Connecticut Launched New Haunted History Trail

The state has unveiled a new tourism initiative featuring 130 sites highlighting colonial witch trial history.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Seasonal Events

Screen-print poster illustration of an ancient stone wall in a misty forest with an iron lantern, evoking Connecticut history. — Connecticut has unveiled a new Haunted History Trail featuring 130 historical sites related to the state's 17th-century colonial witch trials. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Connecticut has introduced a new Haunted History Trail that maps 130 locations across the state to spotlight local legends and historical events. The initiative aims to drive tourism by sharing stories of early colonial life, including the state's own witch trials.

Why it matters

The project supports small businesses and local attractions while educating the public on Connecticut history that predates the famous 1692 Salem trials. It builds on recent state legislative efforts to recognize those affected by historical witchcraft accusations.

The new trail organizes 130 locations into nine categories to guide visitors across the state. This follows a year where Connecticut recorded 72.2 million total visitors.

The players

Connecticut General Assembly

This is the state legislative body that adopted House Joint Resolution 34 in 2023 to address the history of witchcraft accusations.

Alice Young

She was the first person executed for witchcraft in the American colonies in 1647.

The details

Visitors can use a curated trail map to explore sites linked to the state's 1647 witch trials, an era that saw at least 34 people indicted and 11 executed. Hartford serves as a focal point for the initiative, which highlights the case of Alice Young of Windsor, the first person executed for witchcraft in the American colonies.

Witch trials began in Connecticut in 1647.
The Salem Witch Trials began in 1692.
The Connecticut General Assembly adopted House Joint Resolution 34 in 2023.
The state recorded 72.2 million visitors in 2025.
Connecticut announced the Haunted History Trail on September 22, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This initiative follows the pattern set by House Joint Resolution 34, which formalizes state recognition of historical events. It represents a growing trend of states leveraging historical accountability to diversify their seasonal tourism offerings.

Tourists can access the full list of 130 historical sites by utilizing the newly available state trail map. The initiative provides a structured way for residents and visitors to explore regional history throughout the autumn season.

The takeaway

The Haunted History Trail offers a tangible way for travelers to engage with the complex colonial past of the state. Visitors are encouraged to use the digital mapping tools provided to plan their routes across the nine designated geographic categories.