Hessians, Hunters, & Hoaxes: Exploring Paranormal Staten Island
A Historic Richmond Town Talks Public Program
In this seasonal public program, join Michael Pelczar, of Spooky Staten Island, as he discusses haunted history and paranormal activity on Staten Island with Chris O’Brien, Historic Richmond Town Artist-in-Residence and Vinny Carbone, paranormal investigator.
This in-person program will be hosted in the 3rd County Courthouse. Following the panel discussion will be a group ghost-hunting experience and tours of the Barger Privy “Strange Visions” Installation by Chris O’Brien.
Tickets: $12
All participants aged 12 and older must show proof of vaccination
Background photo by Marc Hermann
Haunted history need not be limited to the month of October! Throughout the centuries, tales of spirits and spectres have been reported throughout Staten Island and the village of Richmond. Legends of Revolutionary War-era spirits have been reported in the Rezeau-Van-Pelt Cemetery and in the Voorlezer’s House, executions of the accused behind the 3rd County Courthouse have reverberated through unexplained experiences felt by visitors and staff. In recent years, paranormal activity has been captured with 21st century equipment, and artists have been inspired to create new mythologies based on the storied past of the forgotten borough.
About the panelists:
Photo by Michael Pelczar.
Michael Pelczar is the founder of Spooky Staten Island, which provides tours and experiences in cemeteries and historic sites throughout the borough. A photographer, videographer, and writer, Pelczar is an accomplished storyteller and authority in Staten Island History.
Chris O’Brien is Historic Richmond Town’s current artist-in-residence. O’Brien’s installation, Strange Visions at the Barger Privy, is a re-imagination of Staten Island’s past, filtered through the history of an imagined entity, The Richmond County Field Recording Society. using found objects and mixed media, O’Brien presents a long-abandoned cache of materials related to the group which explored unexplained phenomena on Staten Island, housed inside an historic outhouse re-cast as a cabinet of curiosities. O’Brien has directed and presented live works at Historic Richmond Town, including the Ghost Tales variety show and the Odd Occurrences live radio drama in October 2020.
Vinny Carbone is a Paranormal Investigator, Public Program Director, Actor, Director, and Comedian. Carbone has directed investigations in museums and historic sites throughout the New York City region, including the Morris-Jumel Mansion and Columbia University.