New England's Other Witch Hunt: The Hartford Crisis of the 1660's with Dr. Walter Woodward

PRLog (Press Release) - Sep. 24, 2012 - Come and join Dr. Walter Woodward as he brings the events surrounding Hartford’s terrifying and deadly witch panic to life.  Dr. Woodward will explore of the context, actions, and consequences of this horrific event that occurred a generation before the Salem witch trials.  Why did people believe in witches? Why were most accused witches women?  How could people be so afraid of witches’ powers that they were willing to kill their neighbors?  How did the Hartford witch hunt change witchcraft prosecution in Connecticut and in New England?  You’ve always known about Salem…now learn about the rest of the story.

Since 2004, Dr. Walter Woodward has served as Connecticut’s State Historian.  He is also an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Connecticut.  Prior to earning his Ph.D. in history in 2001, he had a successful career in advertising which earned him eight Clios, the advertising equivalent of the Oscar for “the best radio commercial in the world.”  Dr. Woodward is the author of Prospero’s America: John Winthrop, Jr., Alchemy, and the Creation of New England Culture, 1606- 1676.   He has contributed historical articles to the New England Quarterly, The William and Mary Quarterly, and the Organization of American Historians Magazine of History.  

All Oliver Wolcott Library events are free and open to the public.  Space is limited.  Registration is required and can be done by calling 860-567-8030 or logging onto www.owlibrary.org and clicking on Programs/Adult Programs.