Woodbury Connecticut

Curtis House Inn

Some spirits were robbed of life, some have a terrific work ethic,
and others need to help and supervise.

Spectral opinions about the inn’s new addition are mixed.

DESCRIPTION/HISTORY

The Curtis Inn’s motto is “Every Modern Comfort, Every Ancient Charm.”

curtis-paranormal

Unlike other historic buildings, the purpose of the Curtis House Inn has never changed. It has always been an inn/public house. Since 1754, it has never been allowed to become an expensive fixer-upper opportunity, as it has been passed down through families with strong ties to the community, who have been truly motivated to run a successful business.

The original two story building was constructed in 1734, by Rev Anthony Stoddard, originally as a family home. At some point, his grandson, little Anthony Stoddard, opened The Orenaug Inn. Guests stayed in rooms on the first floor, while the second floor was their version of an event center, called the ballroom. In 1754, the grandson changed the name to The Curtis House Inn. During the next 200 years, four unrelated Curtis families lived at one time or another in this house.

Through the years, renovations and additions were made to the original two floor structure. Sometime in the 1800s, the ballroom space on the second floor was renovated into more guest rooms, due to popular demand. In 1900, the possibility of new clientele, from the soon-to-be available trolly service, inspired Levi Curtis to invest a whopping 400 dollars to raise The Curtis House Inn’s roof, and create eight new rooms on a third floor.

It is not surprising, then that it was Levi Curtis who coined The Curtis House Inn’s motto: “Every Modern Comfort, Every Ancient Charm.” He set the example of keeping The Curtis House Inn’s historic charm, while adding modern amenities, depending on what the guest’s budget was for a room, attracting a wider percentage of the market.

In 2012, The Curtis House Inn has 14 rooms on the second and third floor of the main house, and four more in the old carriage house. Eight rooms in the main house come with a private bath, cable TV, air conditioning and a phone, with antiques and canopy beds. In the six other rooms, priced for guests on a budget, canopy beds, antiques, and cable TV are offered, but share a common bath, and have no phone or air conditioning. The Carriage House rooms are moderately priced, and meet the needs of larger groups for weddings, reunions, and family events.

The dining/event areas, common rooms and kitchen, etc. are all on the first floor. An inviting, warm Pub Room, the Cafe City Hall, is in the Inn’s lower level, originally built in 1954.

In 1954, Mr. Sterling Dunn wanted to retire, so he sold this historic property to the Stella Hardisty, and her son, Chester. Members of the Hardisty and Brennan families have been owners of this historic inn ever since.

HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS

People who die unexpectedly from accident, illness or in war, sometimes choose to protect their property and those who live in it, not letting death get in the way.

The brother-in-law of the 2005 owner was killed in Iraq, while serving in the Army.

People who die before getting to fully enjoy their earthly winnings or possessions, sometimes either ignore the fact that they are dead, or sulk, regretting their death.

Curtis House Inn owner Lucius Foot (1852-1857) died under suspicious circumstances, after winning a handsome sum at a large stakes poker game at the Inn. After winning the game, for unknown reasons, Lucius left and took a short cut through the church cemetery with his winnings. He was later found, dead and frozen in the church’s work barn, minus his jackpot.

Sometimes people cannot let go of their prized possessions, and their spirits attach to them, when they pass out of this world, into the next one.

Through a Stoddard relative, The Curtis House Inn received a painting of Anthony Stoddard, which became the catalyst for paranormal activity when it was hung in the foyer.

Sometimes people become over-invested emotionally in their property, and don’t want to leave when they pass on to the other side.

Several past owners, who loved The Curtis House Inn, have made their presences known to the living. They have been known to “help” and supervise the present staff, or express their opinion on changes in the building.

People who have loved their jobs, and have been loyal employees, sometimes like to spend their afterlives in the same place.

A female entity is very busy still serving guests in Room 16.

A male entity is still engaged in his favorite activities.

MANIFESTATIONS

All of the entities who make their homes here loved The Curtis House Inn while they were alive.

The Attic

Investigators have had their hair tugged.

The unseen presence of a former slave has been sensed. Orbs have been caught on film. A clear EVP has been recorded.

People who stay in Room 5 have heard voices and someone walking.

A young female entity, known as Sally

Hangs out on the second floor, and especially likes Room 16:

Female guests have had the covers moved or pulled off them. One guest was shoved out of bed.

Male guests sometimes receive special attention from a female entity who tucks them into bed, fusses with their covers, and even crawls into bed with them on occasion.

