Ghosts are a hot commodity here in the historic Hudson Valley. While the quiet town of Sleepy Hollow has taken pride in being a historical destination of legendary haunts, it has been slow to catch on elsewhere.  Historic sites are now recognizing that ghostly legend nights are in high demand. Interests in ghosts have reached its all-time high with the surge in ghost shows on cable. According to Wikipedia, the show Ghost Hunters has gained SyFy’s highest programming ratings.  Haunted History on the History Channel is more my style. I am drawn to history and legends and feel fortunate that I can experience all these ghost stories right here in my own back yard, which led me to recently visit three prime destinations for a good ghost story. Historic Huguenot Street, Clermont Historic Site, and Olana State Historic Site are destinations all with its own unique flavor of haunts once the witching season rolls around.

Historic Huguenot Street

Huguenot Street in New Paltz, NY is famous for its ghost stories. This being one of the oldest settlements in the Hudson Valley, Huguenot Street is a step back in time. Quaint stone houses line the street dating back to the 1700s. If walls could talk, what stories would they tell? Here is your opportunity to find out.

During the month of October, Historic Huguenot Street becomes Haunted Huguenot Street. This popular street tour immerses you into the dark spookiness of the community blending legends with rich history. At each stop there is a story to tell from the child murders of Maria Deyo to the violent axe murder of Daniel Hasbrouck. You will visit burial ground that dates back to 1723 and hear stories of visiting ghosts whose bodies were laid to rest there. The Hugenots believed that the body was put to rest, but the soul moved on. I don’t want to give the entire tour away. Is your interest peaked? I hope so.

Captain Kidd and Janet Montgomery courtesy of Clermont Historic Site

Clermont Historic Site

Clermont Historic Site is the former Livingston estate located in Clermont, NY; established in 1728. This historic site hosts Legends by Candlelight Spook Tours, an old fashioned Halloween celebration with five generations of ghosts from Clermont’s past. According to Kjirsten Gustavson, Curator of Education at Clermont Historic Site, they have had to add more tours due to popular demand.

Unsuspecting visitors find that they have been invited to Halloween party for young sisters Janet and Honoria Livingston circa 1921; however, they have arrived too early.  When they are invited to see the rest of the house while their hosts finish getting ready, a séance goes wrong, and six generations of Livingston ghosts fill the house.

Gustavson says that some favorite ghosts reappear each year.

“For instance, the ghost of Margaret Beekman Livingston, who died suddenly in the dining room in 1800, chases guests out of the room, believing them to be ghosts at her dinner party.  Captain Kidd, a pirate with ties to the Livingston family, Irish servants, separated spouses, and deceased Revolutionary War heroes have all made appearances.”

I don’t want to spoil all the fun, but beware as you stroll through grounds by lantern.

Olana State Historic Site

Olana State Historic Site

Olana State Historic Site is a magnificent Persian-style home located in Hudson, NY that was designed by Hudson River School artist, Federic Church. Olana sits high on a hill with magnificent views of the Hudson River and the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. A work of art in itself, Olana serves as a historic site and state park that offers many educational opportunities. I can’t think of a spookier place to learn about ghosts.

Last year’s fall event focused on Ghosts and the Victorians. According to Carri Manchester, Director of Education, spiritualism was an integral component of Victorian society and literature. “Even the widowed Mary Todd Lincoln visited the noted spirit photographer, William Mumler, to have her photograph taken with the late President.”, states Manchester.

This event focused around what makes a ghost Victorian and how spirit photographs were made.  And if that was not enough to peak your curiosity about ghosts, guests were escorted a moonlit walk to hear ghost stories written by Frederic Church’s friend Amelia Edwards.

Information on events and visiting these historic sites:
Three historic sites—three eerie experiences. We can’t wait until the fall season approaches to experience all the ghostly riches of the Hudson Valley. These events are growing in popularity, so make reservations early on. We hope to see you at any of these ghostly events. Please check our calendar for a listing of events and activities at these historic sites and others.

