"Haunted Boston Harbor" hits August 23, 2016

Ghosts lurk in the waters near Boston’s historic seaport, haunting the secluded islands scattered throughout the harbor. Boston Harbor brims with the restless spirits of pirates, prisoners and victims of disease and injustice. Uncover the truth behind the Lady in Black on Georges Island. Learn about the former asylums on Long Island that inspired the movie Shutter Island, and dig up the skeletal secrets left behind by the Woman in Scarlet Robes. From items flying off the shelves at a North End cigar shop to the postmortem cries of tragedy at the centuries-old Boston Light on Little Brewster, author Sam Baltrusis breathes new life into the horrors that occurred in the historic waters surrounding Boston.

The Lady in Black has slashed prices for a limited time HERE. Save 13 percent on pre-orders.
 

"Paranormal Provincetown" by author Sam Baltrusis

Known as the spot where the Pilgrims first set foot on Cape Cod in 1620, it's no surprise that Provincetown, Massachusetts, is a hotspot for tourists as well as hauntings―including over twenty historic, crime, nightlife, overnight, secret, and Truro haunts. Take a stroll along Commercial Street where the historic Lancy mansion is allegedly haunted by an old woman who died in the late 1800s, but due to the frozen ground, she couldn't be buried, so her son kept her propped up at an open window all winter long. Learn about the historic "Black Flash" of Provincetown―a grim reaper-type beast that would snatch children away in the 1930s. From the historic maritime-themed buildings lining Commercial Street to the shores of the Provincetown Harbor, it is clear that there is hardly a corner of the tip of Cape Cod where the paranormal cannot be experienced.

 Click HERE to pre-order the book. Here's the book trailer:

'13 Most Haunted in Massachusetts' will be unleashed 10.13.15

Paranormal journalist and "Ghosts of Boston" author Sam Baltrusis has traveled all over Massachusetts in search of New England's most haunted.

From the oldest continuously operating hotel the Omni Parker House to the beautiful but extremely active Haunted Victorian in Gardner, Baltrusis breathes new life into the long departed.

Check out "13 Most Haunted in Massachusetts" HERE.

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Here's a sneak peek of the 30-minute documentary:

Cambridge Haunts ghost tour ended on Saturday, Sept. 26

NOTE:  We're moving the Cambridge Haunts tour to Boston Haunts for the month of October. If you purchased a LivingSocial or Groupon, it's still valid for for the 7:30 p.m. tours in Boston.

Explore the secrets of old Cambridge with a lantern-led walk through Harvard Square's historic haunts.

Travel back through history to witness the early days of Harvard Yard, learn about the city's ghastly tales of murder and uncover the truth behind some of Harvard Square's more infamous ghosts.

Which Ivy League hall is the Yard's most haunted? Who is Holbrook Smith? Which Harvard Square church boasts a ghost of a fallen redcoat? What's the Kirkland Street Nightmare? The 90-minute long Harvard Square walking tour leaves precisely at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday --rain or shine--beginning Saturday, May 30 through Sept. 26.

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Cambridge Haunts promotion from our friends at LivingSocial

Snagged a LivingSocial deal here? Email us at info@cambridgehaunts.com with the day you would like to go (Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.) and the size of your party and we will gladly book your tour.

Remember, we have an Insidious 3 promotion on Friday, May 29 ... so sign up soon.

Here's the lowdown:

Great for a night with your significant other, a friend, or a double date, Cambridge Haunts gives you a ghouling good time loaded with history and mystery:

• $15 ($30 value) for two tickets for the Harvard Square ghost tour
• $25 ($60 value) for four tickets for the Harvard Square ghost tour
• Learn about some of Harvard Square's most infamous spirits while touring the area on foot by lantern light

Click here for the LivingSocial promotion. It's for a limited time only. Also, we will accept the vouchers for tours in September and October. We just ask that you book your tour before August.

 

Groupon reservation hub for Cambridge Haunts ghost tour

Snagged a Living Social deal here? Email us at info@cambridgehaunts.com with the day you would like to go and the size of your party and we will gladly book your tour.

Scored a Groupon? Spooktacular. However, you need to schedule your tour ASAP. Follow these simple steps to redeem your deal. Each tour has a limited number of slots so we strongly recommend scheduling your tour sooner rather than later especially with Halloween creeping around the corner:

However, you need to schedule your tour ASAP. Follow these simple steps to redeem your deal. Each tour has a limited number of slots so we strongly recommend scheduling your tour sooner rather than later:

1). Click on the "Enter promotional code" link at the bottom of the registration form.

