Those tales and others are part of a 90-minute walking tour Meehan is leading this month through the borough's historic districts.
In addition to the Indian King Tavern, stops include the "guard houses" across the street where prisoners of war also were housed. One of them was "Sam," a British prisoner who wrote on a cellar wall: "Curse this house and all who live here."
Also featured is Greenfield Hall, said to be haunted by Karl Emil Kurt von Donop, a Hessian Revolutionary War colonel who stayed overnight there while en route to Fort Mercer, where he died at the Battle of Red Bank.
Then, there's the home on Potter Street that old-time Haddonfield residents once referred to as the "morgue," Meehan said. During the early 1800s, it was the residence and shop of Haddonfield's cabinetmaker, who also served as a coffin-maker and undertaker. During one particularly bad epidemic, coffins were made every day for three months.
Meehan became a haunted-tour operator after running out of theme ideas for his annual Halloween party. Two years ago, his wife, Kathy, had a suggestion: Put their guests on a rented school bus and show them the sights of Haddonfield.
The haunted sights, that is.
"Ghost tours are very popular in other parts of the country, but until then no one to our knowledge had ever done it in Haddonfield," said Meehan, who has lived in the borough for 14 years.
What Meehan expected to be a one-day event turned into a week of public tours at Halloween last year, with walks this year being offered through next Sunday.
The party bus tour also spurred Meehan's interest in Haddonfield's supernatural past, and so with daughter Lily, 10, Meehan sought out old diaries, journals, newspapers and other documents.
"Haddonfield has had quite a ghostly past, but no one to my knowledge had ever collected these stories," Meehan said.
Settled in 1682, Haddonfield is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and few other places, Meehan said, have as many ghost stories.
"Its first settlers were from England, well-known for its accounts of haunted castles, moors and churchyards," Meehan said. "Haddonfield's earliest settlers were Quakers, and though deeply religious and practical, they soon were telling stories rivaling any of the tales told in their native Britain."
Many 19th-century Haddonfield residents believed their homes were infested with a ghost or goblin of some kind and nailed a horseshoe over the door as a remedy against the intrusion of those unseen spooks.
For those who would like to learn more about Haddonfield's ghostly past, Meehan has written a book, Haunted Haddonfield, with proceeds to benefit the Haddonfield Historical Society, where he did much of his research.
In Haunted Haddonfield are 42 stories from pre-Revolutionary times to the present, many of which Meehan recounts on his walking tour.
"These are old-fashioned ghost stories, and if you expect to hear tales of blood, guts and fangs, you'll be disappointed," Meehan said. "It is intriguing that a few Haddonfield ghost stories have been told continually, with little variation, for well over 200 years."
Nearly all of these tales are rooted in real people, places and events, Meehan said.
"I've always enjoyed ghost stories as folklore," he said, but added: "Personally, I haven't encountered any ghosts."
Contact Louise Harbach at 856-779-3861 or lharbach@phillynews.com.
If You Go
What: Haunted Haddonfield tours
When: 2 and 4 p.m. today, next Sunday; 7 p.m. Friday; 2, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Tours begin and end at Haddonfield Public Library, 60 Haddon Ave.
Tickets: $8, $4 for children younger than 12. Available at library; Haddonfield Historical Society, 343 Kings Highway; or Haddonfield Visitor and Information Center, 114 Kings Highway
Book: "Haunted Haddonfield," $10.95 at historical society
Information: 856-429-7375
Indicates wheelchair-accessible.
Special Events
*FREE* Canoe & Kayak Expo Seminars, boat display. Red Dragon Canoe Club, 221 Edgewater Ave, Edgewater Park; 609-387-9847. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today.
*FREE* Language of Threads Embroidery festival by Colonial West Jersey Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America. Peachfield Plantation, Burrs Rd, Westampton; 856-824-9744. Noon-4 p.m. today.
Benefit Auction Appliances, housewares, dinner certificates, more; benefits GFWC Woman's Club projects. Harry Williams Bldg, Broadway & Black Horse Pk, Runnemede; 856-931-7452. $5. Doors 6:30 p.m., auction 8 p.m. Wed.
South Jersey Fall RV Show More than 125 recreational vehicle models. South Jersey Expo Center, Rte 73 & Haddonfield Rd, Pennsauken; 800-332-3976. www.macevents.com. $6; $4 seniors & ages 12-17; free ages under 12. 1-9 p.m. Fri, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 10/27.
