Plymouth’s history with ghosts goes back centuries. Stories of Victorian apparitions, unexpected noises, unwanted visitors. Even a voice at times. Some of us grew up in houses with ghosts. In Plymouth, we learn to live with them – because ghosts – whether real or imagined – appear to be all around us.
Vicki Noel Harrington, who operates Spirit of Plymouth Walking Tours, has spent decades leading visitors through Plymouth’s haunted past. And according to Harrington, there are plenty of spirits to encounter in our town.
At the former House of Blue Blinds on North Street, Harrington says, some say the spirit of Miriam Goodrich still lingers. Centuries ago, she says, Goodrich operated a tearoom there with her sister who reportedly requested that her ashes, along with those of her beloved cat Blackie, be buried beneath a tree in the side garden.
“People say they’ve felt her presence, a cool breeze, and the smell of lilac perfume,” Harrington said. Blackie, she added, is supposedly still roaming the neighborhood, though “it’s hard to know if it’s a ghost cat or a real cat.”
On North Street, Harrington tells the story of a plumber repairing a toilet in a historic building when he heard someone behind him announce, “It’s broken.” Thinking a coworker was playing a trick, he searched the building but found no one.
“He goes back to fixing the toilet, when a voice behind him says, ‘I told you, it’s broken,'” Harrington recalled. That’s when he ran out.
The Spooner House on North Street has its own reputation. Harrington says she’s watched window blinds move when nobody was inside. “I would knock on the door, and somebody would twitch back one of the blinds and peek out the window up above the side door,” she said. On another occasion, she watched a shade suddenly fly up with a bang. “We all ran down the street, screaming,” she recalled.
On Burial Hill, where Harrington says she does not go after dark, she experiences an overwhelming physical reaction near certain areas such as the towering Cushman monument. “I get sick to my stomach standing there,” she said.
She recounted an incident with a woman on one of her tours who developed mysterious scratches while leaning against the monument’s railing. “I thought maybe it was her tin lantern,” Harrington said. “I’m literally scraping the lantern across my arm, and I can’t replicate it.”
Janice Williams, owner of Dead of Night Ghost Tours, has spent the past 25 years exploring Plymouth’s paranormal history. She agrees that Burial Hill is particularly active, though she does do tours there after dark. She says activity is especially common where two cemetery paths intersect in the oldest section to form a cross.
“If anything’s gonna happen, we say, this is where it’s gonna be,” Williams said. She describes visitors feeling their hair stand on end or hearing inexplicable voices.
“Something might come right up to your ear and try and whisper something, but it’s not a whisper,” she said. “It’s very loud.” Williams recalled a recent visitor who suddenly whipped her head around after hearing something no one else could hear. The woman was visibly shaken for the remainder of the tour.
When asked, both tour operators consider one Plymouth landmark one of the most haunted: the 1749 Courthouse at 4 Town Square. “I do think the courthouse is number one,” Williams said. “I encourage visitors to sit quietly upstairs and pay attention. People have reported unexplained taps on their shoulders, tugs on their hair and mysterious figures appearing in the windows.” At the root of the purported hauntings are the frozen ghosts of the General Arnold shipwreck, 70 men who froze to death, whose bodies were laid out on the floor of the courthouse until they could be buried in a mass grave.
The tours combine historical accounts, local legends and personal experiences, introducing visitors to a side of America’s Hometown that doesn’t always appear in the history books. What a great way to spend Halloween week. Tours continue through November 1 and then resume during Thanksgiving week with special tours for the holiday. For information check out to Spirit of Plymouth Walking Tours or Dead of Night Ghost Tours. And enjoy the scare!
Monday, Oct. 26
For families looking for an early dose of Halloween fun, check out “The Great Pumpkin Pageant” at Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., at 9 a.m. The library’s seasonal celebration offers a festive start to Halloween week, especially for young visitors eager to get into the spirit. It’s a chance to make a morning library visit part of the holiday festivities. For tickets or information go here.
“Sense and Sensibility” continues at Plimoth Cinema, in the Maxwell Theater, 137 Warren Ave. The new adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles as sisters navigating love, family and changing fortunes, with Caitríona Balfe, George MacKay and Fiona Shaw also in the cast. The PG-rated film runs through Oct. 29, and lasts 2 hours, 11 minutes. For tickets, showtimes and information, visit Plimoth Cinema.
