News from New York State Office of General Services

For more information contact: Brad Maione, 518-474-5987

OGS To Mark Halloween Season With Capitol Haunting Tours

ALBANY, NY (10/07/2008; 0959)(readMedia)-- New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner John C. Egan today announced that OGS will once again offer special tours of the New York State Capitol that will explore the legends, folklore and "ghost stories" connected to the historic building in downtown Albany. The "Capitol Hauntings Tours" are free and open to the public. However, reservations are required and each tour is limited to 30 participants.

Daily tours will begin on Wednesday, October 8. They will be offered at 2 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, until October 31. There will be evening tours offered from October 23-25 and 27-31 at 7 p.m. On Saturday, October 25, tours will be offered at 2 p.m., 3:45 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Join the "ghost hunting" Capitol Tour Guides as they take you through the "hot spots" of the Capitol. Brave visitors will make their way to the exact spot where Samuel Abbott, the Capitol's night watchman died in the Capitol fire of 1911. Then they will explore the legend of the "Secret Demon" near the Great Western Staircase. Find out which two Presidents of the United States are said to have visited the State Capitol after they died.

Learn about the state Assembly Chamber's secret, hidden murals and the tormented artist who created them. This hour-long tour will have many spooky stops and offer lots of fascinating information.

For reservations, please contact the Curatorial/Tour Services Office at 473-7582. Tours begin at the Plaza Information Office, North Concourse of the Empire State Plaza. For more information about this and other tours, please visit www.ogs.state.ny.us and click on "Capitol Hauntings Tour."

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