Haunted History
Do ghosts or spirits really exist? Do they come back to haunt the places that held a special place in their lives? What is the relationship between history and hauntings. The History Channel takes a look at reported hauntings of historical places. New England farmhouses, Southern plantations and other areas of historical prominence are visited in this special series. Haunted History attempts to unravel the mysteries of reported sightings of specters and things that go bump in the night. Haunted History would be useful for classes on American History, American Culture and religion. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.
New England
This episode of Haunted History examines reports of ghosts and spirits in the New England region. Of special interest is Salem, the site of the infamous witch trials in 1692 that devastated an entire community.
OBJECTIVES:
Students will examine the relationship between history, myth and superstition. They will gain an understanding of the role of individual lives in historical events as well as some of the theories and controversies regarding spectral inhabitation.
NATIONAL STANDARDS:
Haunted History fulfills the following National Standards for History for grades 5-12: chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretations, and historical research capabilities for United States History eras 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Discussion Questions
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New England is steeped in American history and tradition. How does this history set the stage for haunted history?
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When and why did the Puritans settle in New England? Where did they come from?
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Discuss the role of religion in Puritan New England. How is their society different from ours today? Are there any similarities?
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What does historian Richard Senate mean by a
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What is the sad history of the Benton homestead? Why is it said to be haunted?
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Elijah Benton died from smallpox. What is smallpox? Why don't we have a problem with smallpox today?
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In 1692, Salem, Massachusetts conducted the infamous witch trials. How did these trials start? Who was accused? Why were they accused?
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What are some of the historic explanations for the strange events that led to the Salem witch trials?
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Why is the Joshua Ward House haunted? What took place there?
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Who was Nathaniel Hawthorne? What are some of his famous works? Why did he have such an interest in the Salem witch trials?
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What is the history of the House of the Seven Gables?
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Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not?
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What are some theories about whether or not ghosts exist, and if they do, why do they haunt certain places?
Extended Activities
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Design a New England haunted house.
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Research the Salem Witch Trials and create a timeline which illustrates the events.
Related Videos
Primary Sources
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(Petition of Mary Easty)
The humbl petition of mary Eastick unto his Excellencyes S'r W'm Phipps to the honour'd Judge and Bench now Sitting In Judi-cature in Salem and the Reverend ministers humbly sheweth That whereas your poor and humble Petition being condemned to die Doe humbly begg of you to take it into your Judicious and pious considerations that your Poor and humble petitioner knowing my own Innocencye Blised be the Lord for it and seeing plainly the wiles and subtility of my accusers by my Selfe can not but Judg charitably of others that are going the same way of my selfe if the Lord stepps not mightily in i was confined a whole month upon the same account that I am condemed now for and then cleared by the afflicted persons as some of your honours know and in two dayes time I was cryed out upon by them and have been con-fined and now am condemned to die the Lord above knows my Innocencye then and Likewise does now as att the great day will be known to men and Angells -- I Petition to your honours not for my own life for I know I must die and my appointed time is sett but the lord he knowes it is that if it be possible no more Innocentt blood may be shed which undoubtidly cannot be Avoydd In the way and course you goe in I question not but your honours does to the uttmost of your Powers in the discovery and detecting of witchcraft and witches and would not be gulty of Innocent blood for the world but by my own Innocencye I know you are in the wrong way the Lord in his infinite mercye direct you in this great work if it be his blessed will that no more Innocent blood be shed I would humbly begg of you that your honors would be plesed to examine theis Aflicted Persons strictly and keepe them apart some time and Like-wise to try some of these confesing wichis I being confident there is severall of them has belyed themselves and others as will appeare if not in this wor[l]d I am sure in the world to come whither I am now agoing and I Question not but youle see an alteration of thes things they say my selfe and others having made a League with the Divel we cannot confesse I know and the Lord knowes as will shortly appeare they belye me and so I Question not but they doe others the Lord above who is the Searcher of all hearts knowes that as I shall answer it att the Tribunall seat that I know not the least thinge of witchcraft therfore I cannot I dare not belye my own soule I beg your honers not to deny this my humble petition from a poor dy ing Innocent person and I Question not but the Lord will give a blesing to yor endevers
(Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1. Page 127 )
Air Dates