“A Talent for Murder” at Plimoth Cinema, 137 Warren Ave., runs through Oct. 29, at 4:30 and 7 p.m. in the Linn Theater. Helen Mirren stars as acclaimed mystery writer Patricia Highsmith in this suspenseful drama about a mysterious young publishing representative (Alden Ehrenreich) who travels from New York to Switzerland to persuade the reclusive author to write one final installment in her celebrated Ripley series. The R-rated film runs 1 hour, 46 minutes. For tickets or information go to: Plimoth Cinema.
“Even More Haunted Lighthouses of New England” — Just in time for Halloween, explore the ghostly side of New England’s maritime history with author and lighthouse historian Jeremy D’Entremont. From mysterious apparitions to spirits said to haunt isolated coastal beacons, D’Entremont returns with a new collection of eerie tales and unexplained sightings. President and historian of the American Lighthouse Foundation and author of more than 20 books, he has appeared on “Ghost Hunters” and the Travel Channel. Presented at 7 – 8 p.m. virtually via Zoom in partnership with the Plymouth Public Library, this free program requires advance registration. All registrants will receive a recording afterward. For information and registration go here.
Tuesday, Oct. 27
For a musical change of pace, the North River Brass Quintet presents “Music Through the Ages” at Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The free concert showcases the range of sounds a brass ensemble can produce, moving through different musical eras. It’s an easy evening outing for listeners who enjoy live instrumental music. For tickets or information go here.
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Ghost stories are especially irresistible at this time of year. At “The Spirits of New England with Dustin Pari,” Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from 7 to 8 p.m., the paranormal investigator known for appearances on “Ghost Hunters” and “Ghost Hunters International” explores haunted places, regional folklore and unexplained tales. Whether you believe in ghosts or simply love a good story, this free talk offers a fitting lead-in to Halloween. For tickets or information go here.
History buffs can step back into Revolutionary-era Plymouth at “Benjamin Warren’s War,” at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave., from 7 to 8 p.m. Historian Peggy M. Baker tells the story of a 35-year-old local storekeeper who joined the Patriot cause, offering a personal perspective on a period often told through larger-than-life figures. The lecture is part of the “Revolutionary Plymouth” series, with in-person and online attendance options. Free tickets are listed. For tickets or information go here.
For old-school Halloween chills, “Spire-Ween: Frankenstein (1931)” screens at the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 1/2 Court St., at 7 p.m. Boris Karloff’s unforgettable portrayal of the monster anchors director James Whale’s atmospheric black-and-white classic. The film remains a touchstone of cinematic horror, making it an appealing choice for longtime fans and first-time viewers alike. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; tickets are listed at $7. For tickets or information go here.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Support young musicians while enjoying a night of familiar favorites at the “Spire Music Academy Fundraiser,” at the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 1/2 Court St., at 6 p.m. The Pinehills-based six-piece band Exit 7 Vinyl Revival will revisit hits from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, drawing on the music of Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, Elton John and James Taylor. Proceeds support the academy’s Tuition Assistance Fund, helping make music education more accessible. Admission is listed at $20, and reservations are preferred. For tickets or information go here.
Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility invites residents to a virtual community forum “Community Listening Session: Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station” at 7 p.m. to share their concerns about the health and radiological impacts of decommissioning the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station. The organization has received a federal grant to coordinate a study examining the potential effects on Plymouth and neighboring communities. Participants will have an opportunity to suggest questions and issues for consideration by an expert panel being convened by GBPSR. The session takes place via Zoom. To RSVP and receive the meeting link, email info@gbpsr.org.
Friday, Oct. 30
Who you gonna call? Get into the Halloween spirit with “Halloween Eve Movie Matinee: Ghostbusters (1984)” – a screening of the supernatural comedy classic “Ghostbusters” from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., Plymouth. Follow a team of eccentric paranormal investigators as they battle ghosts and otherworldly creatures threatening New York City. The free screening takes place in the Fehlow Meeting Room, with popcorn and water provided. The PG-rated film is geared toward teens and adults, although all ages are welcome. Registration is appreciated but not required. For information go here.
For families eager to show off their costumes before Halloween night, “Halloween on Main Street” takes over downtown Plymouth along Main and Court streets from 3 to 5 p.m. Participating shops welcome costumed trick-or-treaters, turning an afternoon downtown into a neighborhood celebration. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the decorated storefronts and visit local businesses while the children collect treats. For tickets or information go here.
