Alice Austen House ("Clear Comfort")
Photographer Alice Austen was born in 1866 and spent much of her life in what is now an historic landmark
The house, now a museum, is located in Rosebank (2 Hylan Blvd), Staten Island
Ms. Austen fell on hard times in 1929 and by 1945 was forced to live in the Staten Island Farm Colony...
the Island's poorhouse...after her photographs began to sell (1950) she moved to a nursing home
Austen died in 1952 after finally receiving some recognition
Apparently, Clear Comfort housed more than Alice and her companion, Gertrude Tate...
During the American Revolution a British soldier hanged himself from a second story rafter
And while Alice is at rest, the redcoat is not...
Brady's Pond
In earlier times Brady's Pond was a favorite haunt of highwaymen -
According to local legend, their victims are still there...
Unfortunately, so is some modern day mayhem...
the NYC DEP is dumping pollutants into the pond, slowly killing it
The City, including the Parks Department, does nothing to stop the destruction...
...except demand that locals pay for aerators so the fish don't die (at least short term)
The reason on one cares is the Brady's Pond is described as a "private lake"...
However, the northeast edge is NYC Parks property...
...but Adrian Benepe does nothing to stop the pollution or even...
...to allow the public easy access to one of SI's haunted gems
George Burke's "Dreamhouse" (Mon Reve)
George Burke's "Dreamhouse" (Mon Reve) gave him nightmares -- in the form of the previous owner
But a ghosthunter won't be scared off by the smell of lilacs...
...even in the dead of winter
George Burke moved out but the Totenville, Staten Island, Dreamhouse remains...
The Cunard Mansion
In 1852 Sir Edward Cunard, the shipping magnate, built a mansion on Grymes Hill, Staten Island
Cunard, whose firm built the RMS Lusitania, liked to watch his ships enter NY Harbor
Cunard died in 1865 but his death wasn't the last associated with the mansion...
In 1890 a man committed suicide by leaping from a second story window of the mansion
Legend has it that his face can still be seen peering from the mansion's windows
Even though the Cunards are long gone and the mansion is now part of Wagner College
The Kreischer Mansion
The Kreischer Mansion in Charleston, Staten Island
There were once two such mansions, one for the father and one for the beloved son
Father and son fought, the second house burnt down - killing the son and his wife
Years later the FBI dug up some other remains...
...residue of a Mob hit
Richmondtown
The Perine House on Richmond Road
A very old dwelling, the Perine House is alleged to contain at least one spectre...
...a young rape/murder victim named Mary is said to serve as guardian of the living
The Britton Cottage is part of the Historic Richmondtown Restoration project (begun in 1939)
The Edwards-Barton House in Richmondtown - one of many scenic structures from the past
The Guyon-Lake-Tysen House is said to be haunted...
...Guides have reported spirits preventing doors from opening...
...and the feeling of bodies brushing against them in the kitchen...
...as well as cabinets flying open without apparent cause
The Parsonage on Arthur Kill Rd and Clarke Avenue...
...was home to Dutch Reform Church ministers...
...and later served as a restaurant...
...frequented by spirits offering disembodied cries -- and flickering lights
The Voorlezer House was built in 1696 and served as a schoolhouse
(Voorlezer is similar to Vorleser - German for reader)...
The young daughter of a Herr Van Pelt resided in the house
She danced for Hessian troops billeted there during the Revolution
"Pretty" died while still very young and soon after a soldier/admirer followed her
Both were buried in the nearby cemetary -- where they continue to be sighted...
Snug Harbor: Cottage B
Snug Harbor: Cottage 3/C
Snug Harbor's Cottage Three (Now Cottage C) is home to a wraith or so legend has it...
Cottage C - formerly known as Cottage 3...
...a weeping woman appears outside the cottage
...and disappears when help arrives
Snug Harbor: The Governor's House
The Governor's House at Snug Harbor Cultural Center...
...formerly Sailor's Snug Harbor, a home for aged sailors
The "governor" was the top administrator of Snug Harbor
Snug Harbor: The Matron's Cottage
The Matron's Cottage
Interior Designs...
The Matron's Cottage
Snug Harbor: Other Hauntings
H Building (Home of the Art Lab)
The Great Hall
The (haunted) Music Hall...
...one audience member, who prefers the balcony seats, never leaves
Snug Harbor: Spirit Tour 2011
The Photographer
