Garrison, NY – The Bird and Bottle Inn has a romantic and colorful history. It began in 1761 when John Warren opened Warren’s Tavern, a popular stage coach stop along Albany Post Road, which was the direct route between New York City and Albany. Warren’s Tavern was a welcoming stop for weary travelers looking to refuel with some rest, food, and a tankard of ale. The tavern had seen many transformations over the years from tavern to farm and grist mill to a fully restored get away from all of life’s challenges.

For as long as I can remember, I have heard people say that the Bird and Bottle Inn in Garrison was haunted. Of course, it peaked my interest. If you have been following my writings for the past couple years, then you know that I am very fond of a ghost story with a rich history behind it. It is believed that the spirit of Emily Warren Roebling remains at the inn overseeing her family home. Her presence is strongly felt by employees and patrons of this unique establishment. I have been to many legendary haunted places in the Hudson Valley and I have to say that the Bird and Bottle Inn, is one of the most pleasant and charming locations I have had the pleasure of visiting. From the creaking of the wooden floors and staircases to the cozy decor of it’s rooms, there is a warmth about the inn that is very comforting and appealing. I am not surprised that the female spirit who reportedly haunts the homestead is equally as endearing.

Emily Warren Roebling was a woman of strength, beauty and intelligence beyond her time. She came from a good family and was well-known in the village of Cold Spring. She is famous for her contributions to her husband’s life work. That body of work is the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the seven wonders of the industrial world, and this is Emily’s story.¹

Emily Warren Roebling the Woman

Let’s step back in time to the late 1800s. It is a period of war and romance. Life in Cold Spring revolves the great Hudson River where steamboats travel carrying passengers to and from the big city and the war activities of the period are ever present. The West Point Foundry is the center of local industry producing arms for the war and is now famous for producing the Parrot rifle, a popular piece of weaponry in high demand. In the center of all of this activity is the story of a strong woman who’s deep love for her husband would cast her into a unique role of for a woman of this period.

The Warren’s were a prominent family in Cold Spring. Not in wealth, but in stature. Emily was the youngest of twelve children and she admired her older brother, Kemble Warren, who was a decorated general in the Civil War and fought in Gettysburg. It was through her brother that she met the love of her life Washington A. Roebling, then a soldier in the Civil War, an engineer and the love of her life. Emily was a beautiful woman and Washington a handsome man. The couple immediately became enamored with each other and married a short time later in a little brick church on Main Street. Life was good for Emily, but soon it would become complicated.

Washington’s father John was the original designer of the Brooklyn Bridge and upon his passing Washington was made chief engineer. This was an exiting challenge for Washington. He was just as committed as his father, but the work conditions were not favorable to bridge workers. Being actively involved in the construction process, he would later suffer from Caisson disease (the bends) at the age of 35. Caisson disease was common among bridge workers due to the extreme pressure they had to endure while working in on the foundation of the bridge within these specially controlled chambers and then reentering the decompressed environment much like divers do. This disease rendered Washington an invalid, but Emily would ensure that his work could continue on.

During her husband’s incapacitation she handled all the correspondence and face to face meetings and protected her husband from the public. Conducting engineering business in this fashion was unheard of at the time. Clearly this was not a woman’s place, but Emily wasn’t just any woman. She was smart and quickly learned the business alongside her husband. At times, the Roeblings would be the subjects of idol gossip. People could be heard saying that the Brooklyn Bridge was being built by a woman. How could that be? Washington would watch and supervise the construction of the bridge from the window of their city home. This would not be without repercussions. Working through political and financial issues, the bridge would soon be celebrated by all. On May 24, 1883, Emily Warren Roebling became the first woman to cross the Brooklyn Bridge on opening day while Washington watched from his window overlooking the city.

After caring for her husband and supporting his good work, it was time for Emily to make her way in the world. She aided many groups during her lifetime. She supported Daughters of the American Revolution and later received a law degree from NYU in 1899. She passed away in 1903 at age 59 from stomach cancer. Washington later took a second spouse. She and Washington now rest together in her hometown in the Cold Spring Cemetery.

I would like to believe that Emily rests peacefully, however it appears that she likes to occasionally pay a visit to the inn during the spring and summer seasons.