Looking for a little insight into what the future might hold? “Tarot Pop-Up with Lucy Cicero” is at Book Love, 7 Village Green South, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Just in time for Halloween, Cicero offers personalized tarot readings, using the symbolism of the cards to explore life’s questions, possibilities and unexpected turns. Whether you’re a believer or simply curious about the mysteries of tarot, it’s a chance to experience an age-old tradition in the welcoming atmosphere of a local bookstore. For information go to: Book Love.
Looking for laughs instead of scares? Boston comedian Lenny Clarke takes the stage at the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 1/2 Court St., at 8 p.m. Known for his quick delivery, larger-than-life stage presence and unmistakable local humor, Clarke brings an evening of stand-up to Plymouth. It’s a lively alternative for anyone who would rather spend Halloween weekend laughing than watching horror movies. For tickets or information go here.
Masks, costumes and dancing are on the agenda at the “Halloween Masquerade Ball,” at Hotel 1620, 180 Water St., from 8 to 11 p.m. Presented by Plymouth Tea Dance, the party features DJ PJ and a performance by drag entertainer Bianka Fury. Guests are encouraged to embrace the masquerade theme for an evening of music and Halloween spectacle. Masks are required; admission was advertised at $25 in advance through Oct. 25, $45 at the door and $75 for VIP tickets. For tickets or information go here.
Saturday, Oct. 31
For little ghosts and goblins, “Halloween Saturday Stories” is at Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Children ages 6 and younger are invited to arrive in costume with their caregivers for seasonal stories and songs with Ms. Natalie. The free program is a gentle way to celebrate Halloween before the evening’s trick-or-treating begins. For tickets or information go here.
A cute creature comes with some very important rules in “Manomet Vintage Movie Matinee: Gremlins,” at the Manomet Branch of Plymouth Public Library, 12 Strand Ave., from 2 to 4 p.m. The 1984 film, directed by Joe Dante, starts with an unusual pet and quickly turns into a mischievous blend of comedy and horror. The PG-rated cult favorite makes a fun afternoon choice for moviegoers who enjoy their Halloween scares with a sense of humor. Admission is free. For information here.
Spend part of Halloween afternoon enjoying live music with “The Dire Wolves in Concert” at Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from 3 to 4 p.m. Jonathan “Doc” Kaplan, singer-songwriter Carol Hausner and Kevin Howard perform together as a trio, bringing their individual musical backgrounds to the program. The free performance offers a relaxed musical interlude amid the day’s Halloween activities. For tickets or information go here.
For an unusual Halloween night out, “Uva’s Annual Halloween Dinner & Medium Reading” is at Uva Wine Bar, 46 Main St., with doors opening at 6 p.m. Spirit medium Sandy Waters joins guests for an evening combining dinner with readings that she describes as messages from departed loved ones. Whether drawn by curiosity or the seasonal atmosphere, attendees can expect a different kind of Halloween gathering. For tickets or information go here.
Costumes and live music take over the waterfront at “Tavern of Terror,” at Tavern on the Wharf, 6 Town Wharf, beginning at 9 p.m. Mini Yellow Witches provide the entertainment, while guests can join the costume contest and enjoy drink specials and giveaways. With prizes for creative costumes, it’s a chance to make an evening of Halloween with friends. For tickets or information go here.
Keep the Halloween celebration going at “Añejo’s Annual Día de los Muertos Halloween Party,” at Añejo Mexican Bistro, 51 Main St., from 10 p.m. to midnight. The Plymouth lounge hosts music, dancing, festive drinks and a costume contest. The late-night gathering combines Halloween party energy with a Day of the Dead-inspired theme. For tickets or information go here.
Sunday, November 1
Wind down from Halloween with an afternoon of chamber music as the Borromeo String Quartet performs in the “Classical Serenades” series at the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 1/2 Court St., at 3 p.m. The internationally acclaimed ensemble is known for expressive performances and fresh interpretations of classical repertoire. For listeners seeking a quieter Sunday outing, the concert offers a different kind of seasonal escape. Doors open at 2 p.m. For tickets or information go here.
Julia Marie Davis can be reached at julia@plymouthindependent.org.