About Linda Zimmermann
Earning a B.S. in Chemistry and a Master’s in English Literature made it obvious early on that
Linda had wide ranging interests. After working as a research scientist throughout the 1980s,
she decided to pursue her real passion—writing.
Today, Linda is the author of 14 books, is a popular speaker, and has made numerous
appearances on television and radio. She has received honors and awards for her books on
American history, and has lectured at the Smithsonian, West Point and Gettysburg. Astronomy
and the space program are also favorite topics for her books, articles and lectures. In addition,
Linda has appeared at major science fiction conventions for her two novels. So, with all these
varied achievements, how on earth did she ever start writing about ghosts?
Several years ago, Linda was giving a series of history lectures for the bicentennial of Rockland
County, in southern New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley. One evening, someone asked about
local ghosts and legends, so Linda told the one ghost story she knew. A few days later, she
received a call. The excited voice on the other end of the line said, "I hear you give ghost talks!"
Linda then added a few more ghost stories to her lectures, word spread, and by the end of the
series, more people were showing up to hear about the ghosts than the history.
"From that point, my research into ghosts took on a life of its own," Linda explains (pun most
definitely intended). "At first I just interviewed people who thought they had seen a ghost, but then
the scientist in me wanted to personally conduct investigations."
Her experience in historical research has also been valuable in trying to find out about the events
and people in a place’s past, which might help to explain current unusual events.
While she plans to continue investigating all things haunted, she also has several history and
science book projects in mind. She also enjoys kayaking, swimming, and painting, whenever
she has the time. But then, it’s all just a matter of time--just ask any ghost…
Visit her website at: www.ghostinvestigator.com
Earning a B.S. in Chemistry and a Master’s in English Literature made it obvious early on that
Linda had wide ranging interests. After working as a research scientist throughout the 1980s,
she decided to pursue her real passion—writing.
Today, Linda is the author of 14 books, is a popular speaker, and has made numerous
appearances on television and radio. She has received honors and awards for her books on
American history, and has lectured at the Smithsonian, West Point and Gettysburg. Astronomy
and the space program are also favorite topics for her books, articles and lectures. In addition,
Linda has appeared at major science fiction conventions for her two novels. So, with all these
varied achievements, how on earth did she ever start writing about ghosts?
Several years ago, Linda was giving a series of history lectures for the bicentennial of Rockland
County, in southern New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley. One evening, someone asked about
local ghosts and legends, so Linda told the one ghost story she knew. A few days later, she
received a call. The excited voice on the other end of the line said, "I hear you give ghost talks!"
Linda then added a few more ghost stories to her lectures, word spread, and by the end of the
series, more people were showing up to hear about the ghosts than the history.
"From that point, my research into ghosts took on a life of its own," Linda explains (pun most
definitely intended). "At first I just interviewed people who thought they had seen a ghost, but then
the scientist in me wanted to personally conduct investigations."
Her experience in historical research has also been valuable in trying to find out about the events
and people in a place’s past, which might help to explain current unusual events.
While she plans to continue investigating all things haunted, she also has several history and
science book projects in mind. She also enjoys kayaking, swimming, and painting, whenever
she has the time. But then, it’s all just a matter of time--just ask any ghost…
Visit her website at: www.ghostinvestigator.com
Linda Zimmermann -- October 11, 2008
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Post Meeting Write-up
We had a special treat for Saturday's Face the Fiction. Not only did we have the creepy location of
the Bergen Museum (Sandy said just being in the vicinity of the place creeps her out - the place
has a certain 'atmosphere'), but our October guest, Linda Zimmermann scared the pants off of
us!
The evening began with Todd and Craig heading off to 'direct traffic' at one entry door, while Jo,
Aubrey and Mike P guarded the other. I went downstairs to borrow Aubrey to help with set-up,
and while standing there, Mike P starts telling us this is the perfect location for a vampire attack
and looked like something from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Great, and here we are trapped like
rats in a cage - thanks Mike for that horrific visual - lol. Aubrey and I had no problem quickly
vacating and leaving Jo and Mike to their fate.
Upstairs things got the finishing touch - we had an abundance of food and drink - we got Todd
and company to head up and let Linda have the floor. Floor us she did!
Linda has an all-new power-point presentation with all new stories, locations and a few truly
startling photos and even had audio clips - beyond disturbing. Linda chose several local 'haunts'
and nearby haunts. Rockland County was prominent in her presentation. In 1908, a facility was
to be built by the State of New York for the "feeble minded", called the Eastern N.Y. State
Custodial Asylum. One year later, it was renamed Letchworth Village Home for the Feeble
Minded and Epileptics after William Pryor Letchworth, a noted humanitarian who advocated the
creation of the institution. The center was built in a college style layout nestled among beautiful
hills, and the buildings are adorned with Greek porticoes and tall arched windows. Closed in
1996, some of the buildings have been re-used, and others remain vacant, or are they? The
photos alone were creepy. Another Rockland location was a private home in Pomona. Linda
was able to get a very frightening photo there - the malevolence of the apparition caught was
palpable. It still freaks her out now, it freaked me out and I wasn't there.
The Castle Tavern in Greenwood Lake not only was part of the Linda's presentation, but Sandy
can see it from her deck! Linda's version of the legend surrounding the location matched
Sandy's, and both declared the location 'not quite right.'
Fort Montgomery, the Shanley (Shanley not Stanley) Hotel, an abandoned resort upstate all gave
us the creeps and shivers. Then there was the Ulster County Jail and its audio clip - eeewwww.
A voice and what sounded like cell doors being closed or maybe opened?! We took a short
intermission, purchased books, snacked, and then Linda took questions.
I wanted to know what it felt like to be in a location and then after leaving see or hear evidence
that you weren't ALONE. Linda confirmed it's unsettling but that she refuses to allow the truly
frightening to get the best of her. This was clearly demonstrated when she felt 'attacked' at the
asylum but returned to let Mr. Not-so-friendly-ghost know she wouldn't be deterred. Mike P, Bill,
Sandy, Paul and several others asked questions that Linda provided great answers to. It was
approaching 11p, Linda and her husband had to head out - she had another presentation
Sunday. Some people headed home, while some of us had to wait for the museum volunteer to
return to lock up. Let me tell you, it is scary being in a dark place - we were the only ones up
there - waiting. And that creepy elevator!! Very good meeting, very good time only enhanced by
the location.
We had a special treat for Saturday's Face the Fiction. Not only did we have the creepy location of
the Bergen Museum (Sandy said just being in the vicinity of the place creeps her out - the place
has a certain 'atmosphere'), but our October guest, Linda Zimmermann scared the pants off of
us!
The evening began with Todd and Craig heading off to 'direct traffic' at one entry door, while Jo,
Aubrey and Mike P guarded the other. I went downstairs to borrow Aubrey to help with set-up,
and while standing there, Mike P starts telling us this is the perfect location for a vampire attack
and looked like something from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Great, and here we are trapped like
rats in a cage - thanks Mike for that horrific visual - lol. Aubrey and I had no problem quickly
vacating and leaving Jo and Mike to their fate.
Upstairs things got the finishing touch - we had an abundance of food and drink - we got Todd
and company to head up and let Linda have the floor. Floor us she did!
Linda has an all-new power-point presentation with all new stories, locations and a few truly
startling photos and even had audio clips - beyond disturbing. Linda chose several local 'haunts'
and nearby haunts. Rockland County was prominent in her presentation. In 1908, a facility was
to be built by the State of New York for the "feeble minded", called the Eastern N.Y. State
Custodial Asylum. One year later, it was renamed Letchworth Village Home for the Feeble
Minded and Epileptics after William Pryor Letchworth, a noted humanitarian who advocated the
creation of the institution. The center was built in a college style layout nestled among beautiful
hills, and the buildings are adorned with Greek porticoes and tall arched windows. Closed in
1996, some of the buildings have been re-used, and others remain vacant, or are they? The
photos alone were creepy. Another Rockland location was a private home in Pomona. Linda
was able to get a very frightening photo there - the malevolence of the apparition caught was
palpable. It still freaks her out now, it freaked me out and I wasn't there.
The Castle Tavern in Greenwood Lake not only was part of the Linda's presentation, but Sandy
can see it from her deck! Linda's version of the legend surrounding the location matched
Sandy's, and both declared the location 'not quite right.'
Fort Montgomery, the Shanley (Shanley not Stanley) Hotel, an abandoned resort upstate all gave
us the creeps and shivers. Then there was the Ulster County Jail and its audio clip - eeewwww.
A voice and what sounded like cell doors being closed or maybe opened?! We took a short
intermission, purchased books, snacked, and then Linda took questions.
I wanted to know what it felt like to be in a location and then after leaving see or hear evidence
that you weren't ALONE. Linda confirmed it's unsettling but that she refuses to allow the truly
frightening to get the best of her. This was clearly demonstrated when she felt 'attacked' at the
asylum but returned to let Mr. Not-so-friendly-ghost know she wouldn't be deterred. Mike P, Bill,
Sandy, Paul and several others asked questions that Linda provided great answers to. It was
approaching 11p, Linda and her husband had to head out - she had another presentation
Sunday. Some people headed home, while some of us had to wait for the museum volunteer to
return to lock up. Let me tell you, it is scary being in a dark place - we were the only ones up
there - waiting. And that creepy elevator!! Very good meeting, very good time only enhanced by
the location.