SUMMERSVILLE, WV (WOAY) – The last Haunted History Walking Tour of the year in Summersville is a must-see.
Author and ghost tour owner Sherri Brake shares folklore, Appalachian history and paranormal stories, from Mothman to Braxton County Green Monster as she leads you through the streets, and then the cemetery.
“Halloween’s a fascinating time because this is the night the veil’s thin between the worlds,” Brake said. “It’s been celebrated for thousands of years, not as Halloween but as Samhain (a Celtic festival).”
From outrageous costumes to trick or treat to haunted history, take a walk through the unexpected ancient roots of Halloween and its esoteric traditions.
Thousands of people worldwide, with different ethnicities, customs, countries, and spiritual and religious beliefs had visitation.
“They’ve seen something or felt something that caused them to question their beliefs,” said the ghost tour owner. “When thousands of people like that have experiences, you can’t discredit it. Some are so afraid to come forward with what happened to them because they don’t want anybody to think they’re crazy.”
According to Brake, her ghost tours connect families, elicit proposals, and even marriages. There is a genuine curiosity… experiencing it in a group setting provides a sense of safety and comfort, and many repeatedly return.
“I want to see proof and I know people that come on the tour are like that as well. They might not see something or feel something or smell something or have something unusual happen to them, but chances are they’re gonna have a really good time exploring,” the author said. “And they’re gonna learn about history and architecture and customs and folklore and superstitions. It’s kind of like a well-rounded package. And to be skeptic, I’m all for that.”
The history of Halloween (Samhain) marked the time between autumn equinox and winter solstice.
“On October 31 and this was the night the dead would come out and walk among us and the evil spirits would as well. That began the custom of dressing up in something, not of yourself,” Brake said it’s how costumes originated. “Because if you hid behind a mask, then the devil and evil spirits wouldn’t be able to find you. Back in the old days, they would hand out soul cakes (to release hungry ghosts from purgatory).”
Earth energy, spirit energy; the ghost tour owner says if you follow the law of thermodynamics, where energy never goes completely away — it just changes shape or form…
“There’s intrigue in what lies beyond, whether you want to call it the supernatural; I don’t like to call it the occult or anything. Just curious what happens after we die,” said Brake, adding, if we become an orb or a mist.
“Do we lie in the ground until Judgment Day? It depends on what religion you are. There’s that fascination, excitement about ‘maybe something happening.’ Most of the time nothing does, but when it does, ‘Oh boy.'”
IF YOU WANT TO GO
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 1, 8pm
WHERE: Meet in front of Nicholas County Courthouse
RESERVATIONS: https://www.hauntedhistory.net/haunted-history-walk-of-summersville-wv.html or in-person
