Misc. Weird/Paranormal Articles

Paranormal Blog – “Hunt For Ghosts Galore on an Albany Road Trip | Haunted History Trail Of New York State”

In looking for new sites to repost worthy paranormal info and articles from, I found this site that recommends certain places in the New England North of the United States that looked awesome and had some great pictures to go with it. Each Tuesday for a while, I’m going to repost their blog articles here to share along with others.

Haunted History Trail of New York writes:

New York State Capital Hauntings

Surrounding our state capital, in the Greater Albany area, there are establishments holding history that will intrigue… and frighten you. From the spirits that haunt the New York State Capitol to tours through a district that was once the site of a terrible massacre – it seems that spirits and spooks can be found around every turn. 

Start your getaway with a stay at this haunted inn:  

Historic Hotel Broadalbin

Historic Hotel Broadalbin | Broadalbin, NY

This beautiful hotel holds unsettling history—once known as the Keeley Cure inebriate hospital, where inhumane “treatments” were performed to cure alcoholism. Causing pain, blindness, even death, this facility was eventually shut down, but its unfortunate patients still remain. Book an overnight in the hotel or enjoy a meal at its 1854 Pub & Eatery, where you can ask the staff about their own experiences with the paranormal. 

 

Visit these nearby locations for a guided tour or seek out the spirits on a ghost hunt:  

Eerie Albany Ghost Tours | Albany, NY

Hosted by Discover Albany, embark on a guided tour to learn about the ominous spirits that haunt buildings of Downtown Albany. You’ll hear about the souls that venture through the area from the other side, including a ghostly figure that lingers past closing time at the historic Olde English Pub. Tours are available by appointment, March-October. 

New York State Capital Hauntings

New York State Capitol Hauntings Tour (Fall Only) | Albany, NY

In the New York State Capitol, you’ll find more than a century of legislative history in the walls of the 19th-century architectural grandeur. There are also sinister mysteries of the past that are waiting to be discovered, including the building’s most notorious carvings and the deadly fire of 1911. Take a tour and learn more about its spirits, legends, folklore and tales of unexplained occurrences connected to the historic State Capitol. Tours offered in the fall only, September-October. 

 

Schenectady’s Historic Stockade District

Schenectady’s Historic Stockade District | Schenectady, NY

Every neighborhood has a past… The historic stockade district was once the site of a bloody massacre in 1691, and what followed were stories of more killings, curses and hauntings in almost every building on the street. Take one of two guided ghost tours—the “Colonial Hauntings” or “Ghostly Victorian” tour—and more about these stories. Private candlelight tours can be booked year-round by reservation.  

 

Fulton County Historical Society

Fulton County Historical Society | Gloversville, NY

Through its collection of artifacts that span from the earliest years of the county through 2018, visiting this museum is a wonderful way to learn about the history of Fulton County. It’s also a place where spooky occurrences have been captured by paranormal teams from around the state. Museum volunteers and staff have stories of their own, including already closed doors slamming shut and a model train operating on its own accord. 

 

For private ghost hunts and tours, add this location to your trip:  

The Knox Mansion

The Knox Mansion| Johnstown, NY

This once lavish mansion has 42 rooms, an elevator, grand staircase, and a solid lava ash fireplace that was imported from Italy. And with all that grandeur, it also has a few ghosts. Built by businessman Charles Knox, the home is said to be haunted by his wife Rose, among others. Call ahead to investigate the hauntings through guided historical and haunted tours. Special events are also held throughout the year.

All information and pictures come from https://hauntedhistorytrail.com/blog/hunt-for-ghosts-galore-on-an-albany-road-trip.

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Paranormal Blog – “Artifacts, Exhibits, and Apparitions: Six Must-See Museums | Haunted History Trail Of New York State”

In looking for new sites to repost worthy paranormal info and articles from, I found this site that recommends certain places in the New England North of the United States that looked awesome and had some great pictures to go with it. Each Tuesday for a while, I’m going to repost their blog articles here to share along with others.