The Spirit of Emily

Emily has always made a great impression on the people of Cold Spring and her spirit lives on there. In 1969, Larry Evans, the director of the Bird and Bottle Inn explained that one of the upstairs rooms was to be known as the Emily Warren room and noted that Emily visited her grandparents there often. The Putnam County Historical Society displayed some of her personal belongings at the Foundry School Museum as a tribute to her importance to the village.

Today the inn is owned by Elaine Margolies. She is a charming woman and gracious hostess who has great respect and pride for the inn’s history. Emily has become part of her family. Guests and employees have sensed the presence of a woman in the inn. Some guests have even taken unique photos that could explain the unexplained. Elaine shared the most amazing photo (see image 7 in the photo gallery) taken in the dining room . I saw it as a ghostly image of a woman in old-fashion clothing. I have to believe it is Emily returning to her family home. There have also been reportings of a woman humming in the hall. Emily seems to be a little particular about how her room is arranged. At times the curtains and the chair in her room will be arranged as if someone wanted to peer out the window to enjoy the lovely view.

Visiting the Bird and Bottle Inn

Step back in time and partake in a fine meal, enjoy a cocktail, and soak up the local history of this 18th century inn. If you are looking for a ghostly adventure, ask to stay in the Emily Warren room, which is a very bright and pleasant room. I am sure it’s just the way Emily would want it. If you are lucky, maybe she’ll sing you to sleep.

Photo Gallery

More Information

A special thank you to the Putnam County Historical Society for taking the time to help me research the Bird and Bottle Inn.

The Bird and Bottle Inn Information

Putnam County Historical Society

Cold Spring Cemetery

West Point Foundry

Footnotes:

1. Cadbury, Deborah. “Seven Wonders of the Industrial World.” 2/17/2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/victorians/seven_wonders_01.shtml (accessed April 13, 2011).

Sources:

McCullough, David, (1983), The Great Bridge. New York: Simon & Schuster.

This article is protected by copyright law. Do not reproduce without permission from the author.

This manor truly exceeds every visitor’s expectations – with the exception of one very ugly thing … something of an eye sore …

On the antique fireplace mantel stood proud an old and very ugly tree root.  Norma, the live-in housekeeper, had been instructed over the years to never touch it, and to never throw it out.  Mrs. Dudley, the 90 year old owner of Briarwood Mansion, said that it had been given to her by her deceased husband back in 1861.

Every afternoon, when Mrs. Dudley relaxed next to the fireplace, she would say:  “Norma, in those days my husband was a cowboy in Montana.  When he asked me to be his wife, he said, ‘Agatha, my love, take this tree root as a symbol of my never ending love for you.  Always keep it close to you, and we will be together through the ages.’”

All Norma could think was, “Blah, blah, blah, how can an unsightly twisted thing like that have anything to do with eternal love – that’s rubbish!”  But Mrs. Dudley insisted that within it lies a secret.  A secret so dark, she did not dare speak it from her red painted wrinkled lips.

That summer, sweet old Mrs. Dudley died.  Norma had found her lifeless body draped like a forbidden blanket across the rocking chair.  Beside her lay a note.  Written on it was the name of an attorney.  After a brief phone conversation, Norma found out that she had inherited the mansion … but under one condition … she was to keep the tree root – FOREVER!

Norma picked it up, looked at it with disgust, and uttered, “I’ll burn it!  No way that I will keep this around the house!  Besides, no one will ever notice that it is gone.”  Having said that, and with a heavy heart, Norma threw the root into the burning fireplace.

… Blackout …

… Complete Blackout …

Norma shook her pounding head and seemed confused.

“What happened?”  She thought out loud.

Everything around her had changed.  It was most unusual, the furniture, paintings, even the clothes she was wearing were different – and dated.  The only object which remained familiar was the old tree root which had magically resurrected itself from the ashes, and was now sitting proudly once more on the hand carved mahogany mantel.

Looking through the large window, Norma could see a strangely dressed man standing in her rose garden.  Not recognizing the gentleman, she stepped near the pane and shouted, “Hey!  Get off my property!”

He turned his handsome face towards her, then lovingly replied, “Well, I see you are finally awake, my Dear.  How was your slumber?”

“Such audacity, who does he think he is?”  She mumbled loudly.

“Excuse me?  Who are you?”  She furiously asked.

“I am Walter.  Walter Dudley, your beloved husband.”  He replied with a devoted smile.