Huguenot Street
http://www.huguenotstreet.org/

Clermont Historic Site

http://www.friendsofclermont.org/

Olana State Historic Site
http://www.olana.org/

Sources:

“Ghost Hunters -.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 27 Mar. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunters>.

Patchett House

Montgomery, NY— On a chilly fall evening we arrived at the Patchett House located in Montgomery, NY, which is now home to the Wallkill River School for Artists. The Patchett House is a Colonial style home built in the early 1800’s that once served as an inn, a personal residence, and a funeral parlor that holds an unsolved mystery.  This haunted house has its share of  ghost stories from personal accounts to investigative reportings. This would be my first ghost investigation experience and being a fan of Linda Zimmermann’s Ghost Investigator series, I was curious about her experiences. I had no expectation of what the events the evening would hold. Let’s just say at times, the chill I felt was not from the cold.

Patchett House is a beautifully restored home that feels warm and cozy. I was warmly greeted by the Director, Shawn Dell Joyce. Shawn was delightfully clad in period attire suitable for a haunting. There was an impressive turnout for this event. We grabbed our complimentary copy of Ghost Investigator Volume 9 Back from the Dead, sampled some tasty treats from the kitchen, and admired the works of art that covered the walls of the entrance way while we anxiously waited for Linda to present her findings. You could clearly pick out the skeptics in the room, but that is what makes these events so much fun.

It’s Presentation Time!

Linda’s enthusiasm and sense of humor radiates throughout her presentation. You can’t help but absorb her excitement for the unknown. Having lived in the Hudson Valley all my life, I was excited to learn about these haunted destinations that were within my reach in the surrounding area. Linda shared the experiences of her team’s recent investigations of the Tamarack Inn, Iron Island, O&W Train Station, Cliff Park, Patchett House, and The Columns all  located within driving distance of the Hudson Valley.

Ghost Investigator 9

We sat at the edge of our seats intently listening as Linda shared her knowledge of her connections with the spirits that remain tied to these locations. The most memorable stories are the incidents at the Tamarack Inn, The O&W Train Station, and The Columns.  The Tamarack Inn’s tumultuous past of drugs, suicides, and accidents that contributed to 157 deaths is a prime setting for a haunting. A dark, mysterious figure engages Linda and she immediately goes into hot pursuit. As the aggressive game of cat and mouse continues, she is unsuccessful at capturing the image that any ghost investigator would want to claim rights to—a shadowy image on film.  The O&W Train Station, also known as the Rusty Nail Restaurant, dishes up a ghostly prank that costs her a 25-cent toll, which takes place at the hand of a spirited apparition determined to make his substantiated presence known. Finally, a visit to The Columns gives Linda a hair-raising experience as phantom fingers run through her tresses. The spirit continues to aggressively show her who the mistress of this realm is. This active specter calls Linda out in an intense way.  This spirit desperately wants to communicate the fact that she knows Linda  and is determined to prove it.  After a series of encounters with this  female ghost, Linda put the pieces of the puzzle together and is guided to a file cabinet where she retrieves an  article that bares her name. I think that is a fantastic example of a unique ghost investigation.

The most chilling experience was a photo that Linda shared with us that she deemed to be her best ghostly image taken at a home in Pamona, NY.  There were 2 photos shown. The first photo was of a dimly lit room.  The second photo was of the same dimly lit room with a huge, dark, shadowy figure within it.  It reminded me of the large ghostly shadow of a huge monster in a Scooby-Doo cartoon only real.  It was extremely disturbing and sent a chill down my spine. The crowd in the room gasped in amazement, and had I been the one taking the photo, I would have been running for the hills! I think the entire crowd felt the same way. This photo and story can be found in Ghost Investigator Volume 6 Dark Shadows.  At this time, I was feeling a little uneasy knowing my next move was heading down into the former embalming room.

