YouTube – CTOldStateHouse
Filmed on October 22, 2013, this video is a part of Connecticut’s Old State House Conversations at Noon series. State Archaeologist Nick Bellantoni discussed the New England Vampire Panic and how historical and archaeological research uncovered early America’s widespread belief in the “undead.” A panel discussion explored Connecticut’s aggressive prosecution and execution of accused witches between 1647 and 1663, decades before the famous Salem witch trials. Lisa Johnson, executive director of the Stanley-Whitman House, shared her expertise on the trial of accused Connecticut witch, Mary Barnes; and Dr. Larry Goodheart, who recently authored the book The Solemn Sentence of Death: Capital Punishment in Connecticut, recounted the stories of 11 people put to death for witchcraft in Connecticut. The program was moderated by CT-N’s Diane Smith
– Funding for the program provided by Connecticut Humanities