Haunted Hayride Bellmawr Ecological Center, Creek Rd, Bellmawr; 856-931-1111. $5. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Fri10/25-10/30
Benefit Fashion Show Pinelands Auxiliary to Virtua Memorial Hospital luncheon & fashion show features fashions from Marelene's. Tavistock Country Club, Tavistock Lne, Haddonfield; 856-988-9804. $25; reservations required. 11:30 a.m. Fri.
Country Store Bingo Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Sussex & Ridgeway Sts, Gloucester City; 856-547-3379. $2; bring 2 non perishapbe food items. 1:30-4 p.m. Sat.
Harvest Social & Pig Roast Mt Ephraim Lodge 2362 event. Sacred Heart Church Hall, Kings Highway & Black Horse Pk, Mt. Ephraim; 856-854-2597. $20. 7 p.m.-midnight Sat.
Haunted Stage "Dead" actors & decorated sets; presented by school's thespian club. Glassboro High School, 550 Joseph Bowe Blvd, Glassboro; 856-577-6316. $3. 2-8 p.m. Sat.
Pumpkin Carving Contest Haddonfield United Methodist Church, 29 Warwick Rd, Haddonfield; 856-429-0403. 6 p.m. Fri. Pumpkin decorating contest 6 p.m. 11/1.
*FREE* Restoring Your Porch Walking Tour Architect highlights restorations along 7th & 8th Aves. Meet: Haddon Heights Methodist Church, 7th Ave & Garden St, Haddon Heights; 856-547-3950. 2 p.m. Sat.
Craft Shows & Sales
Cheesecake Sale Benefits parish's Religious Education Program. St Edward Parish, 400 Erial Rd, Pine Hill; 856-783-0293. $14.
Benefit Art Show Show & sale of paintings, photos, jewelry, pottery, more; benefits Arthritis Foundation, NJ Chapter. Commerce Bank Atrium Branch, 1701 Rte 70 E, Cherry Hill; 856-616-8000. $10. Noon-5 p.m. today.
Charity Sale Benefits children with HIV/AIDS. First Presbyterian Church, 20 Kings Hwy E, Haddonfield; 856-428-2273. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat.
Yard Sale Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 48. Holy Communion Lutheran Church, 442 S Rte 73, Berlin; 856-772-5639. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat.
Yard Sale Stratford United Methodist Church, Union & Central Aves, Stratford; 856-784-9135. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. Rain or shine.
Christmas Festival Crafters wanted. St Stephen's, 6300 Browning Rd, Pennsauken; 856-665-7050. $35 & $60. Sale: 5-9 p.m. 11/15, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 11/16.
Hanukkah Bazaar Crafters & vendors sought. Temple Emanuel Synagogue, 1101 Springdale Rd, Cherry Hill; 856-384-2764. $50. Show: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 11/17.
Stover-Tatem Auxiliary of the Virtua Health System Crafters sought. Barry D Brown Health Education Center, 106 Carnie Blvd, Voorhees; 856-627-5010. $45. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 11/2
Art Exhibits
Art Studio Tour Camden County Cultural & Heritage Commission open studio tour. Starts at Hopkins House Gallery, 250 S Park Dr, Haddon Twp; 856-858-0040. $15. Noon-4 p.m. today.
Camden County Camden Co College, Lincoln Hall, College Dr, Blackwood; 856-227-7200 ext 4201. Phil Rychert, mixed-media sculptures. Closes Sat.
Center for the Arts in Southern New Jersey The Jaggard House, 123 S Elmwood Rd, Marlton; 856-985-1009. Juried group show. Closes 10/31. Third Sunday: focus on local artists. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. today.
*FREE* Medford Leas Art Gallery 1 Medford Leas Way, Medford; 609-654-3000. www.medfordleas.org. South Jersey Camera Club group show. Closes 10/31.
Perkins Center for the Arts 395 Kings Hwy, Moorestown; 856-235-6488. www.perkinscenter.org. Group show, mixed media. Closes 11/17.
Stedman Rutgers University, Fine Arts Center, 3d St between Pearl & Cooper Sts, Camden; 856-225-6350. Interactive show on how autos have changed life. Closes 10/26.
Voorhees Regional Branch Library 203 Laurel Rd, Voorhees; 856-772-1636. Linda Wisely, paintings. Reception 7 p.m. Fri. Closes 11/30.
Westby Art Rowan University, Westby Hall, Rte 322 (off Rte 55), Glassboro; 856-256-4520. Cameron McMillan, paintings. Closes Fri.