The Patchett House Hauntings

Embalming Table

As stated earlier, Patchett House was an inn and a personal residence before it was a funeral home. In 1977, the funeral home director mysteriously vanished and the house was vacant for more than 20 years.  Know one knows what happened to the man. This remains an unsolved mystery today.  Maybe the rumored ghosts that inhabit the embalming room of Patchett House scared him away.

Linda shared her findings of her previous investigation, she clearly described the activity that occurred in the embalming room.  A mounted motion activated camera generated blurred images, which could only have happened if something or someone was moving the cameras. The camera produced an irregular shadow within the image. Good to know as  we enter through the Bilco style doors of the basement!

The first thing you notice when you enter the dark, dank,  room is the embalming table, which looks like nothing more than a triple sink. There is a slight chemical odor. This is where the bodies were laid out and the draining and embalmed occurred. You would think that there would have been more sophisticated equipment used even in the 1970’s.

EMF Demonstration

Linda demonstrated how the EMF (Electromagnetic Fluctuation) monitor works while trying to detect changes in energy in the room. She clearly explained how you can get irregular readings due to cell phone and normal electrical interference. We did get a few short readings on the meter; nothing significant. No one should have the expectation that you can walk 25 people into a room and have an experience. In my opinion, if something is going to happen to you, it will be very personal.

We then ventured back upstairs where Shawn Dell Joyce, the Director, continued the tour. Shawn is very passionate about Patchett House and its history. Shawn shared some of her experiences in the home. She explained that at one time she and students heard a phone ringing; an old-fashion bell-type ring. There is an old phone in the house, but it was not connected.  There have also been issues with lights being turned on and off and when no electricity was connected in the house. Repair men have actually walked off jobs after working in the basement claiming they felt something down there with them.

Shawn fondly spoke of the ghost of Emma who was born and died while living in Patchett house. It was her only home. She lived through the late 1800’s and passed in 1976 at the age of 97 years. Once a Patchett family member drove past the house and just happened to look in the window of the second floor and was shocked to see his Aunt Emma looking out. You see, Emma had been deceased for quite some time. Emma is also particular about her house. If she doesn’t like the doors and windows open, she will let you know about it. She will just close them for you. There is one room is the home that is Emma’s room. It is a shrine to her memory as she was a very caring and generous woman. Shawn feels very comforted by her presence and feels that it is her spirit that protects her ancestral home and she will not leave it behind.

No Souvenirs

The lecture and tour of the Patchett House was very informative and interesting. Linda Zimmermann is an engaging and dynamic speaker. One thing I will always remember is her clear warning to “Never bring anything home with you!” That means spirit or otherwise.

The Patchett house is a beautiful, well-preserved home that serves as an educational institution for artists.  I am certain that Emma is proud of that fact. Visitors to Patchett House have sensed and even visualized the presence of a woman in the home. I don’t think Emma ever left her domicile.  This strong presence of Emma could signify a deep love for the home in which she lived in for 97 years.  Maybe she just doesn’t want to leave it behind, but we would have to.  It was time to venture home.

I was exhausted from our trip and the mind does play tricks.  I rolled into bed and slept soundly.  I woke up at about 5:30 a.m.  The light was on in the hall. I was certain I had turned it off. It would have kept me up all night if I hadn’t.  I hope Emma didn’t reconsider and follow me home!

www.ghostinvestigator.com

Learn more about Patchett House

www.wallkillriverschool.org

Tarrytown, NY—Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, NY is the theatrical setting for Collinwood, the mythical estate in the Dark Shadow movies. And while Dark Shadows had its fair share of spooky elements and unearthly events that Lyndhurst can’t quite hold a candle too, there are a few instances that make Lyndhurst a little out of the ordinary.

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East Bedroom

In the first movie, The House of Dark Shadows, we learn that Barnabas Collins went to England in 1797. It would be another forty years until Philip Paulding began construction on what would become Lyndhurst, and another 132 years until the movie was released in theaters nationwide.

