Pirates 'Attack' Salem’s Pioneer Village July 24 and 25!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2010

Media Contact:
Jo Kadlecek
Office of College Communications
978.867.4752
[email protected]

SALEM, MA—Residents and tourists can expect to see some of New England’s most notorious sea-robbers in two days of family adventure when they step into the 17th Century at Salem’s Pioneer Village July 24 and 25 (2010, that is).
 
“Pillage the Village: Pirates Invade Salem!”—a special event for the entire family—features a treasure hunt, period music, sword fights and more. Co-sponsored by Pastimes Entertainment and Gordon College’s History Alive!, “Pillage the Village” will be held July 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and July 25 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can wear pirate finery for adult and children’s costume contests, bring a picnic for the day, or join a pirate crew while witnessing the chaos of the Salem village under ‘attack.’

Famous pirates (local actors) from New England’s past, such as Captain Ned Low, “Black Sam” Bellamy and even Lynn’s Rachel Wall, the last woman hanged on Boston Common, will be on hand as visitors plot with Salem’s colonial residents to take back their town in “The Secret Heroes Meeting.” Whether watching thrilling swordplay or listening to songs of the sea from period musicians, the sights, sounds and even smells of an authentic 17th century town are a perfect summer outing. With all proceeds going toward the continuing restoration of the Village, admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students, seniors and military (with ID) and $6 for children 4–12.

“Pioneer Village is the ideal setting for this pirates-day experience,” said David Stickney, Pastimes’ Creative Director. “The 17th century structures, the wooded areas and the seaside location are the perfect spot to feel like you have wandered into another time or onto a movie set. Of course, encountering pirates around every corner will bring our guests right into the story!”

Managed through Gordon College’s Institute for Public History, Pioneer Village is America’s oldest living history museum, built for the 300th anniversary of the founding of Massachusetts in 1930. It features thatched cottages, the colonial governor’s “Fayre House,” and even an English-style “wigwam.”

Pastimes is the producer of the popular New England Pirate Faire and the Castle of the Damned at Hammond Castle. History Alive!—the professional theatre arm of Gordon College in Wenham, MA—produces Cry Innocent: The People Vs. Bridget Bishop and Spiritways, among many other productions.

“We are thrilled to be working with History Alive! on this project,” says Stickney. “As the caretakers of the Village, they are truly revitalizing one of the historic gems of the North Shore.”

For more information, please contact Kristina Wacome Stevick, artistic director of History Alive! at [email protected].

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