Albany, NY—I’ve never been one to really get into politics. I have a few public issues that I support or I am highly against, but the overall political scene was never really my thing. When I heard about the haunted tour of the New York State Capitol Building, I was instantly intrigued, probably more because it is a historic location that was actually revealing in its haunted nature instead of shying away from it. The governmental nature didn’t really play a part in my decision to drive to Albany.

By the time I arrived at the visitor’s center, I wasn’t expecting much. I had just spent the past 45 minutes driving circles around downtown Albany. When I finally pulled in to the parking garage I was greeted by a State Trooper questioning my expired registration.  He let me go. I let out a sigh of relief as I parked my car and grabbed my notebook, I was just happy to be out of the car. I had no idea what to expect, as long as it didn’t involve driving it would be fine.

I certainly wasn’t expecting the grandeur of the architecture in the Capitol building and the expanse of ghostly inhabitants. As the tour began, we passed through security and trekked down a short tunnel from the main concourse into the Capitol itself. As we rode the escalator up to the grand floor, a sweeping gothic style building came into view. Sloping arches, remarkable stone carvings and intricate woodwork were everywhere throughout the building. If you are a looking for the setting of a haunting, you would certainly find it in the New York State Capitol Building in Albany, NY. The $25 million and 25 years it took to build the Capitol Building were well worth the expense as the building creates a very creepy backdrop for haunting behavior, something right out of the creepiest horror movie.

The Curse of the New York State Capitol Building

According to legend, the New York State Capitol Building is haunted by more than just high taxes and it may have been a curse that cost the lives of the spirits that roam the halls. Stoneworkers designed stunning carvings throughout the entire building. Keep an eye open and you will see owls (known as omens of death), bats, gargoyles, devilish goats, serpents, and hundreds of other mystical beings. It is the intricate stonework in particular where we see the start of the alleged curse. Legend has it that a stone carver, angered by his boss, cursed the building and created a secret sculpture hidden within the organic filigree. Search the border on the wall opposite room 174 and you can find a tiny demonic face.

State Senate Assemby, Library of Congress

How many victims has the curse claimed?  The tour guide told of two stories in particular which seem more plausible than others.  The original ceiling of the Assembly was a grand cathedral design with arches and hand- painted murals. The ceiling was made entirely of limestone and over time it started to decay beyond repair. An unfortunate design flaw or was it part of the curse?  A new drop style ceiling was installed in 1888. During this time Cormac McWilliams was a foreman on the project. As he was overseeing the progress, one day an unfortunate accident caused him to fall from the scaffolding to the story far below. While he did survive the initial accident he passed away a few days later.

It was here, in the Assembly, that we heard a few tales from another Capitol employee who happened to be working in the expansive room as our tour passed through. When someone in the group asked him if he heard things he said, “Of course, all the time. It happens so often you just ignore it.” He then went on to tell us about his pekepoo dog who often visited the building. She just refused to go up the Great Western Staircase. Instead of scampering up like she would any other staircase in the building, she would simply sit at the foot of the stairs and bark, whine and stare at an unforeseen entity. Perhaps she was frightened by the ghost of Cormac McWilliams as he continued to oversee the work in the building.

Great Western Staircase/Photo Credit: Jim Logan

Skeptics of the paranormal can quickly find faults in this story. While legend has it that Cormac McWilliams died in 1888 his tombstone in a local cemetery marks his death 11 years earlier. Maybe a mistake was made in the carving of his tree stump style grave marker or maybe he really had died in 1877, and was working at the capitol from beyond the grave!

Probably the most viable story of curses and hauntings at the New York State Capitol Building is that of Samuel Abbot. In 1911, a fire broke out and decimated the upper floors of the massive building. The only fatality that cursed day was Samuel, a night watchman in the library. His body was burned beyond recognition and he was only identified by his pocket watch. Since his death, a translucent full body apparition has been seen in the hallway where his body was found. The sounds of jingling keys, doors locking and lights being turned off have all been heard in the area. Maintenance workers and other staff have refused to work in the area after having experiences with Sam. If the curse killed Samuel, is it also the curse that keeps him walking the halls, doing his rounds night after night?

Perhaps there is a curse on the building, or maybe it’s just an old building with a lot of history. Investigate these and other tales at the Haunted Tour of the New York State Capitol Building that runs during the month of October. Traditional tours run throughout the year.

If you go, bring your Albany maps, an up to day car registration, your enthusiasm and your camera. You never know what you will run into, maybe the ghost of Samuel Abbot or a pooch scared of a particular staircase.