Haunted History Trail of New York writes:

“Hidden among the historical artifacts in exhibits across New York are the spirits of lives long past. At the Saratoga Springs History Museum, these spirits resemble the elite upper class that once resided in the town. At the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse, NY, these are the orphaned and immigrant children, many of whom died through tragic boating accidents or by drowning in the waters of the canal. And at the Dr. Best House & Medical Museum, you’ll find a time capsule from the earliest form of medicine, with medical apparatuses that will turn your blood cold… 

Six spooky locations along the Haunted History Trail contain these treasured memories. Curious to learn more? The spirits are happy to help you explore their living history.

Historic Palmyra WM. Phelps General Store and Historic Palmyra Museum

Lovingly dubbed “the most haunted place in the Finger Lakes,” over 190 years of activity have been recorded at the Historic Palmyra WM. Phelps General Store and Historic Palmyra Museum. But it should come as no surprise – the stories that come out of this location are tragic, devastating, and downright shocking. One story tells of a fire that ravaged the building just before Christmas, claiming the lives of seven family members, including a mother and her children ages two to eight years old. Another involves a murder, a man stabbed to death – though the details regarding who and why are still unknown.

If you want to learn more, you need only ask. The museum isn’t shy about letting visitors seek out its spirits and offers ghost hunts seven days a week with a minimum of four people. The old General Store is sure to intrigue and fascinate, but it’s only the beginning. Whispers fill the air, guests have been known to feel a touch or poke, and the young family who passed still comes out to play from time to time…

Museum of Wayne County History

Also found in the Finger Lakes is a museum whose reputation proceeds it. William Fee was the only man ever hanged in Wayne County, but to say was laid to rest in 1860 is simply not true. The jail operates today, not as a penitentiary, but as the Museum of Wayne County History. All 24 cells remain, and so does William Fee – his ghost is known to walk the cellblock to this day.

Ghost hunts and paranormal investigations are available by appointment, and guided historical tours are offered daily. See the 13 rooms of exhibition space and immerse yourself in the past, visit a seasonal Carriage House, see the original inmate artwork that still decorates the walls of the jail, and set foot in the very spot where Fee took his last, living breath.

Erie Canal Museum

In Syracuse, NY, things get eerie on the Erie Canal. Listen closely and you might hear a pair of arguing men who never seem to settle their ongoing debate, tromping through the 150-year-old hallways of the Erie Canal Museum. Or catch a glimpse of a woman, killed where the model canal boat now sits. Or see a group of see-through children playing in the courtyard – perhaps happier now in death than they ever were in life.

Docent-led history tours include the recounting of paranormal activity that occurs, or the facility can be rented for private events. Erie Canal history tours are available daily. Whichever way you choose to experience this stop, you’ll be sure to have a tale to tell about this monumental waterway.  

Starr Clark Tin Shop & Underground Railroad Museum

The Underground Railroad is engrained in one of America’s darker moments in history – and its significance comes to life at Starr Clark Tin Shop & Underground Railroad Museum. Abolitionist and tinsmith Starr Clark hosted meetings and gave refuge to African-American slaves in the building where the museum now stands. Many artifacts remain from that era and might just be the cause of the unusual activity that mysteriously happens there. Paranormal investigators have found the site to be “very interesting,” and others have reported shadows, voices, and the feeling of being touched.

The museum is now open by appointments only. Please call 315-963-7853 to book a guided tour or paranormal investigation. 

Saratoga Springs History Museum and Historic Canfield Casino

At the Saratoga Springs History Museum and Historic Canfield Casino, unusual events were once sporadic and infrequent. But after the opening of an antique clothing exhibit featuring garments from Saratoga Springs’ most influential families (now all deceased), activity increased – exponentially. The Walworth family in particular had a tumultuous history and could be the cause of it all – from an abusive marriage, to a scandalous divorce, and eventually, a murder.

Guests visiting the museum have seen full body apparitions of a woman in Victorian-era clothing, objects moving on their own, the smell of cigars, carpets pushed against doors in locked rooms, and a hostile presence on the third floor. Just come and see for yourself. The museum offers pre-scheduled ghost tours from June through October and is open year-round for self-guided tours and exploration.

 

Dr Best House & Medical Museum

This Victorian house and office has witnessed many a death in its lifetime, including that of Dr. Best, his beloved son, and young wife. It should come as no surprise that investigators have captured recordings of distant voices, those souls still lingering from the beyond. Visit, and hear the tales of deaths and misfortune in this small, rural community with original obituaries, photos and death certificates.

