Jeff Belanger

New England Legends

New England Legends Episode 5 – Eccentrics and Mad Scientists: Hammond Castle, Madame Sherri, The Leatherman
New England Legends, News, Views, & Interviews

Emmy-Nominated New England Legends Television Series Returns to PBS with “Eccentrics and Mad Scientists”

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – October 19, 2016 – New England is full of ghosts, monsters, and other mysteries that are more than just campfire tales. These legends and lore are as much a part of New England History as are the famous ancestors whose names grace our towns and schools today. Just in time for Halloween, WGBY in Springfield, Massachusetts, and Vermont PBS will be broadcasting the series including “Eccentrics and Mad Scientists”—the latest episode of New England Legends. In “Eccentrics and Mad Scientists,” Belanger explores Hammond Castle in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Once the home and laboratory of famed eccentric inventor, John Hays Hammond Jr. who was known as “The Father of Radio Control,” viewers will see where Hammond lived a storybook life inside his castle by the sea. Hammond was known to pull pranks on his guests, he held séances so he could study psychic phenomena, and he built a fascinating home worthy of his reputation. The episode explores the passageways, the unique architecture, and the man who built it. From Gloucester, Belanger travels to Brattleboro, Vermont, to explore the story of Madame Sherri and her nearby Castle Ruins—the allegedly haunted forest where Madame Sherri once threw decadent and lavish parties for her New York friends—but are there still echoes from the past coming from those stone ruins? From the woods of New Hampshire, viewers will head to a Connecticut cave where the Leatherman once took refuge. This vagabond spent decades traveling an endless route between the Hudson and Connecticut Rivers sleeping in caves and barns. But who was he and why did he do it? “It’s the eccentrics who often leave the greatest mark on our landscape and lore,” said Host and Executive Producer Jeff Belanger. “These people pushed boundaries, and we remember them for it. Sometimes their accomplishments are only eclipsed by their unique behavior. In this episode, we wanted to celebrate some of the people who have stood out.” New England Legends is a joint venture between Jeff Belanger and Tony Dunne. The two have been working together since 2009 when Dunne wrote and produced the documentary Things That Go Bump in the Night: Tales of Haunted New England for PBS. Belanger was featured prominently in that first documentary, which went on to national acclaim. “With ‘Eccentrics and Mad Scientists,’ we’re taking this series to a higher level with better story-telling, camera work, and editing,” said Director and Executive Producer Tony Dunne. “We want to show New Englanders some of the history and places they may not hear about in school, but is a part of all of us nonetheless.” Belanger and Dunne are currently working on future episodes of New England Legends and are actively seeking sponsorship to turn the program into a regular feature across more New England PBS affiliates. The New England Legends series has been nominated twice for an Emmy under the “Magazine Program/Special” category. About Jeff Belanger Jeff Belanger (www.jeffbelanger.com) is a New England native, author, adventurer, and one of the most visible and prolific explorers of the unknown out there today. Since 1997, the journalist has interviewed thousands of eyewitnesses to unusual occurrences. He’s the author of more than a dozen books on the paranormal (published in six languages) including the best sellers: The World’s Most Haunted Places, Weird Massachusetts, Our Haunted Lives, and Who’s Haunting the White House? (for children). He’s the founder of Ghostvillage.com, the Web’s most popular paranormal destination according to Google.com, and a noted speaker and media personality. He’s also the host of the cable/Web talk show 30 Odd Minutes, which is available in over 9 million homes in the United States. Belanger has written for newspapers like The Boston Globe and is the series writer and researcher for Ghost Adventures on the Travel Channel. He’s been a guest on hundreds of radio and television programs including: The History Channel, The Travel Channel, Biography Channel, PBS, NECN, Living TV (UK), The Maury Show, The CBS News Early Show, FOX, NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates, National Public Radio, The BBC, Australian Radio Network, and Coast to Coast AM. About Tony Dunne Award-winning television producer Tony Dunne has called New England home his entire life. After studying film and television production at Emerson College and the University of Massachusetts, Dunne has spent the past 15 years working as a producer in news, commercial, independent, and most recently public television at PBS honing his storytelling skills. He has produced magazine programs, nightly newscasts, quiz shows, lifestyle and health programming, as well as the nationally-distributed documentary Things That Go Bump in the Night: Tales of Haunted New England for PBS. About New England Legends New England Legends is a partnership between Tony Dunne and Jeff Belanger. The series premiered in 2013 on PBS affiliate WGBY in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 2014 and 2015 the series earned a nomination for an Emmy under the “Magazine Program/Special” category. “Eccentrics and Mad Scientists” will air on WGBY Thursday, October 27 at 10PM, Saturday, October 29 at 7PM, and Tuesday, November 1 at 7:30PM; and on Vermont PBS, Monday, October 31 at 9:00 PM. For more information, visit: www.ournewenglandlegends.com

