The Deadly History Of This New Jersey Museum Is Terrifying But True

The Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton is a stunning historic site that should not be missed. It has a rich history and overlooks the scenic Raritan River. It’s also located in close proximity to a very charming downtown area with lovely eateries including The Clean Plate Kitchen, Bassano Italian and Just Chill Frozen Desserts & Creperie. The Red Mill is the kind of place you want to go again and again, especially since it offers some spectacular events. However, the vibrant red exterior hides a haunting past.

Flickr/Tejus Shah

The oldest parts of the mill were built back in 1810 by Ralph Hunt to process wool. The Hunt family owned several mills in the area (then called Hunt's Mills) and nearly 400 acres of land. Unfortunately, his business failed within a decade and the mill was eventually purchased by John Bray and John B. Taylor.

Flickr/Lior Shapira

The Taylor family, a prominent milling family at the time, changed the town's name to Clinton after New York governor, DeWitt Clinton. The name stuck, but yet again, the business failed.

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Flickr/Lior Shapira

The mill was then bought by John W. Snyder, who transformed it into a gristmill and ceased wool production. He quickly fell into debt and the complex almost seemed cursed - one failure after another. The property continued to change hands rapidly, later serving as a graphite mill which filled the town with thick black dust. In 1928, the property was sold to the Clinton Water Supply company and the mill was closed.

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Facebook/Red Mill

Mill work was very dangerous in the 1800s, with little to no safety measures in place. Workers were often maimed or killed and there are numerous stories (some verified) of untimely deaths surrounding Clinton's Red Mill.

Facebook/Red Mill

Stories tell of a mill worker who fell into the third floor hopper and suffocated to death. Others mention a young boy who lived on the property that was cleaning a revolver when it discharged. Still more say the spirit of a young girl whose father worked at the mill often comes to visit. A verified tale involves the tenant house on the property - documentation shows a death by heart attack.

Guests have reported hearing footsteps in vacant areas of the tenant house, objects moving with no clear cause throughout the property and even seeing a man on the third floor of the mill. Many have mentioned the authentic period re-enactor on the third floor - but the mill does not employ period re-enactors.

Image/Ed Koennemann

Lucky for the supernatural sleuths out there, there are so many ways to experience the mill's paranormal past - and present. Annual ghost and folklore tours are held by the mill, a haunted Halloween Village is hosted seasonally and special events often bring paranormal investigators to the property. Upcoming events include an evening ghost and folklore tour on August 12th and a paranormal convention and investigation on September 16th. The upcoming ghost tour costs $20 and includes a private viewing of some of the museum's more macabre items; the tour is not recommended for children.

Of course, there are family friendly events here also. Visit on August 18th for free outdoor yoga or on the 26th for a children's movie night.

The mill has been featured on the TV show, Ghost Hunters, and has even been the subject of a documentary (Ghosts of The Red Mill). See the chilling trailer, uploaded by YouTube user Mark Johnson:

While the museum’s history may be startling to some, dangerous working conditions were a reality of life in New Jersey mines and mills. The site has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind non-profit that transports visitors to the past. The Red Mill and surrounding village are meant to preserve the history and culture of Hunterdon County. Enjoy regular and rotating exhibits and a collection of over 40,000 items. Special events include Revolutionary and Civil War reenactments, blacksmith demonstrations and so much more.

For another beautiful but potentially paranormal spot, check out this article, focused on the Pine Barrens and the notorious Jersey Devil.