Guided historical haunted tours as well as professional investigations are available by reservation. Special events are often held throughout the year, sharing the ghostly happenings at this haunted home with guests. 

Explore our website for information on guided tours, ghost hunts, and public and private investigations. Or call these must-see museums directly for tour times or questions about haunted happenings.”

All information and pictures come from https://hauntedhistorytrail.com/blog/artifacts-exhibits-and-apparitions-six-must-see-museums.

 

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Paranormal Blog – “Bites & Boos: 4 Spooky Spots to Sink Your Teeth Into | Haunted History Trail Of New York”

In looking for new sites to repost worthy paranormal info and articles from, I found this site that recommends certain places in the New England North of the United States that looked awesome and had some great pictures to go with it. Each Tuesday for a while, I’m going to repost their blog articles here to share along with others.

Haunted History Trail of New York writes:

“At four spooky stops on the Haunted History Trail of New York State, it’s best to make a reservation – but be sure to save an extra seat for an unexpected guest. At our haunted restaurants, the main attraction isn’t always what’s on the menu. It’s the stories behind the buildings – tales of murder, fires, crimes, and more. You might find it hard to enjoy a meal in peace. The spirits are restless, and looking for a little attention…

Red Coach Inn

When The Red Coach Inn, a Niagara Falls USA historic hotel and B&B, opened its doors for business on August 30, 1923, Niagara Falls had finally gained a hostelry befitting its rank as the “honeymoon capital of the world.” 

Red Coach Inn is home to a few ghosts – including the bride and groom who took their lives on their wedding day. Ask the staff about the ghost stories or experience them for yourself; guests of the historic hotel have reported seeing jewelry move across dressers, hearing music playing in the middle of the night, and the sound of people walking and dancing above them when they are already on the top floor.

 

Union Tavern

This New England-style tavern offers delicious food, cold drinks and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Perhaps too welcoming of an atmosphere… as there have been sightings of a ghostly woman standing by the fireplace and men in the building’s basement. The Union Tavern owners have felt cold spots throughout the restaurant and smelled the scent of cigarette smoke in specific parts of the room. Doors open on their own and whistling can sometimes be heard from upstairs. You may even get touched on the arm or shoulder when no one else is around.

Mysteries surround the property, which was originally purchased in 1819 by a rumored ex-pirate. Since then, it has been a leg of the Underground Railroad, a residential summer home, a speakeasy during Prohibition and finally, a few iterations of a restaurant.

While you dine at this haunted tavern, ask the staff for history of the area and the unusual occurrences that have happened in the building.

1867 Parkview Inn

The 1867 Parkview Inn began as a hotel and restaurant and has operated as one or both of these for over 150 years. With so many souls passing through its doors during that time, one can only imagine the stories this historic building has to tell. It was restored to its former glory as a hotel in 2019 and now features nine rooms decorated with a historic theme and furnished with simple amenities for a comfortable stay.

Although most guests rest easy through the night, owner, Beth Johnson, has plenty of stories to tell. Bells ring and objects move in empty rooms in the restaurant. Legend has it that a small girl perished in a fire and a room with evidence of fire damage was uncovered in a sealed room during the renovations. Although the renovations have turned the spooky upper floors into a cheerful place to stay, paranormal investigators and ghost hunting groups have received signs that spirits are walking among the living at the 1867 Parkview Inn.

The Bull’s Head Inn

The oldest building in Cobleskill, NY has quite the history – one that is well-known by the owners of the Bull’s Head Inn. It was burned twice in battles during the French and Indian War, then served as town hall, courthouse, and meeting space, and eventually, a private residence. But it seems that one person in particular – Mrs. John Stacy – is the cause of all the trouble at this Central New York restaurant. Mrs. Stacy was a fierce anti-alcohol advocate, and has been known to knock over glasses, throw napkins about, and toss silverware off the tables – making her discontent with the operations known. If you’d like to meet her, you need only swing by – grab a bite, schedule a ghost hunt, or call ahead to request a guided tour of the Bull’s Head Inn.

