Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe

06/07/2026

At Black Cat we are more than co-workers, we are a family of curious souls, creative minds, and of course furry companions. Let’s meet another member of the family and her furry babies!

Olivia is our crew captain. She is the one that makes sure our crew and shop have a smooth and safe journey every shift! She guides her fellow crew on tasks, and greets every guest with a smile and cheerful demeanor, while answering questions and educating everyone about our many curiosities!

Olivia has two adorable kitties. Lucy, the mostly white one in the photos came to the family 6 years ago, and Baby, the tabby, came shortly after, 5 years ago. These two sweet cats are out and proud as a pair of females who love each other very much! Happy Pride to everyone, no matter what species! 😻🏳️‍🌈

06/05/2026

What's Happening In Salem This Weekend!

It's the Salem Arts Festival! And so much more! Have a wonderful weekend folks!

Friday, 6/5:

*PEM Pals: PRIDE (a reading of the book I Love You Because I Love You written by Muợn Thị Văn), 10:30am - 11:30pm, Peabody Essex Museum

*Salem Arts Festival Kick Off and Tiny Art Spree, Derby Square, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (For full schedule, please visit: www.salemartsfestival.com )

*Queens at the Castle, 6pm - 10pm, Hammond Castle Museum, Gloucester, MA (21+, admission at door)

*Sunset Paddle Tour, 6:45pm - 8:15pm, Salem Willows

*PEM Presents: The New York Neo-Futurists: The Infinite Wrench (13+), Peabody Essex Museum, 7:30pm - 9pm (free but ticketed event)

*Miz Diamond Wigfall Friday Night Drag, 8pm - 10pm, Bit Bar (no cover, 21+)

Saturday, 6/6:

*Salem Arts Fest, 10am - 5pm, All along Essex Street

*Salem Arts at the PEM, 10am - 5pm, Peabody Essex Museum (Free admission to the Peabody Essex Museum on June 6th!)

*Zero Waste Salem’s FREE Swap ‘N Drop, 10am - 1pm, Salem Common (Rain date June 13th)

*Historic New England Open House, 11am - 4pm, Historic New England’s Phillips House (visit www.historicnewengland.org for more information on all 38 open sites!)

*Beep Baseball Exhibition Game in Salem, MA!, Adaptive Sports New England & Boston Strong Beep Baseball, 11:30am, Salem Common

*Salem Honk and Wave for Democracy Weekly Standout, 12pm - 1pm, Riley Plaza

*PEM Presents: The New York Neo-Futurists: The Infinite Wrench (13+), Peabody Essex Museum, 7:30pm - 9pm (free but ticketed event)

*S*x and the City Cider Launch Party 1pm - 8pm, Far From the Tree Cider

*Tortellini Making Class, 4pm - 6pm, Deacon Giles Distillery (ticketed event)

*Native Plants in City Spaces talk presented by Grow Native Massachusetts & City Councilor Kyle Davis, 6pm, 285 Derby Street

*Sunset Mission, Dhärä, & Mutineer at Felt Fanatic, doors at 6pm, show at 7pm, Felt Fanatic (ticketed event)

*POMP26: Party on the Marsh Plaza presented by Salem State University Alumni Association and Foundation, 6pm - 10pm, 71 Loring Ave (ticketed event)

*4th Annual The Lipsync Smack Down, 7pm - 10pm, Hotel Salem (ticketed event)

*Live Music - Blues on Tap, 8pm, Gulu-Gulu Cafe

*Decade 80s Pride Night in June, 9:30am - 12:30am, Koto Asian Fusion

Sunday, 6/7:

*34th Annual HAWC Walk and 5K Run, 8:30am, Salem Common

*70+ Used Bike Sale, 10am - 3pm, 164 Federal Street, Salem

*Salem Arts Fest, 10am - 5pm, All along Essex Street

*S*x and the City Cider Launch Party, 2pm - 8pm, Far From the Tree Cider

* PEM Reads: Starry and Restless: Three Women Who Changed Work, Writing, and the World, Peabody Essex Museum, 2pm - 3:30pm (free but pre-registration is encouraged)

*Visita Guiada en espanol: Edmonia Lewis, 2pm - 3pm, Peabody Essex Museum (ticketed event)

*Drag Brunch - Diamonds Dine in w/ DJ Maxine Harrison, 2pm - 4pm, Gulu-Gulu Cafe

*Matt in the Mix Sunday Night Karaoke, 9pm - 11:45pm, O’Neill’s Pub

Experience the 18th annual Salem Arts Festival, June 5-7, 2026! Enjoy free art exhibitions, live performances, music, and family activities in historic downtown Salem, MA. Join 10,000+ attendees celebrating local creativity.

