Famous haunted doll to appear at historic orphanage July 11–13
The Annabelle doll, which is said to be one of the most haunted objects on the planet, will be making a very rare public appearance this weekend in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the grounds of the Soldiers Orphanage Homestead. The doll, which is in the Warren Occult Museum in Connecticut, will be on display starting Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 13.
The appearance of the doll, as part of the "Devils on the Run" paranormal tour contains Tony Spera, who is the son-in-law of Ed and Lorraine Warren (the two late paranormal investigators who took possession of the doll back in the 1970s), now handles the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) who organized this proposed tour event.
The doll that inspired the Annabelle horror film series will be displayed in a secure glass case under heavy staff monitoring. The exhibit will be open to the public daily during the event, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ghost Hunt Event Sold Out, Limited Viewing Access Still Available
In addition to the doll, guests will also have the opportunity to explore the Soldiers Orphanage Homestead, a building with its own long history of ghost sightings and reported paranormal activity. Spera and his crew stated that the site was chosen not simply because of its historical ties to the United States, but its widely known reputation as one of the most haunted places in Gettysburg.
On Friday, July 11 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m there will also be a late night ghost hunting experience in both the Orphanage and the nearby Jennie Wade House. The nighttime experience has sold out online, but there might be a limited number of walk-up tickets that will be available on the day of the event.
If you plan to attend the daytime tour, expect crowds - we recommend arriving early! The security staff will be monitoring guests and artifacts, but no one is permitted to touch the Annabelle doll or case at any time.
The Annabelle doll usually resides in the Warren Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, which has been closed to the public for several years due to zoning issues. Because of that, this is one of the only ways for the public to see the infamous artifact.
The Soldiers Orphanage Homestead was built in the 1860s and originally served as a place to house and educate children who lost their families in the Civil War. However, over the years, it has developed a reputation for being haunted, with numerous reports of unexplained sounds, voices, and sightings all over the building.
The organizers of the tour say that the combination of a haunted location and the history of the Annabelle doll make this a unique experience.
Local partnerships and Soldiers orphanage homestead history add depth to the haunted exhibit
Although the authentic Annabelle doll is expected to arrive in Gettysburg this weekend, new information is emerging about the event beyond what has already been shared in most headlines. The Annabelle doll, now known as a haunted doll from the Conjuring universe will be at the Soldiers Orphanage Homestead (the one that is haunted) from July 11 - 13; as part of the paranormal tour hosted by the New England Society for Psychic Research (starting in 1869 and now owner of the Warren Occult Museum's collection). What you may not realize is that this event is also being supported by the local company Ghostly Images of Gettysburg, a long-standing local tour company specializing in haunted locations. With their support, the Annabelle exhibit ensures that the history of the location is presented with the creepy backstory of Annabelle the haunted doll.
The Gettysburg Orphanage, referred to officially as the Soldiers National Orphan Homestead, was founded in 1866 to care for children of fathers who died while fighting in the Civil War. The Orphanage was established at 777 Baltimore Street and was mere steps from the battlefield in Gettysburg. The Orphanage was part of the national effort after the war to help families of fallen Union soldiers.
The homestead was viewed as a reconciliatory and healing type of institution to help support the aftermath of a horrible war. The orphanage relied in part on public donations and was close to Soldiers' National Cemetery, where many fathers were buried.
Originally founded with benevolent motives, the orphanage took a tragic turn towards the dark side of its own history in the 1870s with the arrival of Rosa Carmichael, a teacher who later became the head matron. Documentation and local folklore suggest that Carmichael subjected the children to harsh, even cruel, discipline techniques, including isolating children in the basement (sometimes referred to as a "dungeon"!).
Chains, shackles, and a punishment room were purportedly housed in the building's basement and lend credence to suggestions of child abuse. Records from this period are sparse, but serious allegations were made against Carmichael for cruelty. It is said she left the orphanage shortly thereafter.
Today, this structure is known not just for its historic merit, but also for its paranormal reputation. Visitors (and tour guides) have experienced unexplainable sounds, voices, temperature changes or cold spots, and even feeling physical sensations during their visit (while in the basement). The orphanage could be featured in a nice selection of ghost tours and ghost investigations, including being featured on national paranormal television shows.
It is a haunted history that contributes a good setting for such an event as Annabelle's appearance - or rather it reinforces the eeriness of the event.
Other Notable Artifacts Will Also Be on Display
Several other artifacts from the Warren Occult Museum will be displayed with Annabelle. Each object carries its own disturbing story and reputation. They have all been shown before at private events or on television, but this is one of just a few times they are being displayed publicly in one of America’s most haunted towns.