While the Paulding family was wealthy and prominent political figures, by 1864 they fell on hard times and were forced to move out of their gothic revival style home. They passed it furnished to George Merritt. Merritt made grand improvements to the property, building a massive wing and the three story tower. After his death, his wife sold the estate to Jay Gould. Lyndhurst remained in the Gould family until 1961 when the current owner, Anna Gould who had become the Duchess Talleyrand Perigord through marriage, gifted it to the National Trust so it would remain a historic property.

Rear Exterior of Lynhurst

One of the most key (and extremely rare among historic homes) features of Lyndhurst is the furnishings. As each family moved out, they left their furniture and trinkets behind, leaving us with a rich historical account of the lives and deaths of those who once lived there. This must have also been a great attraction to location scouts for Dark Shadows, as many scenes show items which are still in the house today. Any visitor to the estate will recognize desks, beds, vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, trompe l’oeil painted walls, gothic doorways and more from the movie. Dark Shadow’s fans will also recognize the carriage house, children’s playhouse, rose gardens, green house and other out buildings on the property.

While the grounds, mansion and internal furniture are beyond beautiful, one can’t help but wonder if the movie’s producers were attracted to its macabre curiosities. Was Dark Shadow’s shot at Lyndhurst only for the spectacular visual appeal, or was there another connection?

The library at Lyndhurst is one any bookworm would be jealous of. Thousands of volumes line the shelves and a combination of Gould’s and Merritt’s furniture make cozy reading nooks throughout. George Merritt was an avid reader, and mostly choose weighty topics to fill his library. Records show that he had requested the purchase of tomes on history, travel, nature and poetry. But if you look closely, you can find one solitary shelf with a few different topics. A Treatise of Specters, Travels of the Jesuits, Witchcraft, Christian Dogmas and more helped educate Merritt on the more “occult” side of life.

Another connection between the vampires of Dark Shadows and Lyndhurst is the painting Wallachian Caravan in Winter by Adolph Schreyer. This oil on canvas painting depicts a traveling line of pack horses and their handlers navigating through the snowy mountains. The Wallachia region is a mountainous area, conveniently located just south of Transylvania. While horses were a very common theme in his work, most of Adolph Schreyer’s paintings were entitled with the focus on Arabs. We found only one other mention of Wallachia in his work. Was this piece brought into the house purely for it’s Transylvanian connection?

Then there are the stories of the bizarre. Anna, the Duchess Talleyrand Perigord, was an animal lover and very much attached to her three Pekingese dogs. As each pooch passed on she had it interned in it’s own dog sized lead coffin. She never quite knew what to do with the coffins and they remained in the house for some time. Finally, knowing she couldn’t just keep them lying around the house, she had the coffins moved outside and they were placed on saw horses by the children’s play house, Rose Cottage. They remained there for years before they were finally moved to an unknown location. May the Pekingeses rest in peace.

Rumor has it that at least one someone isn’t resting in peace at Lyndhurst. We got a secret tip about an unexplained event in the home. One quiet evening at the estate as our mystery guest was working alone in the house, he passed through what used to be the servant’s dining room. As he walked up a short set of stairs he felt the presence of someone behind him. He turned to greet his follower and he found that no one was there.

Who was with him in the servant’s dining room that evening? Was it a family member of the Paulding, Merritt or Gould family’s who each enjoyed their time in their majestic castle like home on the Hudson River? Was it one of Anna’s dearly departed pups? Or maybe it was Barnabas Collins come back from England!

Photo Album

Photo Credit: Donna Davies/Haunted Hudson Valley

Watch it online at Amazon Video on Demand.