These four stops are not all the Haunted History Trail has to serve – there are actually several haunted dining opportunities across the state to fill your plate. Navigate our website to find information on hours, opportunities, and spooky stories at each of our locations. Call directly to book your reservation or to get answers your questions. But beware, you don’t want to bite off more than you can chew…

All information and pictures come from https://hauntedhistorytrail.com/blog/bites-and-boos-4-spooky-spots-to-sink-your-teeth-into.

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Paranormal Blog – “Road Trip: Creepy Corners of the Catskills & Haunted Hudson Valley | Haunted History Trail Of New York”

In looking for new sites to repost worthy paranormal info and articles from, I found this site that recommends certain places in the New England North of the United States that looked awesome and had some great pictures to go with it. Each Tuesday for a while, I’m going to repost their blog articles here to share along with others.

Haunted History Trail of New York writes:

“The Catskills and Hudson Valley areas are known for their serene beauty… and spirit activity. A music hall captivates visitors with its ghostly occurrences. An estate is haunted by the lingering spirits of a former resident. And a mansion with an Attic of Curiosities is a horror movie icon’s favorite place to stay. Explore this area and come away with some unforgettable stories. 

Start your getaway with a stay at one of these haunted inns:  

Burn Brae Mansion | Glen Spey, NY
Stay overnight at the Burn Brae Mansion or work alongside expert paranormal researchers during a private investigation. Uncover mysteries in the Attic of Curiosities, book a night in one of the mansion’s suites or stay in the original stables at the Stables Motel. Everyone will have a unique experience here—just take it from horror movie icon Linda Blair: it’s one of her favorite places to visit when she’s in the area. 

 

The Shanley Hotel (The Haunted Shanley Hotel Package or Private Group Package) | Napanoch, NY

Known for its paranormal occurrences, The Shanley Hotel is no stranger to the strange. Book one of two overnight packages—a stay for two in the haunted hotel, a public 4-hr ghost hunt, continental breakfast and time to explore on your own; or a private group hunt and overnight for up to seven people. Visitors have reported cold and hot spots, the sound of voices, music and laughing children… among other things. Book online for package pricing and offer.  

 

King House Mansion at the Tarrytown House Estate | Tarrytown, NY  
Legend has it that Sybil Harris King, daughter of the co-founder of the American Tobacco Company, died on the second floor of the King House Mansion. Her footsteps have been heard in the halls, and strange activity has been reported in room 293—where she took her last breath. Stay overnight at this beautifully restored estate or dine at the Goosefeather restaurant and ask staff to share the mansion’s haunted history.  

 

Enjoy a meal and a spooky tale at this haunted restaurant: 

Silvio’s Villa | South Warwick, NY
Classic Italian favorites are not all that Silvio’s Villa is serving up lately. EVPs, glowing orbs, apparitions and unusual activity are common here—especially for diners at Table 24, said to be the site of a tragic suicide. Stop in for a bite and ask staff to share the tales, or keep an eye out for guided tours, hunts and other haunted special events throughout the year.  

 

Visit this nearby location for strange activity and a unique guided experience:  

Hamlet of Pine Bush: UFO Capital of the East Coast | Pine Bush, NY
There’s nothing abnormal about aliens and UFOs in Pine Bush, NY. In fact, extra-terrestrial enthusiasts have been flocking there since the early 1960s. Over the years, the community has witnessed some serious activities and strange sightings. Pay a visit in June during the Pine Bush UFO Fair & Parade to celebrate all things UFO and aliens or visit the local museum for self-guided and exclusive guided tours.  

 

For private ghost hunts and tours, add these locations to your trip:  

Private Haunted Huguenot Street Tours | New Paltz, NY 
Experience over 300 years of history when you visit Historic Huguenot Street, home to seven 18th-century stone houses, a replica Munsee wigwam, a reconstructed 1717 French church and the original Huguenot burying ground. Take guided haunted walking tours or participate in special programs (summer and fall) to hear stories of past residents who experienced terrible tragedies and encountered apparitions.  

 

The Tarrytown Music Hall | Tarrytown, NY 
This historic venue was the performance home to some of the most talented actors and musicians of its time—and today is home to lingering spirits who believe, “the show must go on!” Book a guided “balcony to backstage” ghost tour to learn the music hall’s history or participate in a small-group paranormal investigation led by the Gotham Paranormal Research Society. 

