NEW YORK – Friday the 13th has long held an air of mystery and superstition.
Is it merely a day that embodies our anxieties, or is there a deeper significance at play?
In order to uncover the truth, Steve Overmyer from CBS New York decided to spend a night at New York City’s most haunted house.
As Overmyer set foot outside The Merchant’s House on Fourth Street, a palpable sense of anticipation and a hint of mystery filled the air. He was about to embark on a spectral discovery, venturing into the unknown.
Dan Sturges works as the in-house paranormal investigator at the Merchant House.
Overmyer inquired, “Perhaps, if you find yourself at the right moment and remain sufficiently quiet, these walls may whisper to you?”
“Indeed, this house has been remarkably active,” Sturges remarked.
Since 1936, when renovations on the house commenced, people have consistently experienced haunted encounters.
Sturges stated that back in 1936, a worker observed a lady descending the stairs while clad in a brown dress and enjoying a cup of tea. Fast forward to 2018, and it’s possible for someone to encounter the same woman, still wearing a brown dress and sipping on tea. Sturges emphasized that this phenomenon continues to occur, with the most recent incident happening just a few weeks ago.
Overmyer inquired, “Was it a few weeks ago?”
Sturges mentioned that a few weeks ago, he believes a child witnessed a man in Seabury’s room directly above their location.
Seabury Tredwell, who originally owned the house, died in 1865. Due to numerous sightings, The Merchant’s House has become a popular destination for paranormal enthusiasts and offers ghost tours, starting on Friday the 13th.
Sturges suggested that someone’s slight apprehension towards Friday the 13th could potentially incite some activity at The Merchant’s House.
The day known as Friday the 13th elicits feelings of fear and anxiety. Its origins can be traced back for centuries.
Sturges stated that the fear of Friday the 13th has existed for an extensive period of time, noting that Friday has consistently been associated with misfortune.
According to historical accounts, the origins of this event date back to the 14th century. During this time, King Phillip of France ordered the execution of the knights templar on the ill-fated day of Friday the 13th.
Sturges mentioned that in the 19th century, Friday the 13th began to take on a more superstitious nature, with warnings like “Avoid walking under a ladder” and “Beware of black cats.”
Overmyer embarked on an investigation of The Merchant’s House alongside Dianna Navarro, a spiritual crossing guard.
Sturges explained that in the realm of parapsychology, an EVP session refers to electronic voice phenomenon. These are unusual voices that are not heard during the recording itself, but become audible upon later inspection.
Overmyer remained unaware, but at approximately 4 a.m., Sturges played back a recording that resembled the sound of children crying.
Friday the 13th has evolved into a significant source of worry, symbolizing our deepest fears, while also captivating our thoughts and serving as a reminder of the enigmatic aspects of our own psyche.
In this story, only a small portion of the secrets harbored by The Merchant’s House were unveiled. However, their overnight investigation at New York’s most haunted dwelling revealed a vast trove of hidden knowledge.
Get the full experience in our Snapshot New York Halloween Special debuting Friday, October 27 at 10 p.m., streaming only on CBS News New York.
