The Houghton Mansion
Date: Fall 2006 and 2007
Location: North Adams, MA
Historical Background: The Houghton Mansion dates from the 1890s and was built
for North Adams’ first mayor. Despite his prominence in the town, Mr. Houghton
suffered a terrible tragedy when his daughter Mary was killed in an auto accident,
followed the next day by the suicide of the chauffeur, John Widders, who’d been driving
the car. It wasn’t too long after this that Mr. Houghton himself died, some say due to
the immense grief he suffered at the death of these two people. It is now believed that
these three people haunt the mansion. After his death, the mansion moved through
many hands and now houses a large Masonic Temple on the second floor.
Findings: The team has been privileged to visit the mansion several times as part of
paranormal conferences put on by the Berkshire Paranormal Group (who run the
mansion) and the New England Ghost Project. On the team’s first visit, several
members of the team heard the words “Get Out” as they ascended the master staircase.
The team believes these words came from Mr. Houghton. However, during this visit
and subsequent ones, the team came upon evidence of hauntings that did not involve
Mr. Houghton, Mary Houghton or John Widders. The team encountered the ghosts of
two girls who died nearby who play pranks throughout the house, specifically creating
the noises many people have heard. Yet the most prevalent spirit the team encountered
was that of a very malevolent figure who, the team believes, is responsible for many of
the physical attacks that have taken place in the mansion, even to the point of knocking
over a tray of food at a restaurant where the team was dining. Although these views are
that of the team and do not correspond to the beliefs of other paranormal teams, the
team strongly believes that this entity is not that of Mr. Houghton, but of someone from
the past who committed various acts of abuse and depravity and has been drawn by the
strong energy from the Masonic Temple located on the 2nd floor of the mansion. At
first the team tried to correspond the malevolent figure to that of Mr. Houghton, but
throughout their visits, more information came to light that discounted Mr. Houghton.
On our second visit one year later, this spirit made himself more known, first appearing
in a dress but strangely wearing a mask. That night, each member of the team dreamt
of a man wearing a mask. During the investigation, one of the members channeled this
spirit who warned the group that our meddling in his affairs would be punished. At a
séance held that evening, a spirit tried diligently to enter all who participated in the
séance. He was kept at bay initially by members who knew how to increase the energy
of the circle. Suddenly, someone yelled out “He deserves to be punished” and broke
the protection of the circle, allowing him to enter and throw to the ground a member of
another paranormal group. Was this spirit the one who warned the team earlier? Or
was this indeed Mr. Houghton believing he has nothing to be punished for? The team
believes Mr. Houghton to be stuck due to grief, not guilt. The rage of the offending
spirit that invaded the circle did not appear to be that of a grieving father, or someone
who carries guilt. On the contrary. Was the rage shown by this spirit done in order to
intimidate and show his power as in the warning he’d given to the team earlier? Despite
these initial suspicions, the identity of this spirit is yet to be determined.
Conclusion: The team is still gathering evidence as to the identity of this malevolent
spirit. Members of other groups have contacted us corroborating their belief in our
findings. As of this date, the harassment by this spirit continues at the Houghton
Mansion and has appeared at several investigations conducted by our team at other
locations.
Reason for Haunting: To anyone who has ever visited the Houghton Mansion, the large
Masonic Temple on the 2nd floor is an incredibly powerful room. We believe this dark
entity is drawn by the power of the room and enjoys using a smokescreen to hide his
identity. Although Mr. Houghton does haunt his old home, the team does not believe
that he is the main culprit for many of the hauntings reported there. The team believes
it is this entity, as well as the two girls that also haunt the mansion who are responsible
for much of the activity reported and experienced over the years.
Case Pending.
Date: Fall 2006 and 2007
Location: North Adams, MA
Historical Background: The Houghton Mansion dates from the 1890s and was built
for North Adams’ first mayor. Despite his prominence in the town, Mr. Houghton
suffered a terrible tragedy when his daughter Mary was killed in an auto accident,
followed the next day by the suicide of the chauffeur, John Widders, who’d been driving
the car. It wasn’t too long after this that Mr. Houghton himself died, some say due to
the immense grief he suffered at the death of these two people. It is now believed that
these three people haunt the mansion. After his death, the mansion moved through
many hands and now houses a large Masonic Temple on the second floor.
Findings: The team has been privileged to visit the mansion several times as part of
paranormal conferences put on by the Berkshire Paranormal Group (who run the
mansion) and the New England Ghost Project. On the team’s first visit, several
members of the team heard the words “Get Out” as they ascended the master staircase.
The team believes these words came from Mr. Houghton. However, during this visit
and subsequent ones, the team came upon evidence of hauntings that did not involve
Mr. Houghton, Mary Houghton or John Widders. The team encountered the ghosts of
two girls who died nearby who play pranks throughout the house, specifically creating
the noises many people have heard. Yet the most prevalent spirit the team encountered
was that of a very malevolent figure who, the team believes, is responsible for many of
the physical attacks that have taken place in the mansion, even to the point of knocking
over a tray of food at a restaurant where the team was dining. Although these views are
that of the team and do not correspond to the beliefs of other paranormal teams, the
team strongly believes that this entity is not that of Mr. Houghton, but of someone from
the past who committed various acts of abuse and depravity and has been drawn by the
strong energy from the Masonic Temple located on the 2nd floor of the mansion. At
first the team tried to correspond the malevolent figure to that of Mr. Houghton, but
throughout their visits, more information came to light that discounted Mr. Houghton.
On our second visit one year later, this spirit made himself more known, first appearing
in a dress but strangely wearing a mask. That night, each member of the team dreamt
of a man wearing a mask. During the investigation, one of the members channeled this
spirit who warned the group that our meddling in his affairs would be punished. At a
séance held that evening, a spirit tried diligently to enter all who participated in the
séance. He was kept at bay initially by members who knew how to increase the energy
of the circle. Suddenly, someone yelled out “He deserves to be punished” and broke
the protection of the circle, allowing him to enter and throw to the ground a member of
another paranormal group. Was this spirit the one who warned the team earlier? Or
was this indeed Mr. Houghton believing he has nothing to be punished for? The team
believes Mr. Houghton to be stuck due to grief, not guilt. The rage of the offending
spirit that invaded the circle did not appear to be that of a grieving father, or someone
who carries guilt. On the contrary. Was the rage shown by this spirit done in order to
intimidate and show his power as in the warning he’d given to the team earlier? Despite
these initial suspicions, the identity of this spirit is yet to be determined.
Conclusion: The team is still gathering evidence as to the identity of this malevolent
spirit. Members of other groups have contacted us corroborating their belief in our
findings. As of this date, the harassment by this spirit continues at the Houghton
Mansion and has appeared at several investigations conducted by our team at other
locations.
Reason for Haunting: To anyone who has ever visited the Houghton Mansion, the large
Masonic Temple on the 2nd floor is an incredibly powerful room. We believe this dark
entity is drawn by the power of the room and enjoys using a smokescreen to hide his
identity. Although Mr. Houghton does haunt his old home, the team does not believe
that he is the main culprit for many of the hauntings reported there. The team believes
it is this entity, as well as the two girls that also haunt the mansion who are responsible
for much of the activity reported and experienced over the years.
Case Pending.
| Pictures of energy |
| The Houghton Mansion |