Some of the other artifacts expected to be displayed include:
The Shadow Doll
The Shadow Doll is arguably one of the most unsettling items in the Warrens' collection. It is said to be put together with materials that are reportedly sinister and sinister with benign materials that include:
- Human bones and teeth
- Bird feathers
- Animal parts
- Nails and fabric with twine
According to Ed and Lorraine Warren, the doll was made as part of a ritual to harm or curse a person. The unique thing about the Shadow Doll is that it is specifically said to "enter people's dreams", much like a supernatural parasite. Several people who claim to have seen this doll (in person or via photographs) report going through horrible nightmares, sleep paralysis, and a significant amount of fear.
Witnesses said the doll looks disturbing. It is said to have a huge grin that is extremely disturbing depending on how you categorize as a big smile; its eyes are dark and sunken in, and the Warrens were convinced this was pure black magic, sent to haunt or do some sort of spiritual attack or haunting through someone's dreams. Since the Shadow Doll cannot be burned, it is housed in a "safe" in hopes of avoiding further spiritual malaise.
The Conjuring Mirror
Also known as the Scrying Mirror, this object is thought to be used in ritualized summoning of spirits and contacting the dead. In the paranormal community, scrying is a divination method used by staring into reflective surfaces (mirrors, crystal balls, water, etc.) to receive visions or gain contact supernatural entities.
The Warrens seized the mirror during an investigation. They stated the object was being used for rituals of conjuration. The last owner stated she would light candles and stare into the mirror for long periods of time, trying to summon spirits. They began to see shadow people, faces, and even whole body apparitions coming through the mirror.
After the mirror came into the Warrens' possession, people that came into contact with the mirror said it gave them strange feelings such as, chills, discomfort, and visions while looking into it. For safety, the object is currently kept behind a glass and is off limits to the public.
Devil’s Rocking Chair
This chair was thrust into the national spotlight because of its connection to the real-life "Devil Made Me Do It" case, the first U.S. murder trial where demonic possession was used as a defense in court. In the early 1980s, Ed and Lorraine Warren investigated a case involving a young boy named David Glatzel who was apparently possessed by a demon. During the exorcism sessions of the boy, the Warrens claimed, along with several clergy and family witnesses, that the rocking chair moved on its own, levitated, and even vibrated violently.
During one session, Lorraine Warren said she saw a dark figure standing behind the chair as the boy was thrown from it. After the possession was ended, the rocking chair was stored away, but those who encountered it later claimed they felt sick, dizzy, or disoriented in the presence of the chair.
The rocking chair became so infamous that it was featured in the movie adaption, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021). The chair is now being kept in a controlled environment, due to its dark past and the energy surrounding the chair.
Satanic Idol
The Satanic Idol is a statue of human size, found in the woods of Connecticut during an investigation. The Warrens presume that it was connected to an alleged satanic cult that performed rituals. The statue is made of stone and resembles a horned demon figure, or what is often seen in images of Baphomet.
Local authorities assumed that the idol was used for black mass ceremonies that included animal sacrifices and demonic invocations. One the Warrens brought the statue back to the museum, staff began to notice strange things happening around the statue—power surges, strange smells, and cold spots with no scientific explanation.
Lorraine Warren thought that the idol had a strong dark presence that warned people that if you touched it would bring bad luck or summon something spiritually harmful. Over the years, several people have reported suddenly becoming ill, or suffering from an accident, or having nightmares after being in proximity to the statue. Because of the idol's reputation, it is presented in the museum with strong spiritual safeguards.
What Visitors Should Know Before Attending
Though all of the focus has been on Annabelle herself, there are a number of exclusions of importance for guests coming to the museum. These include safety policies, accessibility, and various logistical arrangements while on site.
The doll itself will be secured behind a locked display case and under watch throughout the event. There will be security on site and touching the display will not be permitted. You can expect that photography rules will vary by area, but it will likely be discouraged in some capacity near the Annabelle exhibit.
Here are some other things to know:
-
Age: The ghost hunt on Friday night (July 11) is 18+ only, but the daytime view of the exhibit is open to all ages, although we recommend using caution when bringing children.
- Accessibility: The building is only partially accessible. For visitors with mobility challenges, they may have difficulty accessing the basement, which is a key area for the tour.
- Parking: There is limited parking close to the venue. Guests will be encouraged to park at public lots such as, for example, the Gettysburg Transit Center, and walk to the event location.
- Photography: Photos of some areas may be allowed (but likely not around the Annabelle display). Visitors should, in all cases, listen to the staff throughout the tour.
Organizers also confirmed that the ghost hunt on Friday night is already sold out. They may release a few walk-up tickets if there is room, but the daytime viewing sessions from Friday through Sunday will be open to everyone, with expected crowds.
This is one of the rare occasions the actual Annabelle doll (which is kept at the Warren Occult Museum in Connecticut) has been on public display. With the museum currently closed to visitors, this offer is a rare chance to see the famous artifact up close while also visiting one of Gettysburg's most haunted buildings!
