In this episode, we delve into the true history behind the infamous Conjuring House, officially known as the Arnold Estate in Harrisville, Rhode Island. While the property has long been associated with ghostly legends and tragic stories, much of what we think we know is rooted in folklore rather than documented fact. We explore the tales of the Arnold family, including the mysterious deaths of Prudence, Johnny, and Sarah Arnold, as well as the infamous Bathsheba Sherman, separating historical truth from Hollywood fiction. Join us as we uncover the real story behind the Conjuring House’s dark reputation.

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Below is a list of resources used during the research and telling of this story. (partial)

• Biography of Harry Houdini, including his early life, career, and stage name origins: The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero by William Kalush and Larry Sloman.
• Houdini's transition to escape acts and career development: Houdini: The Life and Times of the World's Greatest Magician by Charlotte Montague.
• Houdini's relationship with Bess and their professional partnership: Houdini: The Man Who Walked Through Walls by William Lindsay Gresham.
• Houdini's interactions with Martin Beck and his rise to fame in Vaudeville and Europe: The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero by William Kalush and Larry Sloman.
• Houdini's interest in spiritualism and his relationship with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Houdini and Conan Doyle: The Story of a Strange Friendship by Bernard M. L. Ernst and Hereward Carrington.
• Houdini's skepticism and debunking of spiritualism: A Magician Among the Spirits by Harry Houdini.
• Details of Houdini’s death and the events leading up to it: The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero by William Kalush and Larry Sloman.
• The Broken Wand Ceremony and its significance in the magic community: magician.org and Houdini: His Legend and His Magic by Doug Henning.
• The legend of Houdini’s ghost and posthumous séances: Shadows of Niagara by John Savoie.
• https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/rose-mackenberg-houdini-ghost-buster

and of course Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, Newspaperarchives, FamilySearch.org

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Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, Newspