The History Press

Though located on Massachusetts's scenic North Shore, Salem is often remembered for its less than picturesque history. The "Witch City," as it is internationally known, is home to numerous landmarks dedicated to the notorious trials of 1692. Of these, the Witch House is perhaps most significant; this former residence of Judge Jonathan Corwin, whose court ordered the execution of twenty men and women, is the town's only true historic tie to the trials. It was here that Corwin examined the unfortunate accused. There is, however, more to this ancient building than its most famous occupant. From wars and death to prosperity and progress, local author John Goff searches beneath its beams and studs to find stories of those who called this place home.

New England is home to abandoned towns and forgotten main streets that once bustled with life and commerce. From villages sunk underwater to cities undone by the rise and fall of mill life, madness or just plain bad luck, these ghost towns offer a unique look into the rich history of the past. Get a glimpse into what early life was really like through historical accounts of abandoned villages. Discover the history behind the ruins of towns like Connecticut’s religious community Gay City, the former New Hampshire resort town of Unity Springs and Massachusetts’s famed Dogtown—before nature reclaims them entirely. Join local author Renee Mallett as she uncovers the heydays of some of New England’s most fascinating lost towns.

The early nineteenth century in New Bedford was a time of unimaginable wealth, intellectual ferment and artistic treasures. Prosperous whaling magnates like members of the Rotch, Morgan and Howland families commissioned the nation's finest architects to design and construct their majestic mansions. The city's architectural and cultural expansion brought great writers and artists like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson into the homes of County Street's elite. Yet behind the elegant façade of grand parties and notable house guests were the secrets and scandals of New Bedford's upper crust. Join author Peggi Medeiros as she chronicles the history of each mansion and the stories once hidden behind closed doors.

During his career as an actor, William Gillette portrayed world-renowned character Sherlock Holmes in more than 1,300 performances.

His career as a playwright and actor afforded him the opportunity to purchase a 184-acre estate, where he also built a twenty-four-room medieval-style castle. Overlooking the Connecticut River, Gillette's castle was complete with spy mirrors, sliding furniture, hidden rooms and a three-mile quarter-scale railroad. Since becoming a state park in 1943, it has evolved into one of Connecticut's most popular tourist attractions. Writer and award-winning journalist Erik Ofgang examines the history of an iconic structure and Gillette's life and role in the evolution of Sherlock Holmes.

Although humble in their function, these carefully crafted barns have shaped the landscape of Maine for centuries.

Built long before the days of plastic and plywood, the barns have survived for generations, each with a story to tell. In Bridgton, one barn offered comfort to a 16 year-old boy when his father was injured; another New Gloucester barn was so important to one family that its likeness was engraved on their headstones. Some owners said they would rather see their homes burn than their barns, and others have dedicated their lives and countless funds to restoring and preserving these buildings. From modest English to grand Victorian, Don Perkins examines the structures, origins, and evolution of Maine's barns, demonstrating the vital and precious role they play in people's lives.

Laconia's Belknap Mill thrived in the boom of the Industrial Revolution. The historic mill swiftly rose to the forefront of the city's hosiery industry in the nineteenth century. Lakes Region historian Carol Lee Anderson reveals the mill's unique history, including its inventive, entrepreneurial owners, their climb to industrial success and the challenges they overcame. This fascinating story encompasses the saga of countless French-Canadian immigrants whose arrival in the Lakes Region influenced the course of industry and daily life in the city of Laconia. The mill's story continues, and the preservation of this historic textile mill includes a fierce struggle of historic values versus urban renewal. Learn how this early symbol of the Industrial Revolution fought to become the pride of Laconia's industrial heritage.

The rugged beauty of the Cape's landscape has been captured in writing since the days of Henry David Thoreau. Yet few mention the area's architecture, aside from references to the "Cape Cod houses," the basic cottages that the earliest settlers built. From Provincetown at the northern tip to the village of Woods Hole at the opposite end, the residential architecture of Cape Cod encompasses an extensive range of styles. Scattered among the charming Capes are stately Federals and Greek Revivals built for sea captains, detailed Carpenter Gothic cottages constructed by Methodist camp-goers and sprawling Victorian and Shingle-style summer mansions built during the Gilded Age. Journey with Cape Cod native Jaci Conry as she reveals the architectural influences of different eras on this timeless peninsula.

From the moment in 1770 when Reverend Eleazar Wheelock located Dartmouth College in Hanover, the "College on the Hill" and the "Village at the College" have been inseparably linked as one. And from the time when the first log hut was constructed to the present, the built and natural environments have evolved as part of an organic evolutionary process. Due to changing architectural tastes, neglect and growth, many of the historic buildings that once flourished are no longer standing. Bygone landmarks like the beautiful entry porte-cochere at the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital and the handful of handsome buildings that marked the start of the University of New Hampshire are now lost to history. Join architect and historian Jay Barrett as he uncovers the stories behind the forgotten treasures of Hanover.