Theater & Dance
Professional & Community Theater
Gran Folklorico de Mexico Dance company from Mexico City. Washington Twp Center for the Performing Arts, 519 Hurffville-Crosskeys Rd, Sewell; 800-923-2293. www.sjlivearts.com. $7. 9:45 & 11:45 a.m. Thu.
*NEW* Guys & Dolls Musical. Haddonfield Plays & Players Performing Arts Center, 957 S Atlantic Ave, Haddonfield; 856-429-8139. www.haddonfieldplayers.com. $15 & $17. Fris-Suns. Preview Thu. Opens Fri. Closes 11/16.
Jesus Christ Superstar Musical; Pineland Players presents. Shawnee High School, Medford Lakes Rd, Medford; 609-953-4366. $10; $8 seniors. Fris-Suns. Closes 10/27.
Mame Musical comedy. Ritz Theatre, 915 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn; 856-858-5230. www.puttinontheritz.org. $15-$19.50. Fris-Suns (added shows 10/30, 11/13). Closes 11/16.
*NEW* One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Drama; Bridge Players Theatre Company. Burlington City High School, High St, Burlington City; 856-303-7620. www.bridgeplayerstheatre.com. $10. Fris-Sats. Opens Fri. Closes 11/9.
Six Degrees of Separation Drama/comedy. Triple Threat Performing Arts Center, 1931 Olney Ave, Cherry Hill; 856-424-8836. www.triplethreat.net. $13 & $15. Fris-Suns. Closes 11/2.
College & High School Theater
*NEW* *FREE* Screamplays: Three Tales of Horror & the Supernatural Rutgers-Camden Underground Theater; not for ages under 13. Black Box Theater, Rutgers-Camden, 3d & Cooper Sts, Camden; 856-225-6176. Thu-Sat & 10/31 only.
*NEW* The Servant of Two Masters Comedy. Rowan University, Bunce Hall, Tohill Theatre, Rte 322 & Bowe Blvd, Glassboro; 856-256-4545. $7 & $3. Thus-Suns (no performances 10/27). Opens Fri. Closes 11/3.
*NEW* The Miracle Worker Story of Helen Keller; Peddie Theater Deptproduction. Mount-Burke Theatre, The Peddie School, S Main St, Hightstown; 609-490-7550. $8. Fri-Sat only.
*NEW* Three One Act Plays Works by Edward Finnegan, Christopher Durang, & Stephen Gregg. Moorestown High School, 350 Bridgeboro Rd, Moorestown; 856-778-6610. $7; $5 seniors & students. Thu-Sat only.
Auditions
Sketch Club Players 433 Glover St, Woodbury; 856-848-8089. www.geocities.com/sketchclub. Members sought for amateur theater company. Auditions: Santa & the Wicked Wazoo. 8 p.m. Mon-Tue. Forever Plaid! 11/15-17 & 11/21-23.
Sweet Adelines International Auditions for female singers. Westfield Friends School, Rte 130 & Riverton Rd, Cinnaminson; 856-829-8018. www.jerseysound.org. 7:30 p.m. Weds.
Triple Threat Theater Triple Threat Performing Arts Center, 1939 Olney Ave, Cherry Hill; 856-424-8836. www.triplethreat.net. Auditions: Romeo & Juliet (opens 1/17); teens 14 & over encouraged. Noon today. Woody Allen's Don't Drink the Water (opens 3/14). 7 p.m. 1/19, 7:30 p.m. 1/21.
Nature
*FREE* Berlin Park White Horse Pike & Park Dr, Berlin; 856-767-7275.. 151-acres with 5 miles of nature trails, bike path, playground, fishing. Dawn to dusk daily. Environmental Studies Center, Park Dr & Broad Ave; 856-768-1598. Reference library on natural history & environmental issues. Mons-Fris by appt.
*FREE* Hopkins Pond Grove St & Hopkins Lane, Haddonfield; 856-767-7275. Designated bird sanctuary with self-guided interpretive looped tree trail. Dawn to dusk daily.
*FREE* Maria Barnaby Greenwald Memorial Park Entrances: Park Blvd at Grove St & at Kings Hwy, Cherry Hill; 856-767-7275. Guided Fall Watchable Wildlife Walk. 10 a.m.-noon Sat; register: 856-767-7275. 47-acre linear park with wildlife trail. Dawn to dusk.
NJ Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife 856-629-7214. www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw. Adult Workshops on tying fishing line, tracking animals, kayaking, navigation.
