Historic Canandaigua has a lot of history: the well known Pickering Treaty, the infamous trial of Susan B. Anthony, and being the home of the Seneca Indian tribe. But what is not known is the dark side. William Wordsworth said: “From the body of one guilty deed a thousand ghostly fears and haunting thoughts proceed.” Perhaps the slaves of yesteryear spread their ghostly fears of their predators’ guilt with the haunting that occurs today; or maybe it’s the Seneca Indians, themselves, that haunt the city of Canandaigua, eerily casting shadows behind trees when autumn leaves fall like tears of saddened times.
Two ladies know of the pain and sorrow that history brings, especially those happenings that leave their haunting mark in Canandaigua. The haunted walking tours, which began in the summer of 2006, are now as popular as ever. Barbara Brooks and Joanne LeClair are the tour guides that take those who dare into the haunted past and paranormal present of today. “There are many reasons why Canandaigua is haunted,” Barbara Brooks says, who has moved here from Baltimore just a few years ago. “I’ve always been interested in the paranormal, and it’s so exciting to see and feel it with these tours.” Joanne LeClair, a native from the Finger Lakes, delivers historic paranormal facts that give everyone the willies. “One reason Canandaigua is haunted is the Sullivan Campaign,” she explains. George Washington commissioned General Sullivan to wipe out the Native Americans aligned with the British forces. Other influences are the Underground Railroad activities, where slaves hid on their way north. Frightened slaves’ cries have been reported at the Ontario County Courthouse.
Mason Winfield, an author of local paranormal haunting, declares that certain buildings attract paranormal activity, which is due to more than just history or age. Architecture can play a key role as well, such as cupolas, pillars, and buildings that have peaks, such as steeples, that reach the heavens and draw spirits’ energy. The walking tours usually run ninety minutes, sometimes longer when occurrences happen while the tour is going on, which is happening more often. Windows opening and closing, transparent faces in dark shadows, menacing orbs, or even figures on rooftops have been seen while the tour is taking place.
Walking tours are every Saturday evening starting at 7pm sharp on the corner of Main and Coach Street in downtown Canandaigua, rain or shine. There is a special tour Halloween night with special surprises planned and costumes optional. No reservations are required, just show up and the fees are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.
Canandaigua Ghost Walk Dynamic Duo
For more information contact:
The Ontario County Historical Society and Museum
55 North Main Street
585-394-4975
http://www.ochs.org
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Mason Winfield, the founder of these great ghost walks, is also a researcher, supernatural historian and the author of five books on paranormal activities in this region. In addition to the Canandaigua Ghost Walks, he also offers Haunted History Ghost Walks in Lyons, NY and in towns around Buffalo, NY.
For more on his ghost walks, visit: http://travelmaven.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/are-ghosts-real-find-out-on-this-ghostwalk/ or Mason’s website at: http://www.masonwinfield.com.
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