 

Old Dutch Church Cemetery | Kingston, NY
Dating back to 1658, the Old Dutch Church Cemetery is the final resting place for many – Revolutionary War heroes, politicians, notable Native Americans, and more. Each year, Theatre on the Road brings the stories of the departed to life with an hour-long haunted history program following guides through the cemetery lit by candlelight. Private group tours are also available year-round.”

All information and pictures come from https://hauntedhistorytrail.com/blog/road-trip-creepy-corners-of-the-catskills-and-haunted-hudson-valley.

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Paranormal Blog – “9 Spine-Chilling Road Trip Spots Near Syracuse, NY | Haunted History Trail Of New York”

In looking for new sites to repost worthy paranormal info and articles from, I found this site that recommends certain places in the New England North of the United States that looked awesome and had some great pictures to go with it. Each Tuesday for a while, I’m going to repost their blog articles here to share along with others.

Haunted History Trail of New York writes:

“In the heart of the state lies the Greater Syracuse Area, a spooky centerpiece to our terrifying Trail. Settle into your downtown hotel and start to explore the “frights” of the city—from a haunted theatre to an abandoned quarry, the untold history of the Erie Canal to an offbeat Irish Pub. There’s no telling what you might find.  


Start your getaway with a meal and a spooky tale at this haunted restaurant:  

Wayside Irish Pub | Elbridge, NY 
Sip on a favorite beverage, enjoy delicious pub fare, and make room for guests from somewhere beyond. Staff will tell you all about the ghostly activity found here—apparitions of Sara or Squire Munro, poltergeist-like pranks, shadow figures in the basement, strange touches or pokes. Dig in but hold on to your glass, it might go flying.  


Visit these nearby locations for a guided tour or seek out the spirits on a ghost hunt: 

The 1890 House Museum | Cortland, NY 
According to local legend, the spirits of the 1890 House Museum are the former inhabitants of Cortland’s castle—historical figures who lived and died there. Arrange for a late-night rental of the museum, or a guided ghost-hunting experience. Will you see the silhouettes of figures in the windows or see shadows move about the rooms? 

Erie Canal Museum | Syracuse, NY 
Docent-led haunted history tours include the recounting of paranormal activity that takes place at this 150-year-old building, also the last existing Weighlock Building in America. Visit, and in addition to stories of the canal’s important past, you may find translucent children playing in the courtyard or hear a pair of men arguing near the replica canal boat.  

Seneca Falls Historical Society | Seneca Falls, NY
This 23-room Victorian Mansion was once a grand residence that today houses the Seneca Falls Historical Society. Several spirits are believed to still call it home though—including original owner Edward Mynderse, a former nanny, and a young Irish girl. One-hour guided ghost tours are available by reservation, and group ghost tours are held each October.  

13 Curves on Onondaga Hill | Syracuse, NY 
Haunted by a bride that was killed in a tragic car accident, 13-Curves shares the story of a Woman in White. According to legend, a newlywed couple died along Cedarvale Road on their wedding night, over 60 years ago. Motorists claim to see her still searching for her groom to this day. Take a drive to see if the tale is true. 

Split Rock Quarry | Syracuse, NY 
An unexpected explosion in 1918 brutally killed more than 50 men just outside of Syracuse, at the site of a hazardous munitions plant called Split Rock Quarry. Today, the site sits abandoned in the woods… yet visitors claim activity, including the sound of footsteps, voices, and the revving of the long-gone Crusher’s engine. Explore at your own risk… 

Fingerlakes Mall | Auburn, NY 
The Fingerlakes Mall has been a hotspot for ghost investigators who have recorded over 200 top-notch EVPs (electronic voice phenomenon), and footage of entities roaming the property. Those on-site claim to have been pushed, touched, spoken to, and more. Why are spirits attracted to this mall? Schedule a private after-hours investigation and find out. 

Seward House Museum’s Haunted History Tours | Auburn, NY
Death was a returning and unwelcome guest of the Seward Family during the time of William H. Seward, a prominent 19th-century politician, and Secretary of State to President Lincoln. Join a museum guide as they share chilling true tales of the area and take you down the darkened streets of historic Auburn. Tours are held each October or by appointment.  