Outdoor Club of South Jersey 856-697-3870. Social Kayak Trip; bring picnic food. Meet: Bel-Haven canoe rentals, Rte 542, Green Bank, 8 miles east of Hammonton. 9:30 a.m. Sat. 7 mile social hike in Bull's Island. Sat. Call for meeting time & place. 7 mile hike, moderate pace with hills, at Hawk Mountain Bird Sanctuary. Call for meeting place. 9:30 a.m. 10/27.
*FREE* Rancocas Nature Center 794 Rancocas Rd, Mt Holly; 609-261-2495. www.njaudubon.org/Centers/Rancocas. 120-acre tract adjacent to Rancocas State Park with 19th-Century farmhouse, museum & gift shop & self-guided tours. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues-Suns.
Wharton State Forest 609-561-0024. www.state.nj.us/dep/forestry. 110,017 acres. Facilities: Visitors center, exhibit gallery, museum shop, interpretive center, Batsto Village, Carranza Memorial, swimming, bathhouse, canoeing, boating, fishing, hunting, picnic tables, playgrounds, cross-country skiing, trails. Seasonal & year round camping.
Whitesbog Preservation Trust 120-13 Whitesbog Rd (Rte 530), Pembertown Twp; 609-893-4646. http://whitesbog.org. Events: Cranberry Harvest tours. 11 a.m. today, Sat & 10/27. Whitesbog Dogwalk 2002; walk your dog in Lebanon State Forest. $5 per walker. Registration 1 p.m.; walk 1:30 p.m. today. Sunset hayride & campfire stories. $10. Hayride: 6-7:30 p.m.; campfire 7:30 p.m. Sat. Volunteers sought for Volunteer Work Day. Pre-registration required. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 11/2. Dawn to dusk daily.
*FREE* Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge 4 Sawmill Rd off Hopewell Rd, Medford; 856-983-0326. www.cedarrun.org. Wildlife Weekends: different crafts, educational programs. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sats, 1-4 p.m. Suns through 12/8. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sats-Suns, 1-4 p.m. Suns.
For Kids & Teens
Camden Children's Garden 3 Riverside Dr, Camden; 856-365-8733. www.camdenchildrensgarden.org. Permanent: Butterfly house, Edgar Allan Poe-tato, dinosaur, storybook, carousel & railroad gardens, maze, treehouse. $5; $3 ages under 11, ages under 3 free. Joint admission with NJ State Aquarium: $13.95; $10.95 ages 3-11, $11.45 seniors, students. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily.
Garden State Discovery Museum 2040 Springdale Rd, Cherry Hill; 856-424-1233. Halloween Night; benefits Ronald McDonald House of Southern NJ. $5 kids; $3 parents; registration required. 6:30 p.m. 10/27. Museum Spooktacular. Come in costume or get decorated here. 5-8 p.m. Sat. Found-object artist Eric Schultz on making sculpture from recycled objects. 1-4 p.m. Sat-Sun. Mixed media art exhibit by children with disabilities. Closes 10/31. Permanent interactive set pieces: television studio, fishing boat, dinosaur bone dig site. $7.95; $6.95 seniors; free under age 1. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues-Fris & Suns, 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sats.
*NEW* Hansel & Gretel Ritz Theatre, 915 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn; 856-858-5230. www.puttinontheritz.org. $6. Thu-Sat. Opens Thu. Closes 10/26.
I Won't Take a Bath Camden County College Community Theatre production for kids. Dennis Flyer Memorial Theatre, Camden County Community College, College Dr, Blackwood; 856-227-7200, ext 4737. $3. 10 a.m. & noon Fri, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. Sat, 3 p.m. 10/27.
Area Library Programs
All events free unless otherwise indicated.
Bellmawr Library 35 E Browning Rd, Bellmawr; 856-931-1400. http://bellmawr.camden.lib.nj.us. Programs: Fall crafts; grades K-4. 3:45 p.m. Tues (except 11/5) through 11/19. Fall storytime; ages 3-5. 10 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Thus through 11/21. Halloween party. 7 p.m. Thu. Scary stories; grades K-4. 3:45 p.m. 10/30.
Gloucester Township Library 15 S Black Horse Pike, Blackwood; 856-228-0022. Weekly programs: Chess club; ages 9 & up. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Weds. Book club; ages 8-12. 4:30 p.m. 2d Thu of month. Fall storytime; ages 3-5. 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Mons, 11 a.m. Thus. Through 11/4. Events: Halloween craft workshop; grades 1 & up. 3-4:30 p.m. Mon. Halloween party; all ages. 7 p.m. Mon. Halloween Storytime; ages 3-5. 7:30-8:30 p.m. Wed. Scary movie night; ages 12 & up. 6:30 p.m. Thu.