2). Enter your unique eight-digit alpha code next to the barcode and without the hyphen, hit "apply" and either Groupon-2 or Groupon-4 will pop up based on your deal.

3). Then, go to the "select date" pull-down menu. Also, you need to specify the size of your party based on the Groupon purchased (quantity is either 2 or 4).

4). Hit the "register" button and then enter your information on the next screen. You will automatically receive an email with tickets to the event.

5). Show up 15-minutes before the tour coming from State Street of the MBTA's Orange or Blue Lines and dress accordingly for the colder weather. Enjoy!

Click here for a step-by-step tutorial on how to schedule your tour. Or, contact us via email at info@cambridgehaunts.com.

IMPORTANT: When entering your 8-letter Groupon code into the scheduling system, don't use the hyphen (so it's ABCDEFGH and not ABCD-EFGH). Also, it's the 8-digit number on your Groupon next to the barcode and NOT the alpha-numeric confirmation code. Email us at info@cambridgehaunts.com with any questions.

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Spirited post-tour dining option at Grafton Group's PARK

The most asked question on our popular Cambridge Haunts walking tour? What Harvard Square haunt would we recommend to top off their already spirited evening. We send them to PARK Restaurant & Bar.

Yep, we've dug up some interesting ghost lore associated with the 59 JFK Street restaurant:

The Newtowne Market jail was built between Winthrop Square and Eliot Street (currently home to Staples and the restaurant called PARK in Harvard Square) in 1692 when the witch-hunt mentality started to sweep New England. Many women, and some men, who were accused of cavorting with evil and Quakers like Anne Hutchinson, were imprisoned there but never hanged. Some like Lydia Dustin, who was declared not guilty of the dark arts, but couldn’t afford the prison fees died tragically in shackles. In contrast, Dustin’s relative Elizabeth Coleson was also accused and found not guilty of dark arts. She was released several days before her grandmother’s tragic death on March 10, 1693.

So, when an assistant manager at PARK talked about several alleged encounters with the paranormal at the Harvard Square restaurant, he was surprised by its historical back story. Its past as Cambridge's witch jail possibly left a psychic imprint, or a residual mark, on the location. According to a recent interview, the manager sensed an authoritative presence while working upstairs and was shot by rubber bands by a pesky poltergeist that came from no where. Glasses mysteriously shattered at PARK and owners were shocked to find all of the glass shelving "which was thick" behind the bar shatter in a "very violent way." Was it an accused witch declaring her postmortem innocence?

Apps for Apps! Download the new Grafton Group app and make a reservation using the app (and include a note on the reservation about being a new mobile app user) before May 31 to redeem a special off-menu appetizer exclusive to users. Tell them that Cambridge Haunts sent you!

Upcoming appearance on Bio Channel's 'Haunted Encounters'

Based on my recently taped stint as Boston's paranormal expert on the Biography Channel's "Haunted Encounters: Face to Face," spirits are serious business. The on-camera interview, which was shot in front of the Central Burying Ground and facing what I called Boston's “haunted corridor” near the corner of Boylston and Tremont Streets, explored the residual energy, or psychic imprint, left over from the 1897 gas-line explosion.

Yes, the "Haunted Encounters" crew managed to explore the abandoned subway tunnels connected to the country's oldest trolley station, Boylston Street. Fast forward to 1:16 on the video above to get a sneak peek of my appearance on the new paranormal show. Click here to read the Common Haunts chapter in "Ghosts of Boston: Haunts of the Hub," which gives the historical back story to the alleged hauntings.

"Haunted Encounters: Face to Face" premieres on Friday, Nov. 30 with an investigation of one my favorite regional haunts, the Lizzie Borden house in Fall River.

"Ghosts of Boston: Haunts of the Hub" author Sam Baltrusis's segment, called "Boston's Haunted Underworld," is tentatively slotted to air Friday, December 7 at 10 p.m. on the Biography Channel.

Click here for the lowdown and here to order my book before the holiday rush.

Harvard scare? Cambridge Haunts Halloween tours at 7 p.m.

