Ghost Hunters Visit The Mark Twain House

Is The Mark Twain House Haunted? That's the question on the lips of many visitors to the 19th century Victorian on Farmington Avenue in Hartford.

Over the years there have been numerous reports by both visitors and staff of strange experiences in the house. Experiences varying from a feeling of being watched, hearing whispers and giggles when there is no one else in the room, hearing the sound of billiard balls knock against each other, the sound of footsteps in an empty room, the reek of cigar smoke and people even seeing misty full-bodied apparitions.  There were so many reports that they started to catalog them for evidence.

"One of the reports included a tour guide who was giving a tour and talking about Mark Twain's daughter that had died and someone in the hall shushed him." - Jacques Lamarre

With so many reports of paranormal activity, it was time to call in the experts.

The Mark Twain House's Manager of Communications & Special Projects Jacques Lamarre got in touch with The Atlantic Paranormal Society, known as TAPS, a Rhode Island based organization with an excellent reputation for cutting through the claims of supposed haunted activity to get the facts.

Jason Hawes, 37 and Grant Wilson, 35, the co-founders of TAPS, and stars of the reality show Ghost Hunters on Syfy visited the Twain House in September to investigate the claims of paranormal activity. They brought with them their team of investigators including Amy Bruni, Kris Williams, Dustin Pari and Britt Griffith. The team stayed two-nights for the investigation, and a third day for research.

During the overnight investigations the TAPS teams used recording equipment in the hope of catching electronic voice phenomena or EVPs, infrared and thermal imaging cameras, to catch what the naked-eye cannot see, a K2 meter and EMF detectors to find fluctuations of electromagnetic energy.

This was not the first investigation for a paranormal group in the house. Earlier this year a team of researchers from the Smoking Gun Research Agency also investigated. Even the famed Ed and Lorraine Warren have had walk-throughs, and felt the presence of a spirit. Some believe that the house is haunted by Mark Twain's daughter Suzie who died of spinal meningitis as a child, and is the only person to have died in the house.

Set your DVRs Ghost Hunters at the Mark Twain House airs Wednesday, December 2nd at 9pm on SyFy.

Watch a Preview

Premiere Party

The Mark Twain House will have a premiere event at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford on December 2nd which will feature local paranormal research group the Smoking Gun Research Agency who will discuss the science behind the search for the unexplained. There is a suggested donation of $10.00 for the event, which will help to support the activities of the Mark Twain House. http://www.ctsciencecenter.org/visit/

Ghost Lecture

Noted Ghost Hunters Dustin Pari from "Ghost Hunters International" and John Zaffis the so-called "Grandfather of Paranormal" will be hosting a lecture at the Mark Twain House on December 16th at 6pm. Tickets are $50 available at: http://www.idealeventmanage.com/twainlecture.html

Related Links:

The Atlantic Paranormal Society
http://www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com/

Ghost Hunters on SyFy
http://www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com/

The Mark Twain House
http://www.www.marktwainhouse.org/

Halloween Events in Connecticut

Spooktacular Halloween themed events and things to do in Connecticut this October.


The Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce

Plunge into your darkest fears with Thanatophobia. The Fear of Death. Walk the dark halls of the Other Side. Wait. Did that move? Is it alive? Is it you? Conquer Thanatophobia, only at the Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce.
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October
Fridays & Saturdays: Dusk to Midnight
Sundays: Dusk to 10pm
Admission Type Adult Child
Combo Graveyard & Rides $29.99 $20.99
Haunted Graveyard Only $19.99 $13.99
Lake Compounce Rides Only $17.99 $12.99
http://www.hauntedgraveyard.com/


The Trail of Terror
Scares and fun for the whole family hailed by Fright Times Magazine as "Best Outdoor Attraction" in the country is in its 14th season in Wallingford.
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October
Wallingford, CT
General Admission $10, Speed pass $20
http://www.trailofterror.com/



Old SayBrOOk Fire Dept. 12th Annual "Haunted Hayride"
All year long, the volunteer fire department puts out fires, but during Halloween, its volunteers ignite a "blaze" of scary proportions for all to enjoy. A possessed tractor-drawn hay wagon leads visitors into the deep, dark, demented woods of Scary Old SayBrOOk. For more than 40 minutes, you will venture into the ghastly world of ghosts, goblins, and ghouls. In the eerie fog, you'll be frightened by the bone-chilling sounds of creatures of the night: Which are in front, which are behind and witch are from the great, great beyond? The Old SayBrOOk Fire Department's 12th Annual Haunted Hayride "promises again to be the most hair-raising Halloween season in the history of Old Saybrook."
Dates: Friday, Oct. 16; Saturday, Oct. 17; Thursday, Oct. 22; Friday, Oct. 23; Saturday, Oct. 24; Wednesday, Oct. 28; and Thursday, Oct. 29.
Time: Trailer Rides Start at Dusk (7 P.M.)
Fees: $10* Adults, **Children under 12 - $5.00*
Clark Memorial Field (Fireman's Field) on Elm Street, Old Saybrook, CT
http://www.oldsaybrookfire.com/


Boo! at The Bushnell
A conference to celebrate the 200th birthday of Edgar Allan Poe and to explore the evolution of the horror genre in theater, literature and film. PLUS – a special screening of The Fall of the House of Usher starring Vincent Price. Check out www.bushnell.org for a list of speakers and other NEA events. Boo! at The Bushnell is part of The Big Read – an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institue of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Sponsored by SMB Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Saturday, October 31st 2009, 10am - 5pm
Tickets: FREE
Box Office: 860-987-5900
http://www.bushnell.org/


