Get The Brochure
Request a Haunted History Trail of New York State brochure and visitor guides from each county on the trail.
Historic Haunts Bring the Past to Life
Battlefields, historic forts, and ties to the “Eerie” Canal - these stops along the Trail invite you to take a step back in time and explore places that have plenty of history. But does the past truly come to life? Some would say to keep an eye out as the spirits of these former sites still linger…
Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum
With history often comes tales of tragedy, as is the case at Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse. The building is home to a large collection of military artifacts from WWI, WWII, and the Korean War, linked to the unexplained activity heard by guests and staff—footsteps wandering the house and climbing up the tower stairs, disembodied voices, and soft touches felt on a shoulder or the back of a hand. Maybe it’s not the artifacts, but the former lighthouse keepers who still watch over Dunkirk today… Wherever you place the blame, this is a place shrouded in mystery—one that visitors can experience through public ghost hunts (on select dates, seasonally) or by booking a private ghost hunt with advance reservation.
Warsaw Historical Society and Gates House Museum
In the historic village of Warsaw, the Gates House carries an air of mystery. Once the home of abolitionist Seth Merrill Gates, this 1824 home served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, with slaves hidden in the attic and basement. Today, the home is alive with eerie activity—phantom footsteps echo through the halls, cold spots chill the basement, and shadowy figures linger in the parlor. Seth himself has been heard calling for his daughters, who tragically passed away in the house. Guided haunted tours are available by appointment or call ahead to reserve a ghost hunt of the property.
Fort Ontario State Historic Site
Mysterious lights and music. A woman that appears in an upstairs window and then vanishes. A child calling for his cat. These are some of the eerie experiences you may have at Fort Ontario State Historic Site, where hundreds of soldiers and civilians perished over the centuries. The star-shaped Fort Ontario, located in Oswego, was built in 1755 on top of ruins from three earlier fortresses dating back to the French and Indian War. As the final resting place for 77 officers, soldiers, women, and children, it’s a hotspot for ghostly apparitions. Paranormal groups are welcome to explore the property, by reservation.
Starr Clark Tin Shop and Underground Railroad Museum
Abolitionist and tinsmith Starr Clark hosted meetings and gave refuge to African American slaves in the building where the Starr Clark Tin Shop & Underground Railroad Museum now stands. Many artifacts remain from that era and might just be the cause of the unusual activity that mysteriously happens there. Paranormal investigators have found the site to be “very interesting,” and others have reported shadows, voices, and the feeling of being touched. Head to Mexico, NY for ghost hunts, guided tours, and paranormal investigations at this haunted museum—just don’t forget to book ahead! It’s open by appointment only, so give the spirits a little warning before you arrive.
In Syracuse, NY, things get eerie on the Erie Canal! Listen closely and you might hear a pair of arguing men who never seem to settle their ongoing debate, tromping through the 150-year-old hallways of the Erie Canal Museum. Catch a glimpse of a woman who was killed where the model canal boat now sits, or a group of see-through children playing in the courtyard. Docent-led history tours take place daily and include a recounting of the paranormal activity that occurs there.
Old Stone Fort Museum in Schoharie, NY is made up of many historic buildings from the 1700-1800s. It includes a home, Dutch barn, law office, one-room schoolhouse, and the Old Stone Fort, originally built as a church in 1772. It is also surrounded by a cemetery and contains thousands of antiques and artifacts from the war, so it comes as no surprise that spirit activity seems to surround the property. Schedule a private ghost tour or group tour to explore the grounds with the comfort of a guide. Feeling brave? Grab your equipment and go on a ghost hunt (available by reservation).
Fort William Henry in Lake George is marked by battles, disease, and unforgiving climates. A hotspot of paranormal intrigue, the fort hosts regular ghost tours that uncover chilling tales passed through generations and offer personal accounts from seasoned (and unshaken!) guides. Stop in during their regular season, May to October, and you might just experience a haunting of your own while walking these historic grounds.
⬆️ Brian’s Spectral Selection: “I was surprised to find out that this impressive fortress is the third incarnation on the site, after having burned down twice before! Historians have not abandoned the site, and neither have the spirits.”
Fulton County Historical Society
The Fulton County Historical Society, located in the former Kingsboro School built in 1900 in Gloversville, preserves the rich history of the area through thousands of artifacts spanning centuries. Beyond its exhibits on industry, sports, and military history, however, it is a hub for hosts from the afterlife. Visitors and staff have reported unexplained phenomena, from slamming doors to a model train operating on its own. Paranormal investigators have captured compelling evidence, and the museum offers seasonal ghost programs, as well as opportunities to explore its eerie happenings by appointment. Be sure to ask the staff who… or what, they’ve encountered there.
One of the oldest wooden frame houses in the region, the Old Fort House Museum in Fort Edward once sheltered Revolutionary War soldiers—and some say it still does. Operating as a museum since 1953, it has drawn attention for its lingering spirits, including sightings of a ghostly soldier on the upper floor. Guests can explore these eerie happenings through private ghost tours by appointment or seasonal public tours in September and October, uncovering the whispers of the past within its historic walls.
Sentenced to Life… & Death
Two of our historic haunts feature the villains of history, with stories that will send chills down your spine.
Museum of Wayne County History
Explore the Museum of Wayne County History in Lyons, NY for a dark and eerie peek into the past. Once the site of William Fee’s 1860 execution—the county’s only hanging—the jail’s 24 cells still echo with mystery, featuring original inmate artwork and tales of ghostly activity. Visitors can tour its 13 exhibit rooms or join fall Haunted History Walks. For the brave, small-group paranormal investigations are available by appointment, offering a chance to uncover if Fee still roams the cellblock that marks his final days.
Montgomery County Old Courthouse
Built in 1836, the Montgomery County Old Courthouse in Fonda, NY, has seen some interesting souls pass through its doors—having hosted murder trials, executions, and even a libel case involving James Fenimore Cooper. Today, it’s known for eerie happenings, from falling books and phantom footsteps to the apparition of a woman in a blue Victorian dress, believed to be "Linda." Visitors can explore the first floor during business hours, learn about the haunted history from staff, or book a group paranormal investigation for a deeper experience into its mysterious past.
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