These Jonesborough ghost stories are on YouTube:

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About the Guest: Anne Mason of Jonesborough, TN

Anne G’Fellers-Mason is the current program director of the McKinney House, formerly with the Heritage Alliance of of Northeast Tennessee & Southwest Virginia. She co-authored the book Haints and Hollers: New Ghost Tales from Appalachia, available on Amazon. She’s even familiar with Woolly Days, featured in Becky’s hilarious childhood summer camp story, Magic in Appalachia (or Shearer Terror). In this interview she shares true ghost stories about several haunted locations in and around Jonesborough, TN.

Haunted Places In Jonesborough Mentioned in Anne’s Ghost Stories

The Chester Inn

The Chester Inn is a historic site housing the Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. It’s also the oldest commercial building in Jonesborough, built in 1797. It is now a museum that offers tours to the public. But it was once a haunted apartment building that Anne’s grandparents lived in.

The inn has a spooky reputation, attracting the attention of paranormal investigators. The inn has been the subject of several paranormal investigations. These include events open to the public where participants can join in the investigation led by professional teams.

The McKinney House

This current art museum started its life as a segregated schoolhouse: the historic Booker T. Washington School (not the one Diana is an alumnus of), which was built in 1939. In 2010, the Town of Jonesborough decided to restore the school. Today, it houses the Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts and is also available for special events.

The transformation of the McKinney Center into a community arts center marks an important part of Jonesborough history. For more information, you can visit the Town of Jonesborough website.

Duncan House

The Duncan House was built in the 1840s. It is a historic site that now houses the Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The Alliance preserves the architectural, historical, and cultural heritage of the region. For more information, you can explore the Washington County, Tennessee Department of Records Management and Archives website here.

Anne heard footsteps on the stairs for years while working in this grand old house. Then, they mysteriously stopped. Did the spirit move on, or did he just decide to stay downstairs from then on?

The Mars Hill Theater (not in Jonesborough)

The Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre (SART) is the professional theatre company of Owen Theatre in Mars Hill, North Carolina. This theatre produces a range of plays since 1974, many of which highlight the heritage of Southern Appalachia.

Anne helped SRS Paranormal investigate this haunted theater. For more information about the theater and its productions, you can visit the SART website.

Jonesborough Stories About Ghosts and Graveyards

A Play in the Graveyard

Anne wrote an original, research-based play called “A Spot on the Hill.” Fascinatingly, you can watch it in the Old Jonesborough haunted cemetery every October. This theatrical experience narrates the stories of individuals interred in the cemetery, how they came to Jonesborough, and their fates.

The play is presented among the headstones of the actual cemetery, providing an immersive, spooky, and historically rich experience. The proceeds from ticket sales are used for tombstone restoration and preservation in the Old Jonesborough Cemetery. For more information and ticket details, you can visit the Heritage Alliance website.

The Jonesborough Cholera Pit

Anne tells us of a new development in old history. Just last year, a significant historical discovery was made by cemetery volunteer “Graveyard” Gordon Edwards. Edwards used GPR technology to locate a long-rumored mass grave from the cholera epidemic of 1873. This epidemic claimed around 35 residents of Jonesborough in a span of a month. Edwards’ research on the victims led him to a specific section of the Old Jonesborough Cemetery. His findings suggest the presence of a mass grave, potentially containing 15-20 individuals.

This discovery is an important piece in understanding the town’s history and the impact of the cholera epidemic. The Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee & Southwest Virginia provides more details on this discovery on their website.

Do you work in a haunted historical building?

We still believe that working in a haunted place is the best way to reliably encounter a spirit. Even if you never hear or see them, you can be sure the ghosts are constantly gossiping about you. And like Anne, maybe say “hi” to the spirits when you get to work every day, just in case. You never know who you’ll inspire to have a spooky day!

The post All the Ghosts are Talking About Me appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Listen to this episode here.

Episode Summary

This episode couldn’t get more classic. First, Kimberly talks about her encounters with spirits and Ouija. Then, she continues with stories of tarot, cemeteries, and magic—specifically the kind of magic required for yogurt-making. When she is recruited to keep the night watchman company in an old haunted theater, she just can’t resist taking that big empty stage. Apparently, the building wasn’t as vacant as she thought!

Episode Promos

Episode podcast promo by I Have a Strange Story podcast

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Episode Show Notes

About Kimberly Gordon

Kimberly is a world-traveler, but to see and hear her, you might think she was also a time-traveler. Her warm honeyed voice brings hundred-year-old songs back to life, and her esthetic embraces elevated speakeasy-couture. She was one of the first women to hold a residency at the historic Smalls Jazz Club in New York. When she’s not singing, Kimberly practices other forms of magic, including kitchen witchery. Be sure to follow her artistic, photographic, and foodie adventures while waiting for a live performance to come to your city.

If you’re interested in hearing Kimberly’s recorded music, be sure to check out one of her albums!

Kimberly’s official bio:

Fourth generation Chicagoan and critically lauded vocalist Kimberly Gordon is sought after by the elite jazz listener. Kimberly’s grandfather was a dancer at the historic Chêz Pareé nightclub and her Nana was a camera girl there, a position aquired by childhood friend and mobster Sam Giancana. These stories and personal ties to Chicago nightclub history laid the foundation for Kimberly’s love of early 20th century music. With a deep understanding of the American Songbook it has led her on a path that celebrates composers, lyricists, and jazz masters alike.

In New York City, Kimberly was the first woman to hold a Saturday night residency at the now historic Smalls Jazz Club in Manhattan. Kimberly’s years in N.Y.C allowed her to perform with jazz greats such as Roy Hargrove, Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Teddy Edwards, Clark Terry, Doc Cheatham, and John Hicks, just to name a handful. 

Kimberly’s sound reflects the old school style of delivering standards, deeply rooted in the ways of the masters, always true to the melody as written; this separates her from the rest. 

When she is not touring Europe or hiding from a pandemic you can find Kimberly Sunday nights at Le Piano weaving her way through the American songbook with long-time pianist/organist Chris Foreman.

References

The notorious Al Capone had his own private booth (and personal entrance fanfare at The Green Mill cocktail lounge in Uptown Chicago, a music joint established in 1907. Becky and Kimberly may have crossed paths at this very place years ago, unbeknownst to them at the time.

Cartomancy: Tarot cards vs. playing cards

Which one came first? Are playing cards used for fortune-telling? Are tarot cards based off of classic playing cards? Would you get your fate foretold with Homespun Haints Tarot cards??? (Not to give too many spoilers, but this might be possible in the near future!)

Thank you for listening to our podcast of true paranormal stories!

Homespun Haints Podcast is currently interviewing people with true personal paranormal stories. Please click this link to submit your story, and we’ll be in touch soon. Until next time, have a spooky day!

The post The Ghosts Came Back for Jazz appeared first on Homespun Haints.