Tales of Witchcraft and Tombstones
Everyone knows about the witchcraft trials that took place in Salem, Mass. but we hardly ever hear about what occurred right here in Connecticut. Alse Young of Windsor, the first person executed for witchcraft in New England, was sent to the gallows in Hartford, Conn. in 1647. There were many other executions in Connecticut including three in Wethersfield.
Fridays in October 10, 17, 24, and 31 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Webb House at 211 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109
http://www.webb-deane-stevens.org/


Mark Twain House Ghost Tours
THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT: Friday Night Ghost Tours of The Mark Twain House
Visitors to the Mark Twain House can experience the chills of a haunted tour, hearing of unexplained occurrences and winding up with a scary story in the little-visited basement.
Dates: Fridays in October 9, 16, 23 and 30 6pm to 9pm
Admission: $17 for adults and seniors, $15 for members, and an unlucky $13 for children 10 to 16.
For tickets call 860-280-3154.
http://www.marktwainhouse.org/


The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Live Halloween Experience
The Performing Arts Collaborative presents the hilarious, sinfully twisted Rocky Horror Show: Live Halloween Experience. Let’s do the Time Warp again at Richard O’Brien’s salute to sci-fi, horror, gender-bending and rock music, with special costumes by V. I. P.! This cast will send you into another dimension as you enter Dr. Frank-N-Furter's castle for a night of thrills and chills in this energetic and interactive production. Audience participation and costumes are encouraged and proceeds from the sale of $2 audience participation prop bags go to AIDS Project New Haven (APNH). Special performance on October 29th lets the boys and girls mix it up and it’s up to you to tell who’s who. Halloween Night tickets include the KC101 Dance Party with the cast after the show.
Dates: October 22, 23, 29, 20 & 31 at the Playwright Irish Pub & Restaurant in New Haven.
Showtime is 8:00pm and tickets range from $15 to $26 and are available online at http://www.pacshows.com/ or call (203) 376-9359.


Ride the Rails to the Dark Side
The trolley enters the station empty except for the motorman and conductor. They can be heard chuckling over the loss of another load of passengers. Your tickets are purchased and you are ready to board the trolley. The foreboding cackle of the conductor “all aboard” signals your last chance to exit. The doors are closed and the trolley departs for the unknown.
As the trolley rolls through the darkness, the conductor comments on the history of the car and trolley line. It is the longest stretch of straight track in the State, but was constructed at the price of moving an old grave yard...
at the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor
Friday 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th - 7:pm - 9:30pm
Saturday 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th - 7:pm - 9:30pm
Tickets: Adult - 15 years of age and older $10.00
Member - $5.00
Youth - 4 to 14 years of age $6.00
Member - $3.00
http://www.ceraonline.org/


The Graveyard Express
We dare you to ride the Graveyard Express at the Shoreline Trolley Museum and visit the Haunted Island trail.
Dates: Friday & Saturday nights,from 6:30pm - 9pm October 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30.
Admission: $10 per person, $8 if you come in costume.
The Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River Street,East Haven, CT
http://www.bera.org/


Creepy Cocktails
Get in the Halloween "spirit" on October 22 during the first-ever Creepy Cocktails, featuring a deejay, psychic, underwater pumpkin-carving demonstrations and signature Halloween cocktails and appetizers available for purchase - all on the main floor, where fish and invertebrates live in the Aquarium's mysterious waters. Cost: $5 admission. Cash bar and food available for purchase. Reservations are required. Attendees must be 21 and older.
wwww.mysticaquarium.org


Halloween Events at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Hayrides at the Zoo - October 1 - November 30
Haunted Farmyard - October 17 - November 1
Boo at the Zoo - October 25
Ghost Hunter Lorraine Warren - October 16
Howl-o-ween - October 23, 24, 30, 31
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
http://www.beardsleyzoo.org/


Nautical Nightmares: Blood of the Mutineers
A Premier Halloween Event in Connecticut.
A vengeful captain, a villainous mutineer, a witness driven mad and a jury of the damned...this autumn, join us for our Halloween production, Nautical Nightmares: Blood of the Mutineers. Search the darkened village for clues to the captain's unrest. But beware! This village is haunted by a secret that only its ghostly victims can bring to light. Tours begin nightly at 6:15 p.m and leave every 15 minutes.
Dates: October 16-18, 23-25 and 29-31
Tickets: Adult: $19, Youth (Ages 4-18): $18
Member Adult: $17, Member Youth (Ages 4-18): $16
Mystic Seaport - The Museum of America and the Sea, 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT
http://www.mysticseaport.org/


Lantern Light Graveyard Walk
One hour Guided Walking Tour at dusk led by ghost hunter Donna Kent featuring The Old Norwichtown Burial Ground & the Norwichtown Green.Or spend the entire day ghost hunting which includes brunch at a haunted restaurant. Reservations & lantern or flashlight required. Call 860-886-4683 for more information. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the CT Graveyard Association.
October 24, 2009
Old Norwichtown Burial Ground & Norwichtown Green, Norwich CT


The Haunted Backyard in Terryville
9th annual haunted backyard to benefit needy families this Thanksgiving. Proceeds Will be going to Turkey's for families in need.
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in October from dark to 10pm
Admission: $4.00 adults $2.00 kids
Address: 104 Eastview Road, Terryville, CT
Phone: 860-589-7185

Save the Mark Twain House

Mark Twain's 3 Story Victorian mansion in Hartford is a Connecticut landmark, and it is in danger of closing due to financial problems.

Mark Twain said of this house, "To us, our house . . . had a heart, and a soul, and eyes to see us with; and approvals and solicitudes and deep sympathies; it was of us, and we were in its confidence and lived in its grace and in the peace of it benediction." www.twainquotes.com

To help save this landmark please visit:
http://www.marktwainhouse.org/