The Belsnickel
New England Legends, News, Views, & Interviews

Der Belsnickel

The Belsnickel is an old world Christmastime legend, but unlike Santa, in addition to rewarding the good children, he punishes the bad ones. Once relegated to history, the Belsnickel is making a comeback, and Legend Hunter Jeff Belanger visited him at the historic Smith-Harris House in East Lyme, Connecticut, for a very different kind of “Christmas in Connecticut”!

Edith Wharton - The Mount in Lenox, Massachusetts
New England Legends, News, Views, & Interviews

Edith Wharton’s The Mount

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edith Wharton’s home, The Mount, in Lenox, Massachusetts is renowned for its beauty and majesty – but there’s also a sinister side to it. Marital infidelities, madness, and death are also a part of this gilded age mansion’s tale, and ghosts of the past are said to haunt it today. Legend Hunter Jeff Belanger turns a page in Wharton’s story to uncover some of The Mount’s deepest, darkest secrets.

New England Legends, News, Views, & Interviews

Emmy-Nominated New England Legends Television Series Returns to PBS with “Miracles and the Missing”

Author and adventurer Jeff Belanger explores the folklore of New England. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – October 20, 2014 – New England is full of ghosts, monsters, and other mysteries that are more than just campfire tales. These legends and lore are as much a part of New England History as are the famous ancestors whose names grace our towns and schools today. Just in time for Halloween, WGBY in Springfield, Massachusetts, Rhode Island PBS, and Vermont PBS will be broadcasting the series including “Miracles and the Missing”—the latest episode of New England Legends. In 2015, the “Maritime Mysteries” episode of New England Legends was nominated for an Emmy under the “Magazine Program/Special” category. This was the second Emmy nomination for the series in as many years. “Miracles and the Missing” explores some of the greatest haunts and mysteries New England has to offer. The episode opens with the legend of Lucy Keyes, the story of a young Colonial girl who went missing in the vicinity of Mt. Wachusett in 1755. Her mother’s spirit has been looking for her ever since. Next, viewers see a nineteenth-century advertisement for Shaker Medicinal Spring Water. “This water smites disease and death,” the ad claims. Could the fountain of youth be right here in New England? A trip to the local cemetery reveals some startling findings. Finally, we travel to the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts to hear about a 1969 UFO encounter that just made history as the first UFO experience to be incorporated into an Historical Society’s official records. “We tell stories of miracles and profound human experiences because we’re still finding our place in the universe,” said Host and Executive Producer Jeff Belanger. “From missing children to out-of-this world accounts from first-hand UFO witnesses, our region is full of legends that are more than just stories. Something significant is happening here in New England, and we’re thrilled to document as much of it as we can.” New England Legends is a joint venture between Jeff Belanger and Tony Dunne. The two have been working together since 2009 when Dunne wrote and produced the documentary Things That Go Bump in