With its towering brick façade, the Salem Witch Museum is one of the more prominent and well-known features in downtown Salem. Located across from Salem Common, the building used to serve as a church, but has been home to the museum since 1972. Visitors gather in a large room, while the stories of the Witch Trials come to life around them. The presentation uses narration and illuminated scenes built into the walls to highlight the many characters and interactions that took place. In addition to this main exhibit, the museum has recently added a new feature called Witches: Evolving Perception. It discusses many different aspects of witchcraft, including the social context of the 1692 hysteria, as well as modern interpretations of the craft.