
exhibits that can be viewed world-wide via the internet. We have individuals, groups, and leaders
sending us information and items to add to the museum from around the world.
While we begin this weekend to honor our community and the right to freely
practice our beliefs in the United States and freedom loving countries around
the world, we recognize that we have a duty and obligation to respect all those
who have made it possible. ”
The World of Witches Museum will be open every day, located at 57 Wharf Street,
Salem, Mass., on the famous Pickering Wharf. You can visit them on the web at www.WorldofWitchesMuseum.com and
at www.Facebook.com/WorldofWitches .
Tags: Celebration, Day, In, Independence, Massachusetts, Museum, Opens, Salem, The, Witches, More…World, in, of
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