A strong female entity in the dining room

Described as being matronly.

When a young female employee began to feel overwhelmed by a catered event, on one occasion she felt the calming, reassuring presence of a female entity who likes to supervise such events, offering emotional support to the frazzled living.

After a big dinner, a psychic medium who was a guest told the owner that the matronly female spirit presence was very pleased with how the dinner had gone in the dining room.

A male entity dressed in 17th -18th century attire

It is thought that this entity is a former owner, who was very upset when the pub was constructed, and did his best to annoy and bother the workmen. It was felt that he didn’t want any new changes to the building.

Room 1 – Perhaps Room 1 has two spirits in it!

The Entity of Lucius Foot – While alive, Lucius perhaps used Room 1 as his innkeeper’s quarters.

The entity of an elegant Confederate gentleman, mentioned above – also apparently stayed in this room.

After guests settle down for the night in the room, a male apparition, thought to be Lucius, has been known to stomp in, take off his boots, and proclaim, “I’ve had a rough ride.”

Some sources attribute the loud boot thumping, and disembodied voice to the elegant confederate gentleman entity.

An unseen presence has been felt as a strong unseen force. A guest once felt bowled over by its presence.

On one occasion, a psychic was laying in bed in Room 1, when a male entity, whom the psychic said was Lucius, entered the room, dropped his boots, and then crawled in bed with her. She moved over for him, being understanding.

The Entity of Anthony Stoddard

Was either already supervising at The Curtis House Inn, and jumped into the picture when it was hung in the foyer, or his spirit came with the portrait, which was given to the inn by a descendant.

The painting seemed to be watching and supervising the employees, and perhaps was not too happy with what he saw, because he had high standards. Perhaps he came across a bit too strong in his efforts to help the owners.

Employees felt very uncomfortable, feeling his unseen but strong presence radiating from the eyes of the painting.

After many complaints, the owner moved it to the dining room, giving the painting one whole wall to itself. Employees no longer felt over-supervised, and paranormal activity thought to come from it has lessened. Everyone seemed happier!

The Entity of Joe, a former employee of The Hardisty family

Died in 1985. He was the dishwasher and helped with the chores.

Joe’s apparition has been seen eating his usual plate of potatoes by staff members in the basement, just like he did while he was alive.

The description given by the wide-eyed employees matched the picture of Joe.

A Male Entity

Described as being an elegant Confederate gentleman.

His apparition has been seen in the Pub Room. He became active after the pub was opened.

His spirit is thought to stay in the liquor closet to enjoy some privacy.

A Male Entity – brother-in-law of the Owner

His unseen, protective presence has been felt in The Curtis House Inn and has been seen in the dreams of grieving family members, trying to comfort them. His picture, with his silver star, hangs in a prominent place.

Room 23

Guests have felt an unseen presence standing watch over them.

STILL HAUNTED?

Most Probably So! Though a bit camera shy, these entities continue to enjoy their favorite earthly dwelling, The Curtis House Inn, developing relationships with those who seek them on the staff and with the owners as well. The owner as of December 2011, TJ Hardisty-Brennan, and the staff, have shared their ghost stories with the online source, DanburyPatch.

Many guests, paranormal investigators, staff members and owners have had personal experiences, and hard evidence has been captured as well. While having more hard evidence would be nice to have to back up the many personal experiences, the owners are very careful who they allow into their inn for investigations, because they don’t want to upset the resident spirits.

Famed psychic medium Lorraine Warren has stayed at The Curtis House Inn many times and has said that it has spirits. She points to the attic and the second floor as very active places.

Donna Kent and her Cosmic Society Investigation Team have investigated The Curtis House Inn. They had both personal experiences and caught hard evidence on camera and EVP recorders. She describes some of this in her book, Ghost Stories and Legends of Southwestern Ct.

Paranormal Research Groups have had personal experiences when cameras weren’t there to record them, or after the batteries in the camera were drained. An investigator was spending the night in room 23, and she awoke after about an hour to feel the covers being pulled down, and then felt an unseen presence join her in bed!

LOCATION

506 Main Street South
Woodbury, Connecticut 06798

The Curtis House Inn can be found on Main Street South (Route 6), between Orenaug Avenue turnoff and South Poperaug Avenue turnoff. It is 40 miles from Hartford, 25 miles from New Haven, 30 miles from Bridgeport, 22 miles from Danbury, 10 miles from Waterbury, and approximately 80 miles from NYC.

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