06/01/2026

Here at Black Cat, we recognize that Pride isn't only about who you love, why you love them, or what you identify as. Pride is about ANYONE who feels like they are not being seen.

What does "being seen" mean?

It means recognizing that some people have spent part of their lives hiding pieces of themselves out of fear, judgment, rejection, or misunderstanding.

This isn't an experience everyone shares.

Many people have never had to wonder whether being honest about who they are would cost them friends, family, opportunities, or safety.

Pride exists because many others have.

So please, try to understand that Pride is not about "shoving it in someone's face."

It's about celebrating the extraordinary relief that comes from no longer feeling alone.

It's about standing beside others who understand what it feels like to be afraid of being seen for who you truly are.

And a chance to free yourself from that.

Wear your rainbows Proudly my friends.

You deserve it.

05/31/2026

At Black Cat, we're more than coworkers, we're a family of curious souls, creative minds, and, of course, beloved furry companions! We'd love to continue introducing you to the people who help make Black Cat what it is.

Meet Clever, our Magister of the Multiverse!

If you've admired one of our house-made curiosities or unique magical items, chances are you've seen his work. As an extraordinarily talented costumer and crafter, Clever is one of the main sets of hands behind much of our growing collection of curious and magical objects, as well as his own hauntingly beautiful Ghost Portraits and handcrafted jewelry. With an endless supply of imagination and attention to detail, he helps bring a little more wonder into the shop every day!

Meet Dandelion!

Named after the bard from The Witcher, Dandelion first arrived in Clever's household as a foster through the MSPCA. With more than 25 years of fostering experience, the family opened their home to help a cat in need. What they didn't expect was how quickly Dandelion would make herself indispensable.

It wasn't long before "foster cat" became "family."

Today, Dandelion is a constant companion during Clever's creative adventures at home, supervising the crafting of curiosities, inspecting works in progress, and providing the occasional feline opinion whether it was requested or not.

Like many cats, she firmly believes quality control is best conducted by sitting directly on the project.

Adventures of Clever

05/30/2026

It is a very blustery day out there! Our shop will be open as close to normal as we ever get, and our tours this evening will be running as scheduled, but we will not be operating our day tours for the safety of our guests.

Stay safe, and enjoy Salem's complimentary Dark and Stormy afternoon! 😸☔

05/29/2026

This Weekend's Adventures and Events in Salem!

Friday, 5/29:

Drop-in Art: Wet-Felted Snakes - 3pm - 4:30pm - Peabody Essex Museum

73 Duster - Live Music! - 5pm - The Landing at Salem Ferry

Friday Night Drag - 8pm - 10pm - Bit Bar

Tiny the Bear, Dylan Patrick Ward, Yes Chef! - Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm - 11pm - Gulu Gulu

Saturday, 5/30:

NAGLY Pre-Pride Kick Off Drag Show - 2pm - 5pm - St. Peter's Church

Bridge Street Neck Community Yard Sale - 9am - 2pm - Bridge Street Neck

Korean Paper Accessories with Jongkuk Lee - 11am - 3pm - Peabody Essex Museum

Open Studios at Gallows Hill Artists - 11am - 6pm - Gallows Hills Artist Studios

Finding Ourselves in Salem’s History: A Poet in High Street Park - 12pm - 1:30pm - The Pickering House

Drop-in Art: Star Maps - 1pm - 3pm - Peabody Essex Museum

The Downhauls, Silver Screams, Bad Idea USA, The Angry-Las - 1pm - Bit Bar

Craig Bee at The Village Tavern - 3pm - 6pm, The Village Tavern

Dylan Moore’s Not So Sure (music) - 5pm - 8pm - East Regiment Beer Company

Sips by the Sea - 6pm - 10pm - The House of Seven Gables (ticketed event)

A Spirited Evening Connecting with the Other Side, 7pm - 8:30pm - Celestial Navigation, Astrology, & Wellness - 254 Essex Street (ticketed event)