the Night: Tales of Haunted New England for PBS. Belanger was featured prominently in that first documentary, which went on to national acclaim. “To earn an Emmy nomination two years in a row is a huge honor,” said Director and Executive Producer Tony Dunne. “With ‘Miracles and the Missing,’ we’re taking this series to a higher level with better story-telling, camera work, and editing. We want to show New Englanders the mysteries that many walk by every day without noticing.” Belanger and Dunne are currently working on future episodes of New England Legends and are actively seeking sponsorship to turn the program into a regular feature across more New England PBS affiliates. About Jeff Belanger Jeff Belanger (www.jeffbelanger.com) is a New England native, author, adventurer, and one of the most visible and prolific explorers of the unknown out there today. Since 1997, the journalist has interviewed thousands of eyewitnesses to unusual occurrences. He’s the author of more than a dozen books on the paranormal (published in six languages) including the best sellers: The World’s Most Haunted Places, Weird Massachusetts, Our Haunted Lives, and Who’s Haunting the White House? (for children). He’s the founder of Ghostvillage.com, the Web’s most popular paranormal destination according to Google.com, and a noted speaker and media personality. He’s also the host of the cable/Web talk show, 30 Odd Minutes which is available in over 9 million homes in the United States. Belanger has written for newspapers like The Boston Globe and is the series writer and researcher for Ghost Adventures on the Travel Channel. He’s been a guest on hundreds of radio and television programs including: The History Channel, The Travel Channel, Biography Channel, PBS, NECN, Living TV (UK), The Maury Show, The CBS News Early Show, FOX, NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates, National Public Radio, The BBC, Australian Radio Network, and Coast to Coast AM.  About Tony Dunne Award-winning television producer Tony Dunne has called New England home his entire life. After studying film and television production at Emerson College and the University of Massachusetts, Dunne has spent the past 15 years working as a producer in news, commercial, independent, and most recently public television at PBS honing his storytelling skills. He has produced magazine programs, nightly newscasts, quiz shows, lifestyle and health programming, as well as the nationally-distributed documentary Things That Go Bump in the Night: Tales of Haunted New England for PBS. About New England Legends New England Legends is a partnership between Tony Dunne and Jeff Belanger. The series premiered in 2013 on PBS affiliate WGBY in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 2014, the initial episode was nominated for an Emmy under the “Magazine Program/Special” category. “Miracles and the Missing” will air on WGBY Thursday, October 29 at 10PM, on Vermont PBS, Thursday, October 29 at 7:30 PM, and on Rhode Island PBS, Saturday, October 31 at 12:00 PM. For more information, visit: www.ournewenglandlegends.com

An Evening of Ghost Stories and New England Legends
New England Legends, News, Views, & Interviews

An Evening of Ghost Stories and New England Legends Featuring the Photography of Frank Grace Arrives at Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, Rhode Island May 22

