John Hale House

The John Hale House, built around 1694, is the home of Beverly's minister during the Salem witch trials of 1692. John Hale was a significant figure in the crisis: initially a supporter of the prosecutions, his reversal after his own wife was accused became an important early critique of the hysteria. The house stands just east of downtown and is managed by the Beverly Historical Society.

The First Period structure has been preserved with period furnishings. Visiting it alongside the Salem sites, a short drive or train ride away, adds a specifically Beverly perspective on the witch trials — the town's proximity to Salem meant its residents were directly caught up in the accusations and testimony. The house is typically open seasonally; confirm hours with the Beverly Historical Society before visiting.

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Reverend John Hale initially supported the 1692 Salem witch trials, testifying against accused witches and writing in favor of the proceedings. His position reversed sharply when his own wife, Sarah Noyes Hale, was accused — a moment that led him to write "A Modest Enquiry into the Nature of Witchcraft," one of the earliest critical accounts of the trials.

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