There is no greater thrill for a historian than wandering through a museum, browsing through collections, and finding objects, and then wondering about their stories, learning things about local and regional history, and solving mysteries. I think it safe to say that anyone interested in history and genealogy has a bit of detective in them.
The Greene County Historical Society Museum is a place that comes with many mysteries. The grand old building that the museum is housed in, the County Poor Farm, is a mystery all to itself: who lived here, what did they do, how did they die? Oh, the stories that could be told if these walls could talk!
But mysteries can come in other forms as well. In such a building, known to be remarkably haunted, many strange things take place on a regular basis. Footsteps are often heard, occasionally an apparition can be seen, doors open and close on their own, and lights turn on and off; objects move on occasion as well.
Prior to COVID-19, and hopefully again in the future, the Greene County Historical Society Museum has hosted an event, typically near to Halloween called Spirits of the Night. Visitors are welcomed into the museum, often through the “dungeon,” an area in the basement where inmates with emotional disorders and violent tendencies were housed. This area is usually set up as a haunted house portion of the event, with grim décor and actors there to provide a scare.
One of our favorite props to use in the dungeon is a doll, inspired by Linda Blair’s portrayal of Regan McNeil in The Exorcist. The doll permanently lives in the dungeon, usually resting in a baby stroller and occasionally seated in a chair (as seen in the back of the photo) scaring staff and visitors at the GCHS Museum all year long. The doll has been found moved over night, in different positions and areas throughout the dungeon. Most recently, however… the doll has disappeared!
It is unknown, yet, where our favorite Halloween prop has gone, but staff and volunteers at the Greene County Historical Society are certain she will show up again – when she is ready. The spirits at the museum are often very playful and like a good prank from time to time, and no doubt, when we least expect it, we will come in the morning, and she’ll be sitting in a chair in one of the offices or propped up by one of the doors waiting to scare the daylights out of us!
There is always good fun to be had at the Greene County Historical Society Museum! Join us for our 50th Annual Harvest Festival on October 9 and 10 and on October 30 we’ll be hosting our very first Mystery at the Museum! Mystery at the Museum is an escape room style adventure where patrons will have to find clues and navigate their way through the Halls of the old County Almshouse! Keep an eye out for more information on Mystery at the Museum and Harvest Festival on our Facebook Page and Website, and we hope to see you soon!
