On October 27, 2025, a significant transatlantic partnership was announced, linking two communities separated by an ocean but bound by a shared—and haunting—history. Moyse’s Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds, England, and the Salem Witch Museum in Massachusetts, USA, are joining forces to explore the deep connections between the infamous witch trials that scarred both towns centuries ago. The collaboration aims not just to shine a light on the past, but to encourage new waves of visitors and foster a richer understanding of the events that shaped both societies.
The roots of this partnership reach back to 1662, when the trial of Amy Denny and Rose Cullender took place in Bury St Edmunds. According to BBC News and other sources, these two elderly widows from Lowestoft were accused of bewitching local children, found guilty, and executed. Their case, detailed in the historical booklet "A Tryal of Witches" (first published in 1682 and reprinted in 1716), set a legal precedent that would echo across the Atlantic decades later. This document, now held at Moyse’s Hall Museum, was even consulted by magistrates in Salem as they determined what kinds of evidence would be admissible during their own infamous witch trials at the end of the 17th century.
The Salem witch trials, which unfolded between 1692 and 1693 in Massachusetts, saw 20 people convicted and executed, while about 150 more faced accusations. The parallels with the Bury St Edmunds trial are more than coincidental. Historian Ivan Bunn, co-author of "A Trial of Witches" with US criminologist Professor Gilbert Geis, has argued that the Salem trials might not have occurred at all if not for the legal framework established in Bury St Edmunds. The English trial was notable for allowing "spectral evidence"—testimony based on visions or dreams, often from a single, uncorroborated witness. This controversial practice was adopted in Salem, with devastating consequences.
Recognizing the enduring impact of these events, both museums are preparing to launch a series of initiatives designed to explore—and perhaps heal—the wounds of history. This winter, information about the links between the two sets of witch trials will go on display at both Moyse’s Hall and the Salem Witch Museum. The partnership will also feature a series of lecture swaps, with experts from each institution addressing audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The goal? To create a mutual exchange of knowledge and culture, and to provide a more nuanced understanding of the witchcraft panics that gripped both England and America.
Dan Clarke, heritage officer at Moyse’s Hall Museum, captured the spirit of the collaboration, telling BBC News: "Bury St Edmunds, within a witch trial context, is one of the most infamous places in Europe. To share our history in friendship and academic endeavour with the most notable place on earth for this study is very humbling. It’s a fascinating next step in our pursuit to best tell the human story of the victims in a wider context."
The partnership is more than just an academic exercise. Moyse’s Hall Museum is currently curating a major exhibition, set to open on October 31, 2026, that will focus on the Witch Trials of Bury St Edmunds and East Anglia. The exhibition promises to share the stories of the victims, delve into the social and cultural forces that fueled the witch hunts, and showcase artefacts never before seen by the public. According to museum officials, the exhibition will be supported by leading academics from across the UK and will include items on loan that shed new light on this dark chapter of history.
Rachel Christ-Doane, director of education at the Salem Witch Museum, echoed the excitement from across the Atlantic. "We are excited about this collaborative opportunity, particularly because the roots of the Salem witch trials lie in England. We meet visitors from the UK regularly, many of whom have family connections to our local trials. We anticipate a fruitful exchange of information with Bury St Edmunds as we compare the similarities and differences between these famous witchcraft panics," she said.
The museums aren’t the only ones embracing this moment. Ian Shipp, cabinet member for leisure at West Suffolk Council, which operates Moyse’s Hall Museum, noted: "The witch trials is a disturbing part of our history in Bury St Edmunds that sadly carried over and influenced the United States. We already see many visitors from America to Moyse’s Hall which, as a history museum, reflects the good and bad from our past in order that we may learn from it. This link with Salem is the natural step for both museums and we look forward to exploring this further through our exhibits."
This transatlantic partnership is part of a broader effort in Bury St Edmunds to confront its "darker history." The town’s official tourism brand, Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, ran a national digital marketing campaign last autumn and winter to tap into the rising trend of "Dark Tourism." In March, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds staged its own production, "A Tryal of Witches," focusing on the local trials. To coincide, Moyse’s Hall Museum presented an exhibition on "Superstition: Strange Wonders and Curiosities," complemented by guest talks on witch trials, folklore, and superstition.
But the town’s connections to the United States run even deeper. Bartholomew Gosnold, founder of Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and Jamestown in Virginia, hailed from Bury St Edmunds. The town also played a key role in the history of the Magna Carta, the English charter that influenced the American Constitution. During World War II, RAF Bury St Edmunds (now Rougham Airfield) welcomed 3,000 American GIs—nicknamed the "Bomber Boys of the Mighty Eighth"—whose strategic bombing missions helped turn the tide of the war in Europe.
Sue Warren, head of marketing for Our Bury St Edmunds BID, which operates the tourism brand, summed up the excitement: "We are delighted that the two museums will be working in partnership. With direct ties to the Salem witch trials and as the hometown of Bartholomew Gosnold, Bury St Edmunds shares a fascinating and layered historical connection with the USA but in particular Massachusetts—none that continues to intrigue and attract American travellers seeking deeper stories from across the Atlantic."
The renewed attention to witch trials in the UK is also reflected in the arts. Penny Layden, currently starring as Martha & The Judge in "Coven"—a new musical running in London until January 17, 2026—shared insights into her career and the enduring fascination with England’s witch trial history. Directed by Olivier award-winner Miranda Cromwell and written by Rebecca Brewer and Grammy award-winning Daisy Chute, "Coven" reexamines the true story of the Pendle Witch Trials with powerful anthems and melodies.
As both sides of the Atlantic prepare for exhibitions, lectures, and performances that revisit these tragic events, the hope is that a deeper, more honest reckoning with the past will emerge. The shared story of Bury St Edmunds and Salem is a reminder that fear, injustice, and hysteria know no borders—but neither do learning and reconciliation.