Plan your visit to Lyndhurst:

Lyndhurst
635 South Broadway
Tarrytown, N.Y. 10591
(914) 631-4481

www.lyndhurst.org

Fishkill, NY— The line of screamers large and small anxiously waited for the ticket booth to open as the dense fog hovered over Skull Island Scream Park. We hesitantly made our way through the entrance always ready for the unexpected. At least that’s what I thought until the tallest creature I have ever seen trailed behind us!  We had a long night ahead of us with a lot of attractions to cover and it’s too early in the night for me to be on edge one minute into our adventure. At Kevin’ McCurdy’s Skull Island Scream Park , you can experience the unnatural from zombie attacks to perfidious pirates to mysterious magicians and we can’t forget to mention the killer clowns.

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Killer Clowns

I have a deep aversion to clowns. Maybe because I have watched Stephan King’s It to may times. In short, clowns are creepy. As you enter Skull Island, you will feel the excitement of being at a carnival, but then you suddenly realize that this is not your everyday run of the mill carnival. There is something seriously amiss here. You are entering the “Killer Clown Carnival”.  As you stroll through the carnival booths there will be one that you can’t help but gravitate too. It is the creepiest thing I have ever seen. A spooky little girl in the Candy Shoppe will temp you with her sweetness, but beware. The technique used to produce her is impressive to say the least.  Don’t stand there too long or the Killer Clowns will come for you and they will get the last laugh! In an attempt to avoid these ghastly clowns, we where ushered into a tent to watch a magic show.

The Magic of Jonathan Frost

I am a skeptic and not easily impressed with magicians, but Jonathan Frost’s magic show is very engaging and entertaining. I had the pleasure of removing a very large nail from his nasal cavity.  An experience I will not soon forget. Do not miss his show.  He is highly praised by his colleagues and visitors alike.  What can top that you say? Well, it’s on to the Ghost Ship.

We are huge fans of Pirates of the Caribbean and this may be as close as you can get to being aboard a pirate ship in the Hudson Valley. This attraction was great fun. The scene was effortlessly set for this attraction. The moon was full. The fog hung low around the ship lit only by torches in the sand.  The façade was amazingly detailed and the actors where very much in character as we roamed though the bowels of the haunted ship. Our personal favorite was the interaction with the Pirate Captain. What ever you do don’t touch his gold!  We got out alive, but could we survive the next attraction?

Creatures of the Night

There was a line at Zombie Island, so we thought that was a good place to explore next.  A government experiment gone wrong will get you into trouble every time. . I was having a LOST flashback except we were dealing with zombies and goo and not “the others” and black smoke. Pay attention as you watch the TV news and be sure read the sign as you enter or you may not live.  Your main goal is to get off the island alive and uncontaminated by the zombie goo.  Things get a little chaotic and all your senses are tested here. Don’t test the guards they are a little jumpy. Just keep moving and you will get out alive. That is if you don’t get axed on your way out. So be prepared to SCREAM.

We survived Zombie Island and headed toward Dr. Oddley’s Sinister Freak Show. This is a 3D attraction. Here you will interact with Dr Oddley’s specimens including his very attractive mother-in-law. The brightly painted murals really pop, but I had never seen 3D make up before. It provided a very unique effect with the glasses.  Be prepared to lose your bearings here. We just a little on the dizzy side on the way out.

We had an amazing time at Skull Island Scream Park. We were there for hours. If you want to go to an attraction that is family affordable, this is where you will get the most value for you money. When you visit, you will feel the excitement of the crowd as you move through the park. Not only is the crowd having a great time, but the actors are too. The staff is friendly, courteous, and talented.  You can sense that they have a real dedication and passion for what they do. Here’s a tip for you for when you visit. When you think you are alone in the dark walking through the park, you’re not.

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Planning Your Visit

Visit Skull Island Scream Park on the Web for details on how you can experience this fun-filled haunted adventure.

Do you text? Get a discount coupon by sending a text message to Haunted411 to 91011.

If you are looking for a great family-fun night, this is the place for you. You can feel the excitement in the air as soon as you arrive. The crisp chill in the air, the creepy atmosphere and the enthusiasm of the staff instantly makes the spectators all fast friends as you await your demise. Believe me you don’t want to take this tour alone! We screamed and laughed until tears ran down our faces.

