| Linda Zimmermann October 11, 2008 |
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
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.
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