Stuart Lehman, the education coordinator for the Capitol, leads visitors through a “Capitol Hauntings” tour with an emphasis on the strange, spooky and macabre stories associated with the statehouse. The tours are free, but visitors must pre-register.
This year, “Spooky Season” starts earlier than most, with the free Capitol Hauntings tours.
As legend, folklore and ghost stories have it, the historic state Capitol building gets even more interesting when the lights go down. Beginning Sept. 17, tour guides will recount those very tales of two U.S. presidents who visited the Capitol after they died, and the chilling truth behind the “secret demon’s” Capitol curse.
But, if stories just aren’t enough, come see for yourself. You might encounter the night watchman who died in the Capitol fire of 1911, but still makes his rounds today. You might also discover the Assembly Chamber’s “lost” murals, and maybe even the tormented artist who created them.
The tour lasts about an hour, but the chilling, ghostly tales might haunt you forever.
“The Hauntings Tour is one of the most popular of our special themed tours at the Capitol, and we are excited we are excited to offer additional dates and times this year for the public to explore the supernatural history of New York’s state-house,” said New York State Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito.
Uncover the Capitol’s darkest secrets and register for the Capitol Hauntings tour online at www.empirestateplaza.org.
Tours are given from Sept. 17 through Nov. 2, weekdays at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and also on Saturdays at 1 p.m.
