Please Don't Tempt Me

The other day at "The Hall", the carpenter came to repair the side steps. I usually use these steps to get into the house, but today they were gone. The carpenter took them away, so I had to use the back door. This back door opens up to a back storage room. On one side, a short set of stairs go up to the door to the kitchen. One the other side are 3 steps going down to a doorway. How could I stop myself from exploring a basement! I knew this must be the destination of this passageway.

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I cautiously approached the door and with a bit of force, popped it open. Instead of seeing a basement, I saw a narrow short dark passage with another door just like the other. I felt as if I was in a Twilight Zone episode, going down a tunnel that never ends. When I opened the second door, I expected to see another door, but I didn't. I saw a brightly lit basement room. The basement, as I discovered, was a series of rooms, all of them dusty with cobwebs as you would expect. The rooms got darker and scarier as I proceeded to explore. I really felt uncomfortable in there, since it isn't my house and all, but I love old dusty basements. They are the cornerstone of any house and the first thing built, so they always fascinate me. You could feel the spirit of the house down there. I didn't want to stay long for obvious reasons, so I grabbed my trusty camera and took some shots for you to see.

In between those 2 odd doors, I saw an opening, like a dark hole crawl space. I could not really see into this secret space, but my camera could. I got my camera into position and mustered up enough courage to stick my arm into this hole and took this picture. I think there is a secret passageway through there. I can kind of make it out and would love to crawl into this secret passage, but I am chicken. I have heard stories about the underground railroad and about some people who once rented this house and found a passage way that actually lead to the barn. Maybe this is it.

Ghostly Adventures at Harmonie Hall

Even the name Harmonie Hall conjures up images of historical mysteries. I have been very fortunate to land a job at this very old place, selling off many antiques that pass through the massive doors of the barn. Last week we had so many nice pieces of furniture come in, that the floors are covered and we have no place left for another piece. We even have to stack them sometimes, but they will sell.

One type of item we do sell that is not an antique, but more of an art, are these hand painted signs done by the Amish. They say all types of things. Sayings of faith, Americana as well as humorous. We have a big variety of signs. I like to set them up to represent an image, for example, I found an old cement sitting dog with a very worried face, and an eagle flying with it's talons out. I put the two together as if the eagle is attacking the poor little dog, with the sign in front of it saying, "Why Worry When You Can Pray". It just amuses me to do this kind of thing. This is all leading up to my true experience with the spirits of the barn. One night as I was closing up, I was all alone and in the back of the barn when I heard something that sounded like a plank falling. I went over to the room to investigate. There, in the middle of the floor as if it fell from the sky, was a 3' long plank. Very puzzled, I picked it up to see what it was. It was one of those signs and I heard a voice inside saying, "read it.". It said, "Welcome To Our Barn". I knew right then, I was welcomed. The electricity was in the air and it would not go away till I got out of there, and get out I did! I was okay with it, but it still gives me an unsettling feeling.

My New Job/Back in the Saddle Again

I haven't added to my blog in a while, but now, I find that I can take the time to fill you in on all my new adventures. After being "retired", once I sold off my antique business three years ago, I felt like I was out of the loop and missing it. I have remained in the antique business online, but have been doing this from my house. Even though it was a pleasure to be able to relax and garden, sit on my deck and watch the world go by, I really missed being out with all the people that I have made friends and acquaintances with all those years while I managed my shop. So here I am, back in the saddle again.

This place I am now working at is a wonderful place to be. The shop is in an old carriage house in Bainbridge, NY and it is called Harmonie Hall. The House that came with the carriage house is probably over 200 years old and was once a 200+ acre farm owned by the Bush family in the very early 1800's. The family cemetery is located out back and the spirits still dwell inside the carriage house and the house itself. I have been here for only 2 weeks and already have some ghostly stories to tell.

The people who now own this beautiful estate are very kind and I love working for them. The only problem I see with this situation, is that the barn or carriage house is very large and drafty and so, being upstate NY, in the winter time, I am going to freeze! The barn is filled with treasures from old estates and the owner brings in a new load every week. We have loads of early furniture and the prices are so inexpensive, that I can not help but to purchase a piece now and again. GRRR.... like I really have room for that!