One of the most barbaric episodes of American history lies in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

During a 13-month period, more than 200 people were charged, 150 were imprisoned, 14 women and five men were hanged to death, and one man was crushed to death.

Justice went awry, as fear and superstition conquered the rule of law.

Joseph Garrera, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, has announced the museum will re-create an authentic Salem Witch Trial, with one performance at 1 p.m. and a second performance at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 26.

This event is funded in partnership with the Pennsylvania Tourism Office.

“This is true history, deadly community hysteria, and the crucible of darkness,” Garrera said.

Museum officials want the public to experience facts that are more frightening than fiction.

“This is a stain on American history so dark it can never be cleansed,” Garrera said.

Based on official transcripts and historical facts from an actual trial that convened in Salem, Mass., in 1692, museum officials have re-created an authentic courtroom scene similar to those of the 1690s.

Visitors will discover and experience for themselves why the witchcraft trials were a colossal and tragic mistake.

Aside from studying historical records in preparation for the trial, museum officials conferred with witchcraft experts in Salem.

“This event is based on actual testimony and real facts as they occurred in Salem, Massachusetts more than 300 years ago,” Garrera said. “We want to give the public a sense of reality — to experience what these men and women endured as their lives were destroyed when they were subjected to the charge of ‘witchcraf.’”

Those attending the historical re-creation of the trial will hear testimony and decide the defendant’s guilt or innocence for themselves.

Event admission is free to Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum/Lehigh County Historical Society members.

There is a fee for adult and children nonmembers.

This program is not suitable for young audiences. Parental discretion is advised.

This event is made possible by grant funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.

The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum is a teaching institution that attracts a diverse audience.

Its collections of historical Americana, located primarily at its headquarters, the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown, include over 35,000 three-dimensional objects, 3 million documents and more than 200,000 vintage photographs.

Museum hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays.

Regular admission is free to members and children under age 3.

For more information, go to lehighvalleyheritagemuseum.org or Facebook or contact Joseph Garrera at 484-553-2592 (cell) any time or at 610-435-1074.