The Van Horn Mansion is most known for being haunted by a number of spirits, the most famous being Malinda Niles Van Horn, who died over 150 years ago. In 1836, 28-year-old James Van Horn Jr. married a 20-year-old beauty named Malinda Niles. Within a year Malinda would die, the cause remaining a mystery even now.

Of course, there have been unusual sightings which still continue. In the attic, the maid's bedroom door has closed by itself. The door to the attic has also slammed as well. Other claims of activity include whistling, which is said to be done by the servant who worked out in the carriage house, and also the smell of tobacco in the men's smoking room on the second floor when no one's there. Others have witnessed a shadow like figure in the attic, and volunteers have captured video evidence of an unidentified figure peeking out of view in the kitchen of the mansion.

During the time Noury Chemical owned the building, their attempts to build offices continuously failed due to hauntings, part of the reason they chose donate the building. During renovations under the society's restoration project, roofers witnessed faces in windows of the vacant mansion and saw lights flicker for no reason. Carpenters saw spirits appear to them as well.

Watch a video here on the Haunted History Trail of New York State's visit to the Van Horn Mansion.

Stop in for a complete guided tour of our living museum. From cellar to attic, journey through the mansion while learning history, architecture, and its many former residents, including Malinda and other the resident ghosts!

Call Rose for details about scheduling a paranormal investigation, by appointment at 716-727-9816 or email at rosestitch57@gmail.com. 

Visitors are welcome April through November on Sundays, 1-4pm (excluding holidays). For Off-day or Private tours: Call Jill at  (716) 390-9679.

Tours take approximately 90 minutes and can be altered to suit tour group (ask about the hauntings!)

Sunday tours: $5 donation per person, free for society members. Request pricing for private tours/investigations.