The Landmark Theatre | Syracuse, NY 
The Landmark Theatre is one of the most impressive area venues for live productions. It is also known as the home of Clarissa, a young woman who fell from the balcony to her death and still haunts the theatre to this day. Take a guided tour and see if she may come out to greet you. Group investigations are also available by appointment.

All information and pictures come from https://hauntedhistorytrail.com/blog/9-spine-chilling-road-trip-spots-near-syracuse-ny.

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Paranormal Story – “The Old Frail Woman” (Shadowlands)

This article comes from The Shadowlands, reprinted and shared with permission.

The Frail Old Woman

By Norman17@aol.com

My parents recently bought a nice house on 180 acres. The house itself is not that old-built in the 1950s and sits up on top of a large hill surrounded by trees. Just recently, for no apparent reason, we’ve had a rash of strange happenings.

One day, while practicing her piano and becoming quite frustrated with a particular peice, my littlest sister, Monica, heard a voice behind her saying ‘come on Monica, you can do it. Keep trying.’ She turned around to see a frail old woman dressed in black sitting in a lounge chair. Monica screamed and got mom & dad but the lady was gone.

Not a week later, Monica was taking a shower in mom’s bathroom when she happened to glance in the mirrior only to see the large face of this same woman staring at her. One of the reasons I believe that she wasn’t’ lying is because she ran screaming out of the bathroom, naked, into a gathering of my parents friends.

Over Thanksgiving, while saying grace at the dinner table, our china cabinets and everything in our dining room began to shake violently much to the dismay of our entire family.

During Christmas, we thought it would be fun to hypnotize Monica just for play. She started counting, then started skipping numbers and soon was actually in a different state. It wasn’t 30 seconds later that she started screaming at the top of her lungs that ‘She’s going to kill me!!! She’s got a knife!!! Oh my God!!!’ When my dad finally woke her up, she could only remember a lady with red hair chasing her in our house with a knife.

The final blow was just recently. By final blow I mean it finally convinced those non-believers. My father has a favorite leather chair that he sits in day in and day out. It was in close proximity to a window which my mother opened for some air before a rain storm. Dad, worried about his chair getting wet, told mom not to open the window with his chair there or it will get ruined. The next morning, dad was up early for work and noticed that the den had been re-arranged so that his chair was no longer by the window but instead across the room. Dad left for work, thinking that all the kids did this the previous night. Mom woke up to the same thing and thought dad did it. It wasn’t until dinner time that we discovered the room had been completely re-arranged (down to the magazine placements and table leaves) and not by human hands. We figured it was done between 10pm and 5 am in the morning. Not a sound was heard even though the kids’ rooms are directly below the den and the den floor is hardwood. Mom and dad used to brush it off, but not anymore.

See more from The Shadowlands at www.theshadowlands.com.

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Paranormal Folklore – “I Visited a Notoriously Haunted Doll, and Bad Luck Followed Me Everywhere”

It’s not every day that MSN posts an article on a paranormal experience like this. I’ve had it for a little while and got my opportunity to post it. Here it is in full:

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I’m a relatively superstitious person. I would never walk on someone’s grave in a cemetery, I believe in ghosts, and I’m careful to not walk under any ladders. So while I was on my honeymoon in Key West recently and heard about a ghost tour that involved Robert the Doll — a famously haunted doll that brings bad luck to those who visit him — I was pretty intrigued.

For an inanimate object, Robert is pretty well-known. He’s been featured on several TV shows and is even toted around to various conventions that center on the occult. Eager to see what all the fuss was about, my husband, Chris, and I booked a tour with a company called Ghosts & Gravestones, which included a stop at the Fort East Martello Museum where Robert resides. While the tour was awesome, our brief encounter with Robert was . . . less than ideal. Why? Well, because he “haunted” me for about 36 hours afterwards.

In order to understand the full extent of this, it’s important to know Robert’s sordid past. Originally given as a gift to Eugene Otto, an author and painter, by his grandfather in 1904, the two were instantly inseparable. It’s said that Robert the Doll’s outfit was even modeled after one Eugene wore. As a boy, Eugene would often blame the doll for accidents and misgivings, claiming, “Robert told me to do it.” Seems like somewhat normal little kid behavior, right?