Haddon Township Library 15 MacArthur Blvd, Westmont; 856-854-2752. Events: Drawing class; ages 6-12. 4-5 p.m. Wed; registration required. Halloween at the library; all ages. 7 p.m. 10/28. Halloween haunting; ages 3-6. 7 p.m. 10/30.
Merchantville Reading Center 130 Centre St, Merchantville; 856-665-3128. Halloween party. 3:30 p.m. Fri.
South County Regional Branch Library 35 Coopers Folly Rd, Atco; 856-753-2537. http://southco.camden.lib.nj.us. Programs: Toddler Tunes & Tales; ages 18-36 months with adult. 10:30 a.m. Weds. Through 10/30. Stories & finger puppets; ages 3-5. 11:30 a.m. Weds. Through 10/30. Events: Halloween crafts; ages 5-9. 4 p.m. Tue. Halloween party. 4 p.m. 10/29.
Pennsauken Free Public Library 5606 Crescent Blvd, Pennsauken; 856-665-5959. Infant storytime; ages 6-24 months. 10:30 a.m. 1st & 3d Mons of month. Weekly programs: Story Hour. 10:30 a.m. Weds ages 2-3; 10:30 a.m. Thus ages 4-5. Through 12/12. Pre-registration required for all programs.
Voorhees Regional Library 203 Laurel Rd, Voorhees; 856-772-1636. Weekly programs: Saturday Surprise: various programs; all ages 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sats. Through 12/14. Storytime; ages 3-5. 1:30 p.m. Tues, 10:30 a.m. Weds. Through 12/11. Toddler/baby nursery rhymes. 9:30 a.m. 2d & 4th Thu of month. Through 12/19. International crafts; grades K-3. 7 p.m. 2d & 4th Fri of month. Through 12/6. Events: Swedish weaving crafts; grades 3 & up. 5 p.m. Mon. Halloween party. 6:30 p.m. Tue. Stories about trains; ages 2-6. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sat. Halloween storytime; ages 3-6. 6:30 p.m. 10/30.
For Singles
Adult Singles Fellowship Chews United Methodist Church, 319 Black Horse Pk, Glendora; 856-227-4362. 8 p.m. 2d Fri of month.
Mini-golf for Jewish Singles Golfland, Voorhees; 856-424-4444 ext 260. www.katzjcc.org. Reservations required by Thu. Event: 3 p.m. 10/27.
Parents Without Partners Cherry Hill Chapter. Orientation for new members. Degenhardt's, 602 N Black Horse Pk, Mt. Ephraim; 856-435-3537. $35 membership. 7 p.m. 1st, 2d & 4th Suns of month.
Single Film Lovers Discussion & dessert follows. Ritz Theater, Haddonfield-Berlin Rd, Voorhees; 856-795-6836. 2d & 4th Weds of month; call for movie selection & time.
South Jersey Single Parents Society 856-866-0766. Weekly: Social & dance. Stardust Ballroom, Pennsauken Mart, Rtes 73 & 130, Pennsauken. $10. 7:30-11:30 p.m. Suns. Pinochle. VFW, 914 E Main St, Maple Shade. $3.50. 7 p.m. Tues. Open dances; non-members welcome. Stardust Ballroom. $10. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 2d & 4th Suns of month.
South Jersey Single Professionals Group for single men & women ages 21-45. Seeking members. Tennis. Meet: Eastern High School, Haddonfield-Berlin Rd, Voorhees; 856-783-1879. 10 a.m. Suns. New Hope Ghost Walk. Meet: Main & Ferry Sts; 267-808-5802. $9. 7 p.m. Fri. Billiards. Meet: Breakers Billiard Club, Playdrome Bowling Alley, King's Highway,Cherry Hill; 609-835-0669. $4.50 per hour. 8 p.m. 11/2.
Tri-State Singles Dance Party for ages 40 & over. Degenhardts Lounge, 602 Black Horse Pk, Mt. Ephraim; 856-719-0057. $7 (includes buffet). 9 p.m-1:30 a.m. Sats.
Turbo Dating for Jewish Singles Meet 7 people for 7 minutes each; ages 30's & 40's. Katz JCC, 1301 Springdale Rd, Cherry Hill; 856-424-4444 ext 297. www.katzjcc.org. $20. 7:15-8:45 p.m. Tue.