Listen up, guys and ghouls. Forget Salem this Halloween and head to Harvard Square to get your fix of ghoulish ghost stories and ghastly tales of murder. Yep, our "haunted happenings" is only a T ride away.

Thanks to the overwhelming success of our Cambridge Haunts: Haunted Harvard Square Ghost Tour at 7:30 p.m. nightly, we've added additional tours starting at 7 p.m. on popular nights in October and ending Saturday, Nov. 3.

Explore the secrets of old Cambridge with a lantern-led walk through Harvard Square's historic haunts. Travel back through history to witness the early days of Harvard Yard, learn about the city's ghastly tales of murder and uncover the truth behind some of Harvard Square's more infamous ghosts. Which Ivy League hall is the Yard's most haunted? Who is Holbrook Smith? Which Harvard Square church boasts a ghost of a fallen redcoat? What is the Nightmare on Kirkland Street?

The 90-minute long haunted Harvard Square Halloween walking tour leaves nightly--rain or shine--through Saturday, Nov. 3. We also have additional slots available for our 7:00 p.m..

Our tour hotline is 800-431-7422. Contact us via email at info@cambridgehaunts.com.

Historical-Based Ghost Tour Explores Haunted Harvard Square

When it comes to spirits, fact is stranger than fiction.

Cambridge Haunts is based on actual historical tales of paranormal activity. With our haunted Harvard tour, we don't boast over-the-top costumes or embellish our ghost stories for entertainment value. We don't need the grandiose theatrics ... our stories are creepy enough. The reported, first-hand accounts are based on actual research ... and not made up tales from the crypt.

The reviews are in and our spirit squad is smitten with Cambridge Haunts.

Explore the secrets of old Cambridge with a lantern-led walk through Harvard Square's historic haunts.

Travel back through history to witness the early days of Harvard Yard, learn about the city's ghastly tales of murder and uncover the truth behind some of Harvard Square's more infamous ghosts.

Which Ivy League hall is the Yard's most haunted? Who is Holbrook Smith? Which Harvard Square church boasts a ghost of a fallen redcoat? What's the Kirkland Street Nightmare?

The 90-minute long Harvard Scare walking tour leaves precisely at 7:30 p.m. seven nights a week--rain or shine--beginning Saturday, Sept. 1 through Halloween. Thanks to the overwhelming success of our Cambridge Haunts: Haunted Harvard Square Ghost Tour, we've added additional tours starting at 7 p.m. on popular nights in October and ending Saturday, Nov. 3. Click here to reserve a Cambridge Haunts Weekend slot.

As far as haunted sites, the information was pulled directly from the "Ghosts of Boston: Haunts of the Hub" book which was released on Tuesday, Sept. 11. In addition to the ghostlore, the haunted Harvard tour boasts spooky tales from the crypt pulled from the darker side of Cambridge's history.

Click here to pre-order tickets for one of the creepier, and historically accurate, tours around this Halloween season. Yes, fact is stranger than fiction.

John G. says:  
It was a great tour - the best my wife and I have seen in Greater Boston. Rob did a fantastic job. Look forward to seeing you guys grow. 

Corey R. says: 
Just took a haunted tour with Hank. I really enjoyed the experience and Hank was a phenomenal tour guide (ask for him if you can!) Just the right blend of humor and terror made for an enjoyably spooky evening! After living in the area for three years I never realized how much history there was that I didn't know. 

Cambridge Day article here:  
The Cambridge Haunts: Harvard Square Ghost Tour isn’t all scares. There’s plenty of history in it without death and gore. Guides on the 90-minute Halloween-time tour will note such spots as the Old Burial Ground, which put paupers, former slaves and Harvard presidents side by side as early as the 1600s, and Christ Church, which dates back to 1758 and has played host to such figures as Teddy Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr. They’ll bust myths as well, explaining why you should never touch John Harvard’s toe for good luck in Harvard Yard or be sure exactly where George Washington declared that The Colonies were at war with England. But scares and gore there are.

Orb or light anomaly? Spirited photo at the burial ground by Rob O.

Cambridge Haunts tour guides get into the spirit at OSMH

Book launch at Old South Meeting House

Want to get into the spirit? The Cambridge Haunts crew, on hiatus until Friday, September 21 to prepare for the super-busy Halloween season, enjoyed a spooky evening at the "Ghosts of Boston: Haunts of the Hub" book launch event at the Old South Meeting House.

