Tag: Salem

The Best ‘No Soliciting’ Sign Ever

Seen on the Jonathan Archer house in Salem, Mass.: The best ‘no soliciting’ sign ever. It reads: “No soliciting; we are too broke to buy anything; we already know who we are voting for, we have found Jesus, seriously, unless you are selling thin mints, please go away!” Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Seen in Salem Found on an entry to a house built in Salem around 1710 by Jonathan Archer, cordwainer, is the best ‘no soliciting’ sign ever—unless you are selling thin mints, do not knock! For the curious, cordwainers made shoes.…

Where to Brush by the Revolution

I haven’t visited any places specifically to learn about the War of Independence, but I have stumbled upon little reminders at a few places. Seeing little bits of the past brings history alive for me. I know I learned about…

There Really Is a House of the Seven Gables

Author Nathaniel Hawthorne's cousin owned a house in Salem, Mass. that once had seven gables.

Surprises at the Salem, Mass. Building that Hawthorne Made Famous It has been a long time since I have read Nathaniel Hawthorne’s House of the Seven Gables, but I am still excited to learn that he based his book on…

Cruising Cemeteries around the Globe

Grave marker of Anastasia Romanov at Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Touring Graveyards for History and Understanding I suppose if you are bashful, a cemetery is a great place to visit given that no one is likely to talk to you much. I like cemeteries for the opportunities they provide to…

Traveling with Witches

traveling with witches

It’s a good thing that the law has evolved a bit since the 1600s given my penchant for visiting shamans, inquiring about witches, and talking directly to higher powers without any male or priestly intercession. In May 1647, the first…

Salem, Where Were You during the Revolution?

One of the great joys of traveling to places that we visit to see other things is learning about their other histories, those that we are not necessarily there to see. I am in Salem, Mass. to learn about witches…