First-of-its-kind performance offers true ghost stories told by some of the region’s leading authorities on the subject set in front of haunting photography of New England’s most infamous legends. APRIL 15, 2015 – Cumberland, Rhode Island – New England is full of tales of ghosts, monsters, and other strange mysteries. Our folklore is intertwined with our past and our culture, and our historic buildings are both beautiful and haunting. This stage performance set for Friday, May 22, 2015 at 8:00 PM at the Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, Rhode Island, is a first of its kind, combining the true history and ghost stories with the eerie photography of Frank Grace. The performers include some of the most accomplished experts and authors in the region: Jeff Belanger, Carl Johnson, Tim Weisberg, and Andrew Lake. “We’re bringing the ghost tour and the campfire tales to the audience,” said Jeff Belanger, producer of An Evening of Ghost Stories and New England Legends. “This isn’t a lecture on the paranormal, this is a celebration of ghost stories. We’re going to create a spooky atmosphere with the history and legends as the audience experiences the locations through the eerie eye of photographer Frank Grace. Frank can tell an entire ghost story with a single image.” The performance will feature stories and photographs from more than a dozen historic locations from around southern New England including: The Lizzie Borden House, Slater Mill, The White Lady of Easton, The Houghton Mansion, The Red Headed Hitchhiker of Route 44, the Grainge Hall Ghost, and many more! “This is the biggest photography project I’ve ever taken on,” said photographer Frank Grace. “I’ve been reading the books these guys wrote and watching them on television shows for years. To work with them on this stage show is an amazing opportunity. This is like taking one of my gallery shows to Broadway levels!” About An Evening of Ghost Stories and New England Legends An Evening of Ghost Stories and New England Legends featuring the photography of Frank Grace will be performed Friday, May 22, 2015, at 8:00 PM at the Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, Rhode Island. Tickets are $15 if purchased before the show online at: www.legendtrips.com or $20 at the door. About the Performers: Jeff Belanger is the author of more than a dozen books on ghosts and legends, he’s the Emmy-nominated host and producer of New England Legends on PBS, the writer and researcher for the Ghost Adventures series on the Travel Channel, and a noted public speaker and media personality who has appeared on the History Channel, Travel Channel, Bio., PBS, and Destination America. Carl L. Johnson has been investigating strange phenomena for over 30 years. He’s an interpreter at the renowned haunt Slater Mill, and he’s been featured on Syfy’s Ghost Hunters, A&E’s Paranormal State: The New Class, Animal Planet’s Finding Bigfoot and The Haunted. Tim Weisberg has been the host of the Spooky Southcoast radio show on WBSM since 2005, he’s the author of Ghosts of the Southcoast and Haunted Objects, and is the writer and researcher of the Ghost Stalkers series on Destination America. He’s appeared on the Discovery Channel, Living TV, the Travel Channel, and the History Channel. Andrew Lake is the founder of Greenville Paranormal, and is the author of Ghosthunting Southern New England, he’s a regular cast member on the 30 Odd Minutes show, a voice-over artist, and has been featured in documentaries and television shows about New England ghost stories. Frank Grace has been photographing eerie New England sites for the past 12 years. In 2014 he published his first wall calendar, Haunted New England, and he’s a two-time finalist for Ron Howard’s “Project Imagination.” His work has been shown at Gallery X, Artworks, New Bedford Art Museum, and Hunakai Studio.

The Pease Family on October Mountain with Jeff Belanger.
New England Legends, News, Views, & Interviews

Return to October Mountain

In 2012, I took the New England Legends audience to October Mountain in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. We were in search of the ghost of a little girl said to haunt an abandoned cemetery near the top. Through exploring that legend, we were able to find the cemetery and give that girl a name once again: Anna Pease. By telling that story, we were able to reunite a family. This was the most profound and touching legend I have ever chased.  

The Jack-o-lantern photo by Frank Grace
New England Legends, News, Views, & Interviews

New England Legends: Origins of Halloween

It’s that time of year again, when ghosts and goblins walk the earth and the veil between our world and the spirit world is said to be at its thinnest… A perfect time for legend chaser Jeff Belanger to examine the origins of Halloween, find out why we like being scared, and seek out some frights at DementedFX’s haunted funhouse attraction in Easthampton, Massachusetts!

New England Legends, News, Views, & Interviews

Emmy-Nominated New England Legends Series Debuts on Rhode Island PBS with “Maritime Mysteries”

