Salem Historic Murder Trail: Deep Dive into the Pivotal Joseph White Murder Mystery

Dive deep into the details of the pivotal Joseph White murder mystery on the Salem Historic Murder Trail. Explore Salem’s history and learn photography tips to capture iconic sites.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Salem Old Town Hall - Join award-winning photographer Chris Padgett and experienced tour guide Rebecca Johnson for a fascinating exploration of Salem’s most notorious murder. The death of aged sea Captain Joseph White was not just a personal tragedy to the families involved. It was a sign of the times that Salem’s identity as a wealthy and successful seaport was sinking into the horizon. The story of the murder became an international sensation and influenced authors Edgar Allen Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Dive deep into the details of a true crime murder mystery

Get personalized help taking beautiful photos of iconic Salem sites

Gain understanding of a pivotal time in Salem history

Discover how to use new settings on your camera or camera phone

  • Old Salem Jail Lot - We will journey back in time to the Old Salem Jail. This is an outdoor activity only.
  • Howard Street Cemetery - This is an outdoor activity only.
  • Peabody Essex Museum - Your guide(s) will discuss the importance of the PEM. We do not go inside the museum.
  • Gardner Pingree House - We will dive deep into the Murder of Joesph White at the location of this location. This is an outside activity and we do not enter the Gardner Pingree house.
  • Salem Common - We visit the Salem Common.
What's Included
  • Professional Licensed Guide
  • Photography Lesson
What's Not Included
  • Gratuity not included
  • Bring your own DSLR camera or smartphone to capture amazing photos!
Additional Information

A walking tour and photography workshop in one!

Experience a fascinating, in-depth exploration of Salem’s most notorious murder with a local guide. Along the way, a local photographer will help you get some great images of the beautiful historic sites you visit.

Join award-winning photographer Chris Padgett and experienced tour guide Rebecca Johnson for a fascinating exploration of Salem’s most notorious murder. The death of aged sea Captain Joseph White was not just a personal tragedy to the families involved. It was a sign of the times that Salem’s identity as a wealthy and successful seaport was sinking into the horizon. The story of the murder became an international sensation and influenced authors Edgar Allen Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

**Bring your DSLR camera or Cell phone with extra batteries for this tour!

Dive deep into the details of a true crime murder mystery. Take a walk with us!

  • Children must be accompanied by ticketed adult
  • Our Tours run rain or shine, we do not cancel for weather. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress accordingly.
  • Dog friendly!
  • Wheelchairs and scooters are welcome, however, be aware that salem has brick sidewalks, uneven surfaces and narrow areas. Visitors assume all responsibility with wheelchairs and scooters and WCWT will not be held liable.
  • We do not enter any buildings or cemeteries on this tour, this is an outdoor activity only.
  • Tour group size may be up to 39 guests per group
  • There are no public restrooms on the tour route. Please plan accordingly.
  • By choosing to purchase a ticket, you and your ticketed guests will be agreeing to our liability waiver which includes a release of liability on our tours as well as a photo release.
Location
32 Derby Square
Derby Square
Group will meet at the Old Town Hall on the side that has three sets of stairs and three green doors
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(7 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
G1317aulaurenn
Oct 26, 2023
Great tour - Cody was very funny and good at storytelling. I also did the history and hauntings tour. They overlapped a tiny bit, but it did not matter because you learned different details from each person. I recommend doing both, for sure. I am grateful I got to learn about the important history with the one tour and get spooky with this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bennettandyp
Apr 9, 2023
Fantastic journey through Salem's history - The photographic journey through the streets of Salem. Rebecca did an awesome job. She"killed" it!!! Great immersion into some of the dark history they makes three town famous.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bwiseman4
Apr 8, 2023
One stop shop for history and memories! - Really enjoyed this experience! I’m just a hobby photographer AND I love a good murder story. This tour combines both of those things. I received guidance on how to get the most out of my camera while also learning WHAT I was taking a picture of. Rebecca and Chris are really onto something with this. I hope when I come back to Salem there are more of these set up. You get the tourist stuff, history stuff, AND photos to remember it all. Brilliant. 10/10 will do again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephanieks2232hz
Apr 3, 2023
A captivating tale! - This tour is one-of-a-kind! Rebecca is a master story teller. The story is captivating and well thought out. Combining the photography element makes it that much more unique! I walked away wanting to learn more!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Harmonl537
Apr 3, 2023
A different side of Salem - Very fascinating tour! Everyone knows Salem for the witch trials, but here is an equally complex and tragic murder mystery that sounds like it comes straight out of an Agatha Christie novel. Rebecca does a great job delivering the back story (and leaving you hanging at the end of each stop), and Chris made even a helpless photography noob like me take some professional looking pictures (a minor miracle). Bring your camera and your detective's notebook, you'll need both on this one.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W5280elpaulac
Apr 2, 2023
Joseph White tour - I can't stop thinking about this tour .So much so I went home and did additional research. Such a complex multi faceted story. I appreciate the depth of knowledge the tour guide had. I also LOVED the photography component to this tour as well. My " smart "phone and I have a whole new way of framing a picture to make it so much more interesting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ashleyfp6252yt
Apr 2, 2023
Highly Recommend Murder Mystery Tour! - This tour was great! It was interesting to hear details about a different time in Salem history and see the buildings that related to it. I enjoyed how the tour guide set the tour up as a murder mystery, and every stop gave you more clues! I was impressed with the knowledge the tour guide provided, and how passionate she was about the information she was sharing. The other aspect of this tour was the photography. It was so helpful having the professional photographer give the group guidance on how to take the best photos of the beautiful architect that Salem has. I would highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor