I took a trip to Salem MA in the mid to late 80's with my school. We took a field trip to Salem after reading the House of Seven Gables by Nathanial Hawthorne. At the time, I had no interest in the paranormal nor did I expect to experience anything. That was about to change. Although Salem itself could easily be written off by most skeptics as a tourist trap with little legitimate activity; I had an experience in the House of Seven Gables that would remain ingrained in my memory. While walking through the home with about 12 or 15 classmates and a tour guide, we made our way through the home's numerous rooms, each of some historical interest according to the guide. At the time I was growing board with the field trip and was lagging a bit behind my classmates. By the time we made our way to the attic; I was not really paying any attention to what the tour guide was saying, the stories he was explaining, etc. I recall the tour guide was going on and on about the beams in the rafters while I was thinking about lunch. As the group made their way down the stairs of the attic; I found myself last to leave the room. As I descended the steep attic stairs; I glanced over my right shoulder and saw a young boy, likely 5 to 7 years old wearing blue pants, jacket and a white shirt. Period clothing; but I had no idea what decade or century, just "old fashioned." It looked like he had a toy ball near his feet. The detail was astonishing; I can remember this like it was yesterday. This "boy" made eye contact with me and looked lonely. Like he was looking for someone to talk to. The feeling of loneliness that came over me was/is hard to describe. Although this image appeared to me for only a few seconds, it felt like an hour. Again, strange and difficult to describe. Having had no predisposed interest or fascination in ghosts; I shook my head and continued down the stairs to rejoin the rest of my classmates. I chalked the entire incident up to the fact that I must have been tired and hungry and convinced myself that my mind was playing tricks on me. After all; we were in a creepy old house, it would be a likely place for one's mind to imagine strange things.
I quickly forgot about the entire thing and had not thought about it at all for nearly 20 years. Then; while surfing the Internet a few years ago; I stumbled upon a story; and a picture about reports of a young boy being seen in the attic in the mid to late 80s. The memory came rushing back to me and I just about fell off my chair. This article and the memory it brought back kicked my interest in the mystery of ghosts into high gear. I realize how unrealistic the above story sounds, and I would like to point out that I have never seen anything like it sense. I consider myself a rational minded person and am not one to jump to unjustified conclusions about anything. This however, stands out as a strange experience I can't chalk up to any viable alternatives. Who knows? Anyway; I've attached six pictures that may or may not be interesting. Three are from our field trip to Hillside Cemetery in Cheshire. Each has what seems to be an orb in photo. I realize that often "orbs" are actually just the reflection of dust or moisture in the air; however, some of those included here seem to be emitting their own light. One of my friends at the office even mentioned that she could see a face, and the number "20" inside one of the orbs. Perhaps, but I didn't see it with the clarity she claimed to. Either way; I thought they were interesting. The other three photos were taken in Salem MA in both 2006 and 2008. After my experiences mentioned above, my girlfriend and I have made two trips back to Salem. Two of the more interesting photos and sites is the Joshua Ward House. It is considered to be one of the most haunted buildings in the United States. It has a rich history; most of which is accessible via a quick Google search on the home. Again, more orbs; but what I found interesting is the fact that I snapped photos of the front of the building from nearly the same spot on the sidewalk during two separate years. Weather was clear, cool and calm on both occasions. Each produced similar results. Other photos taken of neighboring buildings on the same nights produced nothing. (test vs control)
The sixth photo was taken in front of another old home in Salem. Multiple orbs, most likely dust reflecting off the lens, but I thought I would share for your opinion.
Salem kind of reminds me of the Lizzie Borden house. People write it off because they thrive on tourism, but due to their rich and dramatic history, maybe there really is something there... gift shop or not.-
Ned Daley