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The Flashy and Fabulous Ashley

The tour started with the magic of Ashley who will entertain you with a purpose so pay attention. I warn you this tour is highly interactive, so keep on your toes at all times or you will not get out alive! Next, we had the pleasure of meeting the curator of the Seville Theater who shared the chilling tale of how ventriloquist Damien Novello became famous by making a deal with the Devil. The curator is man small in stature, but large in personality and wit. We continued to travel through the Seville in a small group. We immediately decided we did not want to be the first or the last bodies to enter the room and for very good reason. You see, Damien Novello needed to collect souls and I was keeping mine. I wanted to be prepared for what was coming.

The Seville Theater Ticket Booth

We cautiously continued through the theater. The atmosphere was very spooky and the props where perfectly placed. I really felt as if I were in an old, run-down theater. We made our way from room to room never knowing what to expect. We met a host of both scary and comedic characters. There were too many experiences to describe, however the character meeting that was the most memorable was the poor girl was had her leg hacked up and was screaming bloody hell for us to help her so we could save ourselves. One of our group members had to retrieve her bone though a process that cleverly resembled the game of Operation by Hasbro. I was so impressed at the attention to detail and the logistics that was put into the crafting of this tour.  At times, I felt as if I were in the movie SAW, an episode of CSI, or a Stephen King novel.  And just when you think it’s over…It’s not!

After leaving the Seville, we met up in the Baron’s Boneyard where we meet face-to-face with the evil Baron who wanted to bury us alive. Don’t worry; there is a new coffin ready and waiting for each of you. If you survive the Baron’s test, you will be set free to make your escape through the cemetery. Watch out for the others who were not so lucky. Don’t let them trap you. If you make it, you will be put to work in the Demons Keep! It is important to keep the evil at bay. If you succeed, you will be freed. But, you must run like the devil because there is nothing better than being chased by a chainsaw wielding murderer!

Whew! All that excitement made me thirsty. You can get some “mean-cuisine” at Frank-n-Stein, an appropriately themed concession stand. You can miss the giant Frankenstein sign bearing his name. I highly recommend the Peppermint Hot Chocolate mounded with whipped cream and sprinkles to top off the evening.

I enjoyed warming up with my hot chocolate as I watched the illusion show staring Ryan Dutcher. As a tribute to his late ventriloquist grandfather, he is determined to find out how he was murdered by recreating the night of the crime. What happened you ask? You will have to see for yourself.

Photo Album:

Planning Your Visit

Visit Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion on the Web for details on how you can experience this fun-filled haunted adventure and don’t forget to stop in Wicked Jack’s Trick or Treats shop.

Follow the Haunted Mansion on Facebook and on Twitter

Do you text? Get a discount coupon by sending a text message to Haunted411 to 91011.

If you like the Haunted Mansion, be sure to visit Skull Island Scream Park in Fishkill, NY.

Have you been to Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion? What did you think?

Do not reproduce this article without permission.

Is there anyone out there who is not familiar with the legendary tale of Ichabod Crane’s clash with the Hessian trooper who continues to fight his battle after death? This is one of my all time favorite ghostly Hudson Valley ghost tales. If you are not aware, you can tour Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and trace the infamous ride of Ichabod Crane.

Read about my visit to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Be sure to visit the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Web site.  The site  is beautifully crafted with stunning photos and tons of  great information. They have just updated the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery tour schedule for 2010. They are offering day and evening tours. Night tours are guided by lantern. How spooky is that?   Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Tours are scheduled throughout October.

Advanced reservations are required.

Please be sure to check their Web site for tour information. I know I’m getting my tickets now!

Learn more about The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – Washington Irving

(*This tour is not affiliated with Haunted Hudson Valley. Please be respectful of the mourners who have family at this location.)