Author and adventurer Jeff Belanger explores the folklore of New England’s southeastern coast. Airdates set for Wednesday, October 29th at 8:00 PM on WSBE, and Thursday, October 30th at 10:00 PM on WGBY. PROVIDENCE, RI. – October 21, 2014 – New England is full of ghosts, monsters, and other mysteries that are more than just campfire tales. These legends and lore are as much a part of New England history as are the famous ancestors whose names grace our towns and schools today. On Wednesday, October 29, at 8:00 PM, Rhode Island PBS will be broadcasting the New England Legends series along with the latest episode “Maritime Mysteries.” This will be the first broadcast of the new episode as part of the fall pledge-drive for the station. New England Legends host Jeff Belanger will be live in the studio for the event. In 2014, “The Spooky Berkshires,” the premiere episode of New England Legends was nominated for an Emmy under the “Magazine Program/Special” category. This year the series returns and takes to the water. “Maritime Mysteries” dives into the ocean waters of southeastern New England to explore the lonely and haunted Rose Island Lighthouse off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. Then viewers head to shore to ponder an ancient and mysterious stone tower with possible connections to the Knights Templar. Finally, the crew trek up to New Bedford, Massachusetts, to investigate the haunts of abandoned Fort Taber / Fort Rodman. “New England is almost synonymous with the ocean,” said Host and Executive Producer Jeff Belanger. “The water means everything to us: food, recreation, and commerce. Our shores must be protected and defended… which may explain why so many legends pop up along our coast. We’re thrilled to share these important stories with viewers of Rhode Island PBS.” New England Legends is a joint venture between Jeff Belanger and Tony Dunne. The two have been working together since 2009 when Dunne wrote and produced the documentary Things That Go Bump in the Night: Tales of Haunted New England for PBS. Belanger was featured prominently in that first documentary, which went on to national acclaim. “To earn an Emmy nomination on our very first episode was a huge honor,” said Director and Executive Producer Tony Dunne. “But we knew we could do better. ‘Maritime Mysteries’ takes this series to a higher level with better story-telling, camera work, and editing. We want to show New Englanders the mysteries that many walk by every day without noticing.” Belanger and Dunne are currently working on future episodes of New England Legends and are actively seeking sponsorship to turn the program into a regular feature across more New England PBS affiliates. About Jeff Belanger Jeff Belanger (www.jeffbelanger.com) is a New England native, author, adventurer, and one of the most visible and prolific paranormal researchers today. Since 1997, the journalist has interviewed thousands of eyewitnesses to paranormal occurrences. He’s the author of more than a dozen books on the paranormal (published in six languages) including the best sellers: The World’s Most Haunted Places, Weird Massachusetts, Our Haunted Lives, and Who’s Haunting the White House? (for children). He’s the founder of Ghostvillage.com, the Web’s most popular paranormal destination according to Google.com, and a noted speaker and media personality. He’s also the host of the cable/Web talk show, 30 Odd Minutes which is available in over 9 million homes in the United States. Belanger has written for newspapers like The Boston Globe and is the series writer and researcher for Ghost Adventures on the Travel Channel. He’s been a guest on hundreds of radio and television programs including: The History Channel, The Travel Channel, Biography Channel, PBS, NECN, Living TV (UK), The Maury Show, The CBS News Early Show, FOX, NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates, National Public Radio, The BBC, Australian Radio Network, and Coast to Coast AM. About Tony Dunne Award-winning television producer Tony Dunne has called New England home his entire life. After studying film and television production at Emerson College and the University of Massachusetts, Dunne has spent the past 15 years working as a producer in news, commercial, independent, and most recently public television at PBS honing his storytelling skills. He has produced magazine programs, nightly newscasts, quiz shows, lifestyle and health programming, as well as the nationally-distributed documentary Things That Go Bump in the Night: Tales of Haunted New England for PBS. About New England Legends New England Legends is a partnership between Tony Dunne and Jeff Belanger. The series premiered in 2013 on PBS affiliate WGBY in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 2014, the initial episode was nominated for an Emmy under the “Magazine Program/Special” category. “Maritime Mysteries” will air on WGBY Thursday, October 30th at 10:00 PM, and on Rhode Island PBS, Wednesday, October 29 at 8:00 PM. For more information, visit: www.ournewenglandlegends.com

New England Legends, News, Views, & Interviews

New England Legends: The Mystery of Glastenbury Mountain, Vermont

The site of a ghost town which was lost at the turn of the century, mysterious Glastenbury Mountain is located just outside of Bennington, Vermont. The vast wilderness is host to many legends, among them tales of a “man-eating” rock and several Bigfoot sightings. The area is also the location of several unexplained disappearances over the years, one of which lead directly to the formation of the Vermont State Police. Legend Hunter Jeff Belanger explored the ruins of the ghost town Fayville to find out more.

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