If it hadn’t been near the end of June, this bizarre happening could have been a great April Fools’ Day joke – but this was summer!

Norma’s throbbing head simply couldn’t make sense of the situation, so she ran down the hall into the powder room to splash cold water from the wash basin into her face.  That’s when a mysterious voice eerily chimed through the room …

“Normaaaaaaa … NORmaaaaaaaaaaaa …”

Spooked, she quickly turned around only to find that no one was there.  While grabbing the towel to dry her face, Norma glanced up and piercingly screamed in horror as it was NOT her own reflection that stared back at her in the mirror.  NO – it was Mrs. Dudley!

Terrified, she pulled on her face and the skin on her arms … but there was no mistake … Norma was no longer Norma.  She was now trapped inside of the youthful body of Mrs. Agatha Dudley!

At that very moment of ghastly discovery, the nearby window flew open and with the wind the mysterious voice echoed once more:

“She who gets rid of the old tree root becomes Mrs. Dudley back in 1861 for all ages to come!”

Congratulations to our first place winner Petra La Victoire!

Petra LaVictoire is an author, copywriter and aspiring Life Coach.  Some of her work has been published in “The Fallen Leaf Anthology 2010″ and newsletters.  She is currently writing her second novel.

Behind the mask of this hideous creature is none other than Dan Blakeslee and his bag of twisted songs of Halloween. On the last breath of August when beasts and monsters wake from sleep he begins mixing the potion for his haunted creepshow. So dust off that costume and put on those wax lips… oh yes, don’t forget the fake blood.

Now you can see Dan perform as Dr. Gasp no matter where you’re celebrating your Halloween on the east coast.

Listen to more of Dr. Gasp’s Music >

Watch Dr. Gasp perform The Vampire Fish

Misshapen Jack-O-Lantern Tour 2012 Dates

10.5 Lowell, MA UNCHARTED GALLERY 66 Merrimack St. w/Cemetery Blues 8pm

10.6 Nottingham, NH PAWTUCKAWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL (campfire set!) 8pm

10.7 Peterborough, NH SHARON ARTS CENTER 30 Grove St. w/Shea Vaccaro 7pm

10.11 Shelburne Falls, MA MOCHA MAYA’S 47 Bridge Street 7pm

10.12 Brattleboro, VT SXSM (house show) w/Bad Spellers + Happy Jawbone Family Band 7pm

10.13 York, ME HARVEST FESTIVAL 21 Railroad Ave. 5:30pm

10.13 Portsmouth, NH THE PRESS ROOM 77 Daniel St. w/Beware The Dangers Of A Ghost Scorpion 9pm

10.14 Becket, MA DREAM AWAY LODGE 1342 County Road (dinner show!) 6pm

10.15 West Granby, CT HOLCOMB FARM (Barn) 113 Simsbury Rd. 6pm

10.18 Providence, RI THE SALON 57 Eddy St. w/Vudu Sister + Haunt The House 9pm

10.19 Sleepy Hollow, NY COFFEE LABS 7 Main St. 8pm

10.22 Saranac Lake, NY THE WATERHOLE 48 Main St. 7pm

10.23 Burlington, VT RADIO BEAN 8 N. Winooski Ave. 8pm

10.24 Plattsburgh, NY ROTA GALLERY 50 Margaret St. w/ The Toes + The Shandies 7pm

10.25 West Glover, VT PARKER PIE 161 County Road w/Duke Areoplane (Galen / VT Joy Parade) 7:30pm

10.26 Middlesex, VT NUTTY STEPH’S 961 C Route 2 w/Duke Areoplane (Galen / VT Joy Parade) 7pm

10.27 Bretton Woods, NH BASE LODGE 1pm

10.28 Portland, ME BUBBA’S SULKY LOUNGE 92 Portland St. w/Old Soul + Tan Vampires 8pm

10.29 Allston, MA O’BRIENS 3 Harvard Avenue w/ Streight Angular + Crazy Exes From Hell + Haunt The House 8pm

10.30 Salem, MA GULU GULU 247 Essex St. w/Tigersaw 8pm

10.31 Dover, NH BARLEY PUB 328 Central Ave. w/Spinal Tarp 9pm

This is one of the most challenging times for us die-hard horror fans. How many horror flicks can we watch during the 31 days of Halloween? The correct answer—as much as we can consume. Here is a down and dirty guide to point you in the right direction so you don’t get sidetracked and end up at the last house on the left!

