This Saturday, fans of history and horror can get their kicks at Historic Jamestowne.
“Tales of All Hallows Eve: A Haunted Evening at Historic Jamestowne” will give guests the experience to hear eyewitness accounts of conjurations and witchcraft from 17th-century Virginia, according to a news release from Historic Jamestowne.
Those accounts are brought to life through character interpretations and provide historical context on how events turned to supernatural tended “to blur logic and create fear” for those involved at the time, according to the news release.
While it may seem that witchcraft in the 17th century is heavily associated with Salem, Massachusetts, the persecution of suspected witches happened throughout the colonies. Colonialists in Virginia also had belief systems that were similar to other English colonies at the time which allowed for the existence of witches.
During the program, historian Carson Hudson will explore the misunderstood topic of witchcraft in colonial Virginia with examples of beliefs and legal proceedings that will separate fact from fiction.
The program offers a historic look into the legacy that is the fear of the unknown, darkness and the misunderstood.
The lecture will be from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and will begin at the Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center.
For those visiting during the day, there will be a special lecture presented by Hudson called Witchcraft in Early Virginia at 3:30 p.m.
The lecture will be included with paid admission to Historic Jamestowne or guests can buy tickets specifically for the event in advance.
To learn more, visit Historic Jamestowne online.