According to our tour guide, the real trouble started when a woman who worked for the Otto family was fired abruptly without cause. But rather than packing her bags and leaving, she reportedly used voodoo to put a curse on the doll as a form of revenge. And while it may seem pretty far-fetched to some, others believe it actually worked.

“Once he was put on exhibit, cameras and electronic devices malfunctioned in his presence, and soon letters began arriving addressed to the doll offering apologies for disrespectful behavior or asking forgiveness.”

As an adult, Eugene became an artist. Considered by many to be “eccentric,” Eugene returned to his family home in Key West with his wife, Annette Parker, after they got married in 1930. And despite being an adult, Eugene’s love of Robert never wavered (legend has it that Robert sat right next to Eugene while he painted). Annette obviously wasn’t a huge fan of her husband’s best friend, and vice versa, so once Eugene died in 1974, Annette left Key West. She left Robert behind in the attic of the home, where he was found years later by the home’s new owners. While strange things had often happened in Robert’s presence before – people hearing voices, noises, and other unexplained sounds – it wasn’t until he was donated to the Fort East Martello Museum in 1994 that his less-than-kind attitude went full-scale.

Before walking into the museum to get a peek at Robert, the tour guide gave us some strict rules to follow: you must greet and introduce yourself to Robert; if you want to take a photo of him, you must ask first; and you can’t leave the museum without saying goodbye. While a bit weird, that all sounded doable to Chris and me, so we did as we were told. After snapping a few photos, we learned about what happens to people who don’t follow the rules or poke fun at Robert. A nearby TV showed thousands of letters from people from around the world who experienced terrible luck after rubbing the doll the wrong way.

According to some of the letters, visitors have been met with all kinds of misfortune, from getting burned by hot water to missing their flights to — yep — even getting divorced. “Once he was put on exhibit, cameras and electronic devices malfunctioned in his presence, and soon letters began arriving addressed to the doll offering apologies for disrespectful behavior or asking forgiveness,” says the website. “Letters continue to arrive daily.”

As a respectful visitor, I thought I was off the hook. I followed the rules and was genuinely interested in learning about him. But boy, was I wrong. I made ONE comment about a grown man carrying around a doll, and my fate was sealed. As soon as I woke up the next day, the bad luck began. First, our flight home was delayed. Then, we were forced to rebook our flight because the plane was too heavy, resulting in us having a five-hour layover and getting transferred to another connecting flight. While both of these things were annoying, I also knew they happen sometimes. It couldn’t have been because of a doll, right?

I realized that Robert might actually have had it out for us when we finally landed back home around midnight. The problem? Our luggage never showed up. We were told to go home and that the suitcase was probably on the next flight in. Fast forward to the next morning — still no sign of the bag. And no one on either airline that we used could locate where the suitcase was. It was simply missing without a trace. Frustrated and near tears, we decided to give into our superstitions and write letters to Robert in the hopes of reversing whatever bad luck he gave us and finding our lost bag.

My Letter

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Chris’s Letter

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After sending them, we went to bed and promptly called the airlines at 9 a.m. when they opened. And guess what? We were immediately told where our bag was: back in Key West with an airline we didn’t fly with. While things were still somewhat up in the air, our luck seemed to completely change as soon as we apologized to Robert. Coincidence? Maybe. But do we regret writing letters to a doll just to be sure? Absolutely not!

I had heard of something similar called Pele’s Curse, which is the belief that if you take anything natively Hawaiian ⁠— like a rock or sand —

out of Hawaii, you’ll have bad luck until it’s returned. And if you look into it, you’ll find thousands of accounts from people who did just that and experienced such severe bad luck that they sent the lava rocks back to the island immediately. So, we knew we couldn’t be too careful.

Although I might be pushing my luck writing this story —God knows I don’t need anymore bad juju! ⁠— it’s been said that Robert loves to be the center of attention. Fingers crossed this keeps me in his good graces!

This article comes from https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/i-visited-a-notoriously-haunted-doll-and-bad-luck-followed-me-everywhere/ar-AAFO0ef?li=BBnbklE#image=1.

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Paranormal Folklore – “Straw Hat Man”

This article comes from Castle of Spirits, reprinted and shared with permission.

