The Story Behind New Jersey’s Most Haunted House Will Give You Nightmares
By Kristen|Published October 13, 2017
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Kristen
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Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management.
Halloween is coming and New Jersey offers so many ways to celebrate. We’re home to one of the top haunted attractions in the country (check that out here) but that’s only for show. While truly terrifying, it’s just a fantasy. If a real haunted house is more your style, you’re in luck! The Garden State is home to some of the most haunted buildings in the country. One such building is the Proprietary House.
The Proprietary House in Perth Amboy is one of the most historic buildings still standing in the United States. It is the only remaining Proprietary Governor’s mansion from the 13 original colonies.
Completed in 1764 and leased for a decade, Royal Governor William Franklin moved into the home in 1774. If the last name sounds familiar, it’s because William was the illegitimate son of founding father and inventor, Benjamin Franklin.
British troops forced an evacuation of Perth Amboy in 1777 and the mansion was abandoned. Throughout the Revolutionary War, it was occupied by both British and American troops. After the war, the home was once again abandoned, vandalized and gutted by fire.
Left in ruin, hope seemed lost for the structure - until it was purchased by a local businessman. Additions were made to the structure and it opened as the Brighton House Hotel. Unfortunately, the hotel failed.
In the years following, the property would change hands several times. By the mid-1900s, the mansion was run down and operating as a boarding home and possibly a brothel of sorts. Luckily, historic preservationists fought to save and restore the site.
Proprietary House now operates as a museum. However, it's not an ordinary museum. The mansion is said to be haunted by several ghosts including a Revolutionary War soldier, woman in white and a young boy.
The home was featured on Ghost Hunters in 2008 and later investigated by the Jersey Unique Minds Paranormal Society. The group detected a paranormal presence including a possible EVP. The wine cellar may be one of the most haunted rooms, and it is said to have been used as a dungeon.
Want a peek inside? Take a tour. Special haunted history tours will be held today (Friday, the thirteenth) and tomorrow. Get to know the spirits that still reside here while exploring some of the museum's spookiest spots.
Tours typically start at the wine cellar mentioned earlier (now a tea room), where guests occasionally report someone grabbing at their neck. There's also a staircase said to be the scene of a murder.
Whether you believe in the supernatural or don’t, this is still a fun seasonal tour. Enjoy a bit a fright and a bunch of unique New Jersey history. Tours will be led by costumed creatures of the night at 7 and 8:30 p.m., regular tours can be taken on the 16th, between 1 and 4 p.m.
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