Adam Berry, who was on assignment with Syfy's Ghost Hunters in Upstate New York and a paranormal resource for the Cambridge Haunts script, drove in and joined the festivities at what is considered the epicenter of the country's Freedom of Speech movement. Ben Franklin was baptized in this building. It's also the birthplace of the American Revolution.

Dan Blakeslee as Dr. Gasp

The tour's poster illustrator Dan Blakeslee, performing as the ghastly Dr. Gasp, kicked off the evening with his Halloween-inspired acoustic set. Comedian Jim Lauletta introduced author Sam Baltrusis.

Scott Trainito and Mike Baker, the lead investigators of Para-Boston, kicked off the panel discussion and gave a scientific spin on alleged paranormal activity in the historic building and chatted about their approach to investigating. Their findings? The Para-Boston team did record an EVP (electromagnetic voice phenomenon) of a male voice saying, "Who's there?" There were also first-hand accounts of chains rattling in the lower area of the OSMH and a bizarre recording anomaly coming from the building's steeple.

Adam Berry from Syfy's Ghost Hunters

Any evidence of the so-called Revolutionary War-era horse spirit lingering in the building? Naaaay .. or is it "neigghhhh." Of course, the EVP could have been an undead Mr. Ed. However, several visitors to the building have reported smelling hay and one woman who recently tied the knot in the Old South Meeting House said she had a close encounter with the horse spirit.

Ashley is your weekend guide

For the record, the Redcoats ransacked the building during the Revolutionary War and used it as a horse stable and riding school for British soldiers. George Washington walked by the building during the late 1700s and was extremely unhappy with how the Brits desecrated this important landmark.

Jeffrey Doucette, a tour guide with Haunted Boston, discussed his experiences with the supernatural in the Boston Common and Adam Berry, who was escorted to the stage by Cambridge Haunts tour guide and performer Ashley Michelle, chatted about a close encounter with a school spirit at his Boston Conservatory dorm.

Over the weekend, "Ghosts of Boston: Haunts of the Hub" ranked #42 on Amazon's Folklore & Mythology best seller list. Click here to check out the buzzworthy book. Also, there are several slots open this weekend with the Cambridge Haunts: Harvard Square Ghost Tour. Book now ... if you dare.

Cambridge Haunts tour guide Rob Oftring is your Wednesday host

Cambridge haunts featured in Harvard Square Ghost Tour

--Photos by Rob Oftring, ghost tour guide and photographer

Limited-edition Harvard Square Ghost Tour poster

Here's the limited-edition poster designed by illustrator/musician Dan Blakeslee and his Halloween alter-ego "Doctor Gasp" for the Harvard Square Ghost Tour running from Saturday, Sept.1-Wednesday, Oct. 31. Boo!

Upcoming 'Ghosts of Boston: Haunts of the Hub' book signings

There are a slew of book signings and events scheduled for September/October 2012. Here are a few highlights:

 * 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at the Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington Street in Downtown Boston. Launch event with special guests from the paranormal community. Tickets are $5 in advance here.

* 7-8 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2012 at the Brookline Public Library, 361 Washington St. in Brookline Village.

* Noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the The Book Shop, 694 Broadway in Somerville's Ball Square

* 7 p.m. Monday, October 8, 2012 at the Harvard COOP, 1400 Massachusetts Ave. in Harvard Square

* 7-8 p.m. Thursday, October 11, 2012 at the BPL's Brighton Branch library, 40 Academy Hill Rd. in Brighton. 

* 2-4 p.m. Saturday, October 13, 2012 at Johnny Cupcakes, 279 Newbury St. in Boston's Back Bay.

 * 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 18, 2012 at the Provincetown Library, 356 Commercial St. in Provincetown. 

* 7-8 p.m. Monday, October 22, 2012 at the Weymouth Public Library's Tufts Library, 46 Broad St. in Weymouth.

 * 2-4 p.m. Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the History Press booth Boston Book Festival in Boston's Back Bay.

* 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, October 29, 2012 at the BPL's Adams Street Branch library, 690 Adams St. in Dorchester. 

 * 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 338 Newbury St. in Back Bay. 

 * TBD November 2012 at Paranormal Books & Curiosities, 627 Cookman Ave. in Asbury Park, NJ. Special preview book signing. 

To book the author, email him directly at sjbaltrusis@yahoo.com or contact publicist Katie Parry at the History Press. Check back for updates.