I’ve been keeping this to myself for really most of my life but an image keeps popping into my memory, an image from my childhood which I had initially blocked out. I sort of believe in the unknown like ghosts and extraterrestrials and stuff but this entity I saw was something I’ve never understood or even knew about until now.

 Let me take you back to 1995 when I first discovered this strange being at my childhood home in Forest Park, GA. It was just a regular day at the house. My dad was at work and my brothers and I were home alone. (Which was a recurring event since babysitters couldn’t stand to be in the house due to strange occurrences that seemed to be ghostly in origin.)

 So yeah, we kind of had a ghost but that’s not the story here. Because as one of my brothers would reveal to me in my adult years, it was all made up. Now, I know what you’re thinking. If he made that up then surely the Straw Hat Man was another myth. My response is: he admitted that he had nothing to do with this image and don’t call me Shirley.

 The reason I don’t believe the Straw Hat Man is a myth my brother created is that I actually saw him. I never saw the supposed ghost and only experienced different tricks that my brother employed to fool me into believing in him.

 Anyway, I was hanging out with my brothers in their room and we were playing games like the Batman game and then we played a card game. And we were talking and just entertaining ourselves while our dad was gone. We liked to play games when we were alone or go into the forbidden dining room where we’d play the piano and play all the vinyl records our dad owned.

 Before we got ready to go to the dining room, my brothers were half way out the bedroom door when I noticed something in the corner of my eye. I went to the window and pulled open the blinds and there he was standing and staring straight into my soul.

 Now, he didn’t necessarily look like a spirit but he certainly didn’t look human. I remember the yellow straw hat, his crooked pale hands, his black pants and I distinctly remember him tipping his hat in my direction. It was chilling. He smiled and then he was gone. It felt like a lifetime that I was looking at him looking at me. My brothers came in at that point and told me to hurry up and I just sort of forgot about the sighting.

 Until a few weeks ago when I woke up from the worst nightmare ever. He was back. He was looking in at me while I was sleeping. It was so meta. He smiled at me. I know what he was doing because I was watching myself sleep and saw him looking at me until he noticed me floating above my body and put his crooked finger to his lips as if to silence me. The nightmare ended when when he reached in to shake me awake.

 After that dream, I found it very difficult to shake what had happened. It was like he seeped back into my subconscious and weaseled his way back into my memory. So I decided to call my brother and ask him about the strange goings on in Forest Park, starting with the ghost. That’s when he told me about making it up just to play with us. Then I mentioned Straw Hat Man and he confessed to also seeing him at a different time when he was alone. I was shocked. I thought I was the only one. But it turns out it was real. He saw him and I saw him and he would tell me if he made it up because he told me about the ghost.

 You can believe what you want but I know what happened. If anyone else has seen this thing (my brother says it’s a shadow man which I don’t believe), let me know in the comments. I really want to find out if others have had this experience and I really want to know what it was since it’s basically been haunting me my whole life even when I didn’t know about it.

See more from Castle of Spirits at www.castleofspirits.com.

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3,500+ Occult Manuscripts Made Available Online For Free

http://www.openculture.com/2017/12/3500-occult-manuscripts-will-be-digitized-made-freely-available-online.html

From the article: “Many a writer, like Brown, has found inspiration among the Ritman’s more accessible works (though, sadly, Borges, who was blind in 1984 and died two years later, could not have appreciated it). Now, thanks to the Da Vinci Code author’s magnanimity, a new generation of scholars will be able to virtually access, for example, the first English translation of the works of 17-century German mystic Jakob Böhme, which librarian and director Esther Ritman describes as “travelling in an entire new world.”

In an introductory essay, the Ritman notes that academic interest in occult and hermetic writing has increased lately among scholars like W.J. Hanegraaff, who tells “the ‘neglected’ story of how the intellectual community since the Renaissance has tried to come to terms with ‘esoteric’ and ‘occult’ currents present in Western culture.” That those currents are as much a part of the culture as the scientific or industrial revolutions need not be in doubt. The Hermetically Open project opens up that history with “an invitation to anyone wishing to consult or study sources belonging to the field of Christian-Hermetic Gnosis for personal, academic or other purposes.” Look for the digitization project to hit the web in the coming months.”

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