Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA, is one of the most important sites in US history. It was here that the founders of the nation debated and signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. Thus, Independence Hall and the city of Philadelphia itself are often referred to as the birthplace of the United States. Given the site’s age and prominence, I began to wonder if there were any ghost stories.
Opened in 1927, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is one of Hollywood’s most iconic landmarks. Since its very beginning, it has played host to major movie premiers. Its forecourt is famously paved with concrete tiles featuring the handprints, footprints, and signatures of celebrities. Besides moviegoers and stars, could there be some ghosts wandering the aisles?
During the recent winter solstice, people gathered at Salisbury Plain in England to watch the sunrise over one of the most ancient and mysterious sites in the world – Stonehenge. It was a some years ago that I, myself, gazed upon this megalithic structure. Although much has been learned about Stonehenge thanks to archeological research, it still remains quite enigmatic and there are many questions yet to be answered.
The Mark Twain House in Hartford, CT, was home to the iconic author and his family from 1874 to 1891. It was here that Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain’s real name) wrote some of his most recognized works, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The building is now part of the Mark Twain House & Museum, and visitors are able to walk through the rooms and a get glimpse into the life of the Clemens family. It’s also possible that some of these former residents never really left. There have been various reports of paranormal experiences inside this historic home.
I often mention the vampire killing kit in New York City that inspired me to start seriously researching vampire folklore. Last October, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the release of my book, I shared some pictures of that enigmatic object. This year, I thought it would be fitting to share images of another kit I’ve seen. This one is on the opposite side of the continent in another iconic locale – Hollywood, California!
Dedicated on August 5, 1992, the Salem Witch Trials Memorial in Salem, MA, serves as a solemn reminder of a dark piece of colonial history. Its most prominent feature is a low stone wall with 20 granite benches projecting from it. Each bench is inscribed with the name of a person whose life was taken due to the witchcraft hysteria that gripped the community in 1692. The memorial’s dignified and unassuming design allows for quiet reflection. With this in mind, let’s explore the infamous events that motivated the building of this public monument 300 years later.
On August 23, 1966, an amazing discovery was made quite by chance in the town of Rocky Hill, CT. During excavation for a state construction project, a bulldozer operator noticed some large, three-toed footprints in a slab of sandstone. It turned out that a prehistoric lakebed had been unearthed. It would ultimately yield over 2,000 fossilized tracks that were made by dinosaurs roaming the area 200 million years ago! This find would spark the beginning of what is now Dinosaur State Park.
In North Smithfield, RI, you’ll find a historic cemetery that contains a 19th century tombstone with a very distinct epitaph. The inscription includes some partially obscured lines at the bottom, one of which references “consumption’s vampire grasp.” Because of this captivating phrase, the grave of Simon Whipple Aldrich has entered the annals of New England vampire lore.
It’s hard to overstate Bram Stoker’s influence on the modern, fictional vampire. His groundbreaking 1897 novel, Dracula, has been adapted in various ways for film and television over the years, and this popularity has helped shape the expectations people have about the undead. While exploring the origins of modern vampire traits for my book, I found my way back to Bram Stoker a number of times. So, when I had the opportunity to see some of his handwritten notes in person, I couldn’t pass that up.
Anyone who has seen a Fiji mermaid is not soon to forget it. Unlike the alluring siren imagery we are familiar with, a Fiji mermaid can be a rather disquieting sight. With a mummified and animalistic appearance, these oddities have fascinated people for years. Once thought to be authentic specimens, they are now acknowledged as artificial constructions. They can still be found on display at a variety of institutions, and I was quite pleased to happen upon one in Orlando, Florida.