SYFY Channel

The mother load of all original horror movies can be watched on the 31 Days of Halloween tightly intertwined with SYFY original movies and shows. Watch movies like House of Bones, Zombie Apocalypse, Headless Horseman, and Pumpkinhead.

Check the October schedule for details.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM)

Turner Classic Movies kicks off the Halloween season with  Night at the Movies: The Horrors of Stephan King, Their schedule includes the classics like The House of Wax, The Tingler, House on Haunted Hill, The Wolfman, Frankenstein, The Haunting and so much more.

Check the 2012 Halloween TV  lineup for complete summaries or each classic movie!

AMC Fear Fest (October 13 – October 31)

This year’s fear feast is  exactly that. Get your fill of Stephan King, Friday the 13th, the Halloween franchise movies, and maybe even a few that you haven’t see before like Motel Hell, and Otis.

Check the 2012 Halloween TV line up and set your DVR.

13 Nights of Halloween – ABC Family

When you get tired of blood and gore, you can watch these delightfully frightful family Halloween movies that have become a tradition. The ABC Family premiere of Tim Burton’s “Edward Scissorhands” will join other Halloween themed programming airing the 13 nights leading up to Halloween (October 19 – October 31).  Enjoy shows like The Goonies, The Adams Family, Beetlejuice, Hocus Pocus, and Scooby Doo.

Check the current Halloween TV schedule.

Chiller TV

Chiller is for  spooky people who haunt 365 days a year. Look for Dead Souls coming on October 12th and more Chiller original movies. During the month of October, you can watch great series like Dead Like Me, Tales from the Darkside, and  The Twilight Zone. The weekends host some great ghostly movies that will make your skin crawl.

IFC (Independent Film Channel)  Get Scared Sh!tless!

Back to back horror movies every Saturday night at 8:00 p.m.

Cemetery tours are fast growing, fun, and exciting ways to learn about local history. Father Charles Kramer of St. James Episcopal Church in Hyde Park, NY quickly learned that their inactive churchyard would become a popular outdoor classroom for both local citizens and visiting tourists. Opening night drew 200 curious crypt creepers out into the dark for a trip back in time.

The Roosevelts were parishioners at St. James Episcopal Church and many family members have been interred in this ancient graveyard.  Franklin D. Roosevelt’s mother Sarah is buried on this quiet and quaint property and, as you will hear, she doesn’t seem quite happy about it. You will recognize many names of the spirits that are supposedly at rest.  You will learn about the Livingstons, Gladys Phipps, Sarah Delano Roosevelt, and more famous people who have called the Hudson Valley home. The connections between these families and United States history is nothing short of amazing.  One attendee stated that they learned more on this tour than they did all year in history class!

As you roam through the darkness,  the crisp air awakens your senses and flickering lights draw your eye to  the ornate stones that line the paths that you travel.   The smartly dressed spirits you  awaken will tell you their stories just as if they were alive today. However, they are aware that they are deceased.

All the hard work that  parishioners and actors have put into this unique event shows a strong dedication to the survival of  local history and St. James Episcopal Church churchyard.  Your hard earned dollars stay in the area and go to a good cause.

Plan your visit today and get your tickets while they are still available.  Tours are held rain or shine on Saturdays until the first week on November.  Tours run every 15 minutes from 7:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Bring your camera. I  guarantee  ghost pictures on this tour.

Listen to Robyn tell her story: 

Produced by BigGuyMedia.com

The sign said “For Sale by Owner.”  I wasn’t looking to buy a home, but without thinking, I felt myself turn the steering wheel onto the gravel driveway.  It was the kind of driveway you’d never notice if the sign hadn’t been there.  Thick forest stretched on at either side in shades of bright orange and golden amber. The house was not visible from the road and I must have driven half a mile before I saw the house.

It was an early October day without a cloud in the sky; just cool enough for a sweater.  Jack and I were going for a drive that day.  The windows were down and Jack hung his head out the window.  With his mouth open and tongue hanging out to the side, he let the wind wash over his golden fur and flap his ears.

When I reached the end of the driveway, I cut the engine and stepped out of my car onto fallen leaves that covered the ground like moss on a stone.  Jack let out a loud bark and I opened the back door to let him out.

