The National Building Museum is supposed to be the most haunted building in
Washington and figures prominently in most DC ghost story books. However,
the museum is trying very hard to debunk myths about the building, ghostly
and others. The docents are told not to repeat the stories and they don't
feature into docent training or the exhibit about the building. When
visitors ask, I tell them they're stories. But when I'm there at night and
have to walk somewhere on my own, those stories make it a scary walk. I've
been telling the museum for years they should have a special Halloween
program to capitalize on the ghosts, but they're being responsible and
trying not to misinform the public. I like the idea of one of those ghost
chasing shows there too.

The staff here jokes that we're haunted- it helps account for strange
happenings. But noone's ever seen anything and we don't change normal
routines although when here alone, I'll avoid certain areas. And when a
researcher is annoying me, I'll tell the stories so they don't feel quite so
comfortable in the Archives...


Pamela Feltus
Curator
National Museum of American Jewish Military History
1811 R Street NW, Washington DC 20009
202-265-6280 x201

www.nmajmh.org


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Harry Needham [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2002 7:32 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Ghosts & Spirits: How Do You Handle Them?
>
>
> This is a most interesting topic. I have never worked in such
> an institution
> (much to everyone's regret, Horaceville (a.k.a. Pinhey's Point) the
> interesting early 19th century stone manor house at which my
> partner and I
> volunteer, and which certainly looks like it should be
> haunted, isn't and I
> always regret the disappointment on the faces of visitors
> when we tell them
> that!)
>
> I look forward to reading the responses to this string/
>
> Harry Needham Consulting Services Inc.
> Solutions for Heritage Institutions - and others!
> 74 Abbeyhill Drive
> Kanata ON Canada K2L 1H1
> +1.613.831-1068
> FAX: +1.613.831-9412
> [log in to unmask]
>
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