Trails & Sails: Where History’s Ghosts Come Alive

Essex County’s Most Haunted Free Event Series

Every September, Essex County’s darkest secrets emerge during Trails & Sails – 16 days of free events that unlock the paranormal history hiding in plain sight. This isn’t just Massachusetts’ beloved heritage festival; it’s your gateway to the supernatural stories that shaped one of America’s most haunted regions. For 24 years, Essex National Heritage Area has organized Trails & Sails and has been opening doors to Essex County’s most mysterious locations from the beginning. 

Step inside haunted historic properties where previous owners refuse to leave, with exclusive access to areas typically off-limits to the public. Experience interactive exhibits and reenactments at Salem witch trial sites where accused witches met their fate – some say their spirits still linger. Board historic vessels where sailors’ spirits are said to roam, or explore lighthouse grounds with centuries of tragic tales. Join guided twilight walks through Essex County’s oldest burial grounds, where paranormal investigators have documented unexplained phenomena.

Supernatural Experiences Await…

Essex Heritage coordinates these spine-chilling experiences with local historical societies, paranormal groups, and haunted locations across the county. Many participating sites have documented supernatural activity, making Trails & Sails the perfect opportunity to explore these mysterious places safely – and for free.

Ready to discover why Essex County is considered one of New England’s most haunted regions? This September, let Trails & Sails guide you through the supernatural side of your own backyard. With hundreds of events to choose from, we’ve curated the most bone-chilling experiences that await you this September.

Here are the haunted highlights you won’t want to miss:

A Spiritual Quest Weekend at Hilldale Cemetery (Haverhill, Fridays & Saturdays, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM) – Join paranormal investigators at one of New England’s most haunted cemeteries with reports of shadow figures, apparitions, and mysterious voices.

First Parish Church and Burying Grounds (Newbury, Sept 13, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) – Visit burial grounds from 1635 containing remains of early settlers and veterans in one of the region’s oldest cemeteries.

Parson Capen House Opening (Topsfield, Sept 13, 16, 20, 23, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) – Explore whether witch hysteria could have been stopped in this 300-year-old parson’s study with original fireplaces and ceiling beams.

Focus on Four or Five Famous Folks Buried in Broad Street Cemetery (Salem, Sept 13, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM) – Master storyteller Fred Norton shares tales of influential Salem residents buried in this historic graveyard.

The Paranormal News Hour Presents Haunted Essex County (Lawrence, Sept 15, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM) – Virtual event exploring supernatural sightings across Essex County, including UFOs, Bigfoot encounters, and ghostly apparitions.

Revolutionary Tea on a Gambrel Roof (Danvers, Sept 17, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM) – Theatrical presentation of a dark colonial tale about the historic Page House and family defiance against British tea taxes.

Behind Closed Doors (Salem, Sept 18, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM) – Rare after-hours access to restricted areas of The House of Seven Gables. Navigate uneven floors and limited lighting while hearing lesser-known supernatural stories.

A Tour of Charter Street Cemetery (Salem, Sept 19, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM) – Walk through one of America’s oldest colonial burial sites, exploring nearly 400 years of local history and supernatural lore.

Civil War Walk at Hilldale Cemetery (Haverhill, Sept 19 & 26, 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM) – Walk among graves of more than 300 Civil War soldiers while historian Thomas Spitalere shares their haunting stories.

The Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Sarah Towne Cloyse, Formerly Bridges (Danvers, Sept 20, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM) – Discover the fate of Sarah Towne Cloyse, Rebecca Nurse’s youngest sister, and her witchcraft accusation in 1692.

Voices of Resistance: Salem Witch Trials Remembrance (Beverly, Sept 22, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM) – Commemorate the anniversary of the final witch trial executions with solemn ceremony and flower memorial at memorial stones.

Mary Estey: Her Life, Execution, and Historic Legacy (Danvers, Sept 22, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM) – Learn the tragic story of Mary Estey, Rebecca Nurse’s sister, through her witch trial and execution in 1692.

Hawthorne and His Novel Tour (Salem, Sept 25, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM) – Experience the cursed mansion from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel, exploring themes of family curses, mysterious deaths, and lingering ghosts.

How Many Revolutionary War Veterans Are Buried in Broad Street Cemetery? (Salem, Sept 27, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM) – Discover 107 recently rediscovered veteran burial sites using a mysterious 1936 map that revealed long-forgotten graves.

Nature’s Myth and Folklore Storytelling Series (Salem, Sept 27, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM) – Experience tales of supernatural folklore and wild wisdom from around the world in this craft and storytelling event.

Judge Holten House Tour (Danvers, Sept 28, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM) – Tour the home of Sarah Holten, who accused Rebecca Nurse of witchcraft. This historic house holds dark secrets from the witch trial era.

🎃👻 BEWARE! Trails & Sails Survival Guide 🦇💀

Before you dare to explore Essex County’s haunted trails:

🕸️ Check trailsandsails.org or face the curse of showing up to cancelled events 

🌙 Watch the weather—some spirits only appear on clear nights 

👥 Bring your bravest friends (safety in numbers against ghosts!) 

🖤 Thank your hosts—they’re keeping these FREE events alive from beyond 

📞 Questions? Don’t be scared to contact hosts or info@essexheritage.org

Enter if you dare… Essex County’s mysteries await! 🏚️⚰️

The Importance of Trails & Sails 

Essex County’s heritage isn’t just historic—it’s haunted with stories that refuse to stay buried. Through Trails & Sails, brave souls can explore thousands of spine-tingling heritage sites where the past still whispers through shadowy corridors and moonlit graveyards. Essex Heritage knows that once visitors experience these chilling encounters with our county’s most mysterious locations, they become lifelong guardians of these ghostly treasures. From phantom-filled mansions to spectral shipwrecks, Trails & Sails ensures that every age can discover—and help preserve—the supernatural side of Essex County’s darkest secrets.

Visit the Trails & Sails website https://trailsandsails.org/events/ to find more haunted tours, paranormal exhibits, and ghostly experiences near you as well as discover over 200 free events from September 13-28, featuring historic house tours, maritime adventures, outdoor excursions, and community celebrations throughout Essex County’s federally designated National Heritage Area, showcasing the region’s rich shipbuilding heritage, colonial history, and scenic coastal landscapes.

Essex National Heritage Area is a proud member of Creative Collective. For more information about Essex National Heritage Area, please visit: https://creativecollectivema.com/meet-the-member-essex-heritage/.

This story comes from the Creative Collective community – Essex County businesses who believe that when we thrive together, our whole region becomes more vibrant. We’re entrepreneurs, creators, and service providers across all industries, collaborating to build the community we want to be part of. If you see your business as more than just commerce – as a way to contribute to our regional ecosystem – you belong here. Discover how to join our community →