News from New York State Office of General Services

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

OGS To Mark Halloween Season

With Special “Capitol Hauntings” Tours

ALBANY, NY (09/18/2007; 1136)(readMedia)-- New York State Office Of General Services Commissioner John C. Egan today announced that OGS will offer special tours of the New York State Capitol that 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. Reservations, however are required, as each tour is limited to 30 participants.

Daily tours are to be offered Monday through Friday, October 9-November 2, at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. There will be evening tours offered from October 24-31 at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Weekends tours will be offered on October 20, 21 and 28 at 3:30 p.m. On October 27 there will be two tours offered, at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. as part of the OGS Halloween Festival. School groups, organizations, and the public are encouraged to sign up for the daily tours.

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 US Presidents visited the 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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