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Ghost Hunting in South Jersey If you are looking for real ghosts this Halloween season, here are some places in our region you might find them. A C T I V E S E N I O R L I V I N G | V O L U M E 1 | I S S U E 2 1 5 The Southern Mansion: 720 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 609-884-7171. This is one of the prettiest sites in Cape May and one of the most haunted according to owner, Barbara Wilde. So haunted, that it was featured on the series, Ghost Hunters in March. Barbara noticed the paranormal activity while the inn was being renovated and restored. The Civil war era mansion was part of the George Allen Estate. His last living relative, Ester Mercur is one of the resident ghosts there. Chef’s have seen wine glasses break into fine sand and soldiers appear and disappear into walls. The smell of gardenias, Ester’s favorite flower, follows guests and employees around the property and some have seen her dancing and laughing throughout the house. Guests in room 14 might find an apparition of a dark haired woman and a soldier. The Southern Mansion is a luxurious bed and breakfast with well appointed rooms and beautiful décor and gardens, one of the finest in Cape May. City Tavern: 138 S. Second street, Philadelphia 215-413-1443. The original 1773 tavern was destroyed by fire in the 19th century during the preparation of a wedding. Many of the bridal party perished in the fire. The tavern hosts many weddings today in the newly constructed reproduction of the original tavern. Brides have reported seeing the face of a woman dressed in a wedding gown in their wedding photos taken in the building. City Tavern is known for their authentic Colonial cuisine and costumed staff. Burlington County Prison: 128 High Street, Mt. Holly, NJ. The 1811 prison building is now a museum where you can take tours from Thursday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. According to the museum’s staff “Joel Clough brutally stabbed his girlfriend to death. Sentenced to death, he escaped from the prison but was quickly recaptured. He spent his final days in the death row cell known as the dungeon. Clough was hung in 1833. Shortly after his death, guards and inmates heard moaning and the sounds of rattling chains from the empty cell. They also claimed to see apparitions and items levitating in the cell. During the restoration of the building in 1999, workers reported strange events such as loud noises, voices, and quick temperature changes. Missing items turned up in rooms the workers had not even entered. Dozens of paranormal and ghost research teams from across the country are drawn to the museum to investigate these and many other inexplicable events.” Winterwood Gift Shop: 3137 Rt. 8, Rio Grande, NJ. The Winterwood Gift Shop offers a hughe selection of Christmas ornaments and unique gifts. Once known as the Hildreth House, this historic building was constructed in 1772 by Joshua Hildreth and it thought to be haunted by a ghost named “Hestor”, who was a resident of the building. Visitors have seen flickering lights, heard footsteps, and witnessed objects moving of their own accord. Some have also seen the apparition of Hestor, the ghost who is believed to haunt the building. Best Ghost Tours in south Jersey: The month of October is the best month to partake in these ghost tours. Take a walking tour of these beautiful cities and visit the hot spots where the ghosts hang out. I have been on all three of these tours and they are quite fun and entertaining. Philadelphia, PA and Ocean City, NJ: www.ghosttour.com Cape May, NJ: www.capemaymac.org C I T Y TAV E R N S O U T H E R N M A N S I O N


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