Rockwood Taylor at Gulu Gulu! - 8:15pm - 11:30pm - Gulu Gulu Cafe

Clippertones at Mercy Tavern - 9pm - Mercy Tavern

DEAD DISCO: A Dark Disco, Goth/Post Punk Dance Party - 9pm - 12am, Koto Asian Fusion

Sunday, 5/31:

Goat Yoga w/ Salty Buddah - 10:30am - 11:30am - East Regiment Beer Company (ticketed event)

Polish Fest - 12pm - 6pm - Notch Brewery

Goat Hangout w/ Mapledell Farms - 12pm - 2:30pm - East Regiment Beer Company

Pet Adoption Event! - 12pm - 1:30pm - Far From the Tree Cider

Diamond’s Dine In w/ DJ Maxine Harrison - 2pm - 4pm - Gulu-Gulu Cafe

Vivaldi Symphony by the Sea - 2pm - 4pm - Peabody Essex Museum (ticketed event)

Pub Singing: Sea Shanties and more! - 3pm - 5pm - East Regiment Beer Company

Mystery at the Garden Party - 4pm - 7pm - Salem Athenaeum (ticketed event)

Open Mic Night - 5pm - 7pm - Couch Dog Brewing Co

Lisa Marie, Johnny Juxo & Brian Cogger at Dire Wolf - 5:30pm - 8pm - Dire Wolf Tavern (the Hallowed Ground Speakeasy)

Matt in the Mix Sunday Night Karaoke - 9pm - 11:45pm - O’Neill’s Irish Pub

***

With SUPER thanks to our friend and crew member Em, who is a rockstar for compiling these every week!

Please let us know if you have anything to add or need to make changes to a posted event!

The weather may be a bit unpleasant this weekend, so there are tons of indoor activities available!

05/24/2026

Here at Black Cat we are a close knit crew. Let's introduce you to them and their furry families!

Lisa is our "Minster of Engagement!" She's here to help answer questions about our tours, make bookings, and help folks plan their trips. She's a long-time local, so is a great resource both in the shop and on social media for questions about where to go, and what to see and do!

She has just adopted a beautiful black cat named Tanith Lee. Welcome to the family Tanith!

(We aren't sure why the post says "AI Info" by the way 🤷)

05/22/2026

Looking for things to do in Salem this weekend?

We're going to be posting a weekend events round-up every week going forward! You can always stop by our shop window on Washington Street to see event flyers for what will be happening around town (please come by to bring flyers if it's in Salem!) but these posts will focus on the upcoming weekend! Let us know if you've got an event in town to promote!

Keep an eye on this space every week!

Friday - 5/22:

Stained Glass Workshop - The Lost Library - 5:30 - 7

Drop-in Art: Wet Felted Snakes - PEM - 3 - 4:30

Experience El Punto: Food Shops and Art tour - Punto Urban Art Museum - 11 - 2

Drag Night - Bit Bar - 8pm

Karaoke - Deacon Giles - 8 - 11
Brutal Burlesque - Koto - 9pm

73 Duster (live band) - The Landing at Salem Ferry - 5 - 8

Saturday - 5/23:

Salem Native Nursery Plant Sale - 17 May Street - 10 - 1

Salem As A Muse: Lucy Cleveland, Author & Textile Artist - PEM - 10 - 12

Drop-In Art: Star Maps - The PEM - 1 - 3

Sober Sip & Paint - The Satanic Temple - 6 - 8

DARQ - Koto - 9:30pm - 1am

Vampire Lounge - Tipsy Cowboy After Dark - 8 - 12

Sunday - 5/24:

Music in the Atrium: Sound Bathing Pop-Up - PEM 11:30 - 1:30

Diamonds Drive In (Drag Brunch) - Gulu Gulu - 2 - 4

Stitching at the Wharf - Salem Maritime National Historical Site - 2 - 4

Live music with Judes & the Hutch - Far From the Tree Cider - 2 - 5

Karaoke Night - O'Neils Pub - 10pm - 1am

This Sunday is ALSO the re-screening of the pilot "Witch City" at Salem Cinema with some local street performers in attendance if the weather cooperates! 7 - 9

05/18/2026

If These Stones Could Speak — by Daniel Fury

There’s something important we don’t talk about enough when it comes to Salem’s history:

There is a pattern of surface research on many articles and books about Salem that take advantage of an ever growing fascination with our fair city, and forget the massive amount of time and effort put in by the foundation builders of recorded Salem History. People like Marilynne K. Roach, Mary Beth Norton, Emerson Baker, Margo Burns, Benjamin Ray, Jim McCallister, and many more like them, continue to work on creating a persistent tapestry of historical resources that benefits every generation that will follow.