The house was small for a Victorian.  Sort of like the builder wanted a cottage and a Victorian and mashed them together.  It was old; probably built before the Civil War was even an apple in Lincoln’s eye.  We stood there looking at each other; the house and me.  The murky windows that seemed to follow me were trimmed with blue shutters.  Some of them were loose on their hinges and they clattered against the house in the early autumn breeze.  The white paint on the siding was chipped and cracked, exposing its worn, earthy color underneath.

The house didn’t look lived in, but it had a presence.  I walked up to the rusted gate that ran along the yard and opened it slowly.  It made a creaking sound that made me grind my teeth.  Jack gave out a little whine.  Our feet shuffled through the leaves as we wandered into the yard.  It was a perfect autumn day.  The kind that makes you feel alive.  I gave in to a sudden burst of energy, and took off running.  Jack gave chase, following close on my heels, barking.

Suddenly, we heard a loud bang coming from the direction of the house.  We both froze and looked up.  The door that had been closed only a few moments ago was now swung wide open.  A dread poured over me that maybe we were being watched.  Jack looked up at me and within seconds, he took off running toward the house.  I chased after him as fast as I could, but Jack was faster.  I called out to him, but he just kept on running like he’d seen a squirrel.  He sprinted up the porch steps and into the house without stopping.  By the time I reached the steps, the door slammed shut.  A panicky fear coursed through my veins.  It prickled at my neck and in my fingertips.  Panting, I reached into my pocket for my cell phone.  “No service!  You’ve got to be kidding me!”  I hollered out again.  “Jack!”  Every fiber of my being told me not to go into that house, but I couldn’t just leave him.  The nearest neighbor must have been at least a mile away.

I climbed the crooked steps slowly, feeling my pulse quicken with each step.  When I reached the door, I put my hand on the old, rusted knob.  I swallowed hard and decided to count to ten before entering.  When I reached eight, I felt the knob twist underneath my hand.  I quickly let go, watching, wide eyed, as it turned.  I thought to myself, this can’t be happening.  My mouth was dry and my hands were clammy from sweat.  The door slowly creaked open and I peered into the darkness.  The darkness inside was unlike any darkness I had ever known.  Perhaps it was my fear that made it appear darker.  But it was heavy and thick.  And it was cold.  It was quiet too.  No sign of Jack.  I hesitated before stepping completely into the house.  “Jack?”  I called.  Then I heard a floor board creak above my head.  I glanced up and it suddenly felt like the house was getting smaller, shrinking right before my very eyes.  I was terrified, but I knew that I had to go up there.

I crept up the stairs, grasping the railing.  The old boards groaned under my feet.  As I neared the top of the steps, I felt the hair rise on the back of my neck.  There was a dark, narrow hallway to my left.  At the end, I could make out the outline of a door.  I moved forward mechanically, as if my body had taken over in spite of my fear.  One foot in front of the other, I reached the door.  I was too afraid now to call for Jack, and even if I wanted to, my voice would not have let me.  I watched like a bystander as my hand turned the knob and pushed open the door.

Light filtered through the only window in the small room.  Dust particles danced in the sun.  I heard something move in the corner.  It was Jack…and something else.  Someone else.  A woman about my age with piercing eyes peered back at me from the shadows.  I could see she wore a long, black mourning dress.  I stood frozen.  She lifted her hand to offer me something.  I opened my hand and she dropped something shiny and round into my palm.  In that moment, I closed my eyes and breathed out.  When I opened them again, Jack and I were standing in a clearing where a house used to be.  I looked down at my hand, and in it was a single, silver ring.

When I looked closer, there appeared to be an inscription. It said  “Remember me”.

Congratulations to our second place winner of our annual Ghost Story contest!

Robin H. Moore

Robyn Moore is a Halloween enthusiast who lives in New England with her husband and four cats.  She is an Executive Assistant by day and a Halloween doll maker by night.  She was published in the 2012 winter edition of ”Stuffed!” magazine. You can find her work at www.foreverfall.etsy.com.

Will Diary-Queen put these colorful cookies in a blizzard, or how about cups cakes. I can’t wait to see what foodies come up with using this corny little sugary delights.

I don’t know about you, but I am heading to Target to get at least one bag for the kitchen witch. Will this 100-year old brand cookie outdo the Cadbury Scream Egg. We shall my spooky friends, we shall see.