Read History with Tori: "The Devil in the Shape of a Woman" ~ no registration

Join our Special Collections Librarian for a book group all about history!

Meeting the last Friday of the month, this group will meet to discuss books that examine our nation's early history and beyond. In the Trustees Room.

Our October Book is "The Devil in the Shape of a Woman: Witchcraft in Colonial New England" by Carol F. Karlsen, available to pick up at our Circulation Desk.

"Confessing to "familiarity with the devils," Mary Johnson, a servant, was executed by Connecticut officials in 1648. A wealthy Boston widow, Ann Hibbens was hanged in 1656 for casting spells on her neighbors. The case of Ann Cole, who was "taken with very strange Fits," fueled an outbreak of witchcraft accusations in Hartford a generation before the notorious events at Salem. More than three hundred years later, the question "Why?" still haunts us. Why were these and other women likely witches―vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft and possession? Carol F. Karlsen reveals the social construction of witchcraft in 17th century New England and illuminates the larger contours of gender relations in that society."

No Registration Required. Questions? Contact VkhhdGNoZWxsIHwgTGFuY2FzdGVyTUEgISBnb3Y=.

https://thayermemoriallibrary.org/programs/

You may also like the following events from Thayer Memorial Library:

• Next Tuesday, 21st October, 04:30 pm, Snapology: Combat Robots ~ ages 7-14 ~ registration required in Lancaster
• Next Wednesday, 22nd October, 04:00 pm, Rad Kid Comic Club ~ ages 6-9 ~ no registration in Lancaster
• Next Sunday, 26th October, 04:30 pm, Halloween on the Green 2025 in Lancaster

Also check out other Meetups in Lancaster.