Daniel Fury, co-owner of Black Cat Tours and Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe, spent over a decade researching Salem’s Charter Street Cemetery (The Old Burial Point), as the existing research materials in mainstream publication and available access were unfortunately incorrect, or lacking in any detail.

Using original records, long days in the City Clerk’s office, Salem Library, and local historical archives, scanning and translating nearly illegible records into a consistent resource, and countless hours cross-referencing fragments of history that had been overlooked for generations, we pulled together a staggering amount of information.

Together, we helped uncover over 400 interments that had not been properly documented in hundreds of years, and created one of the most complete burial indexes tied to existing city records.

His work has even contributed to how the Charter Street Visitor Center presents its history today, helping shape the way visitors understand one of Salem’s most important historic spaces.

We truly appreciate the commentary from our readers:

“An extraordinarily researched book that has delved deep into the history of the burials in the Old Salem Burying Point - I wish that more towns had someone who could work as hard as the author has to document life in more towns across America.”

“Compiled from many sources and checked against extant gravestones and vital records, the burial index is the most comprehensive list yet.”

“A thorough presentation of all the history behind the graves in the Old Burying Point cemetery and more.”

If These Stones Could Speak stands as the first complete book ever written about the Old Burial Point, its history, its people, and its cultural impact on the visitors who walk its paths every year.

Because when you work directly with the records,
when you walk the grounds day after day for a decade, when you commit years of your life to getting it right, it shows, and it helps everyone who follows understand what it truly means to bear the burden of telling history, and carrying those stories of those who came before, accurately, and well.

We are concurrently working on the next two books in this series, on Howard and Broad Street Cemeteries, with hopes to tackle Harmony Grove!

If you are interested in our books, they are available in our shop, at The Charter Street Welcome Center and several other locations in Salem, as well as online on Amazon, and soon on our own upcoming Webshop!

Daniel is very often available for conversations about Salem’s history at Black Cat, and on our tours, including an in depth, one hour intimate walking tour of Charter Street Cemetery, with a reminder that our tours are ALWAYS free to Salem Residents and people who work here!

05/11/2026

Our position on Generative AI:

At Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe, we believe deeply in human creativity.

Artists, writers, musicians, photographers, prop makers, designers, craftspeople, historians, performers, and storytellers are part of what gives the world texture, meaning, and soul. Their work deserves support, protection, attribution, and fair compensation.

As generative AI continues to develop, we’ve spent a great deal of time discussing where we stand ethically. While we recognize that AI tools can have limited positive uses in areas like accessibility, research, organization, and education, we are uncomfortable with the growing replacement of human artists through systems trained on enormous quantities of creative work without meaningful consent, credit, or compensation.

Because of this, we are taking a stance to promise that we will NEVER use generative AI imagery or writing in our products, advertising, or artistic offerings.

We invite anyone to call us out if we lapse in this. As much as we pride ourselves on identifying it, as AI improves, we know this will become more difficult. We select our artists based on existing work and skillsets, but quite honestly, we tend to believe the best of people, and there is always the chance we'll be bamboozled!

This is not a statement against technology, nor against thoughtful discussion about AI and its future. It can be an incredible tool for research and organization especially, and we hope to drive its ethical use going forward. It is instead a statement in favor of living and past creators, human craftsmanship, and authentic artistic voices.

We also believe it is important to keep perspective and nuance in these conversations. The environmental impact of AI is very real and worth discussing, but it exists within a much larger landscape of industrial, and -personal- energy consumption. Our concerns are centered primarily on ethics, labor, originality, and the preservation of human creative spirit and culture.

Black Cat will continue striving to be a place shaped by people: imperfect, imaginative, weird, heartfelt, and human.

We promise we will continue doing our best to support the artists and creators who make this world more magical, and encourage the curiosity that drives the soul to make this world a better, more exciting place.