Home > Arts & EntertainmentHaunted Places in the Finger LakesThe Finger Lakes is awash with legends, folktales, and lore about the Finger Lakes. Most of these stories come from the Indians and can be found in Emerson Klees' book Legends and Stories of the Finger Lakes Region. Other stories about strange events, like monsters in the lakes, are old and, as far as I know, have not be substantiated in modern times.
But that doesn't mean that the Finger Lakes isn't without a haunted place or two. In fact, the Finger Lakes has quite a few houses whose owners claim that they are haunted. But like most homeowners, they don't want to start charging admission to tourists. So, it was a bit of a challenge to find places where visitors could go and have a decent chance at experiencing something.
Below is a list of places whose owners or contacts have assured me are truly haunted, but you will have to go and check them out for yourself. ACCOMMODATIONSAmbroselli's Villa Serendip10849 State Route 371 Cohocton, NY 14826 866-205-6913 Owned by Fran Ambroselli, Villa Serendip is on the National Register of Historic Places. While Ambroselli was getting the house ready to become a B &B, tools and other items she needed "came out of the wall," including a chisel, matches, asprin, a sharpe knife, and a folding table. During blueberry season, you can sometimes hear someone whistling a sprightly old ballad, and a baby sometimes cries and coos. The Edge of Thyme6 Main St. Candor, NY 13743 800-722-7365 People are heard walking on the steps that are covered with carpeting, the back door slams when locked, and guests have reported seeing a blonde woman in one room, rocking in a rocking chair. One psychic told the owners that there is a Civil War soldier in the house who won't leave because his blonde wife is buried in the basement. Guests are warned not to leave perfume bottles in the bathroom as they will be taken and not returned. Esperanza Mansion3456 State Route 54A Bluff Point, NY 14478 866-927-4400 There are many stories of lovely ladies dressed in white in the Finger Lakes, however, owner Dave Wegman assured me that Esperanza's lovely lady does exist and that she can be seen in the mansion from time to time. No one knows for sure who she is or why she is there. On the National Register of Historic Places, Esperanza is worth the trip whether you see the lady in white or not. OTHER PLACESClemens Center207 Clemens Center Parkway Elmira, NY 14902 800-724-0159 Named for Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), the Clemens Center is a popular venue for the preforming arts. The theatre is said to be home to three ghosts--two women and a man. One is the spirit of a woman who worked at the theatre and loved the place so much that she asked that her ashes be sprinkled there after her death. The other two are a former stage hand and his wife. Miles Wine Cellars168 Randall Crossing Rd. Himrod, NY 14842 607-243-7742 Located in a Greek Revival mansion, the winery seems to be haunted by a man and a woman who have been seen standing on the porch. An elderly woman who used to live in the house said that she never minded being sent to her room by her parents because the nice man and woman would come out of the walls and visit. They must occasionally have disputes as they go on door-slamming sprees. Otherwise, they appear to be harmless. Sampson Theatre130-136 E. Elm St. Penn Yan 14527 The building was built in 1910 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has always been a theatre and is thought to be haunted by two past (passed?) theatre employees. Two people (one an architect) have photographed unexplainable swills of mist in the building, using different cameras.
28 May 2009 |
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