' Phantom of theVillage'
Ghost Walk explores spooky spirits of Williamsville
by JILL SCHMELZER, Reporter
Williamsville is one of the oldest villages in Erie County, with historic roots dating to the War of 1812. WAlong the old Route 5, now Main Street, monuments still stand from two centuries ago and are not devoid of ghost stories.

Mason Winfield paranormal expert

The Williamsville Water Mill, the waterfall at Glen Park, The Eagle House, Butterwood Desserts, the Old Meeting House and even the Bee Group Newspapers are said to get frequent visits from the spirits of the 1800s.

Mason Winfield of East Aurora is a professional "ghost hunter," specializing in the paranormal. For the past 10 years, Winfield has led ghost walks through historically "haunted" villages and towns.

"It started as a lark," he said, noting that he saw ghost walks given in New Orleans, La.; Savannah, Ga.; Charleston, S.C.; and London, England. It was a matter of pride to bring one to East Aurora, followed by several in the Western New York area.

"When I saw the reaction of the public to my tours and realized that this sort of research was something I knew how to do, I got curious about seeing where it could go," Winfield said.

Michelle Caruana holds a candle in the night outside the Eagle House. You never know what type of spirits you'll encounter on the Ghost Walk through Williamsville. Photo by John Rusac

The paranormal expert will bring the tour to Williamsville this year because the village has a lot of pride in its community.

"It's an ideal place for a walk celebrating the alternate side of its legacy, and I'm happy to be bringing it here," said the man who studied poetry and fiction at the University at Buffalo.

Those brave enough to explore the unknown will experience more than just ghost stories while on the Ghost Walk.

"We're always going for the big picture, and trying to figure out the connection between the ghost stories and a region's unique legacy," said the former teacher.

Some areas see more paranormal activity than others, but a ghost walk could be done on almost any piece of street, Winfield said.

Tours will be led by Winfield and several members of Haunted History Ghost Walks, including Snyder resident Julie Panepento.

A script has been prepared for the tour guides, but many of them have a natural talent to survive the obstacles they may face in an e vening.

Although it is unlikely participants will actually see spirits while on the walk, the buildings and their history will be featured.

"I am not promising anyone a psychic experience," Winfield said. "You'd have to be loony even to suggest that people will see ghosts for the price of admission."

He noted that the guides teach about history, architecture, folklore and parapsychology, which is the study of psychic phenomena. Many of their insights come from Native American subjects in Western New York.

The walk costs $10 for adults, $5 for children 7 to 11 and are free for youths 6 and younger.

Other ghost walk sites include two in Allentown, two in Buffalo and others in Batavia, Canadaigua, East Aurora, Lewiston, Lyons, Orchard Park and Saratoga S prings.

Winfield also writes scripts for special events, such as storytelling; vehicle tours; "ghost toasts," which are single events in "haunted" sites; play performances; and a "haunted pub crawl" through East Aurora set to debut Friday, Oct. 20.

The tour in Williamsville will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28 and continue every Thursday through October. The tour begins at the Williamsville Water Mill, 56 E. Spring St., in the village.

For more information, visit www.MasonWinfield. com.

Winfield is also the author of several books on the paranormal including his latest, "Village Ghosts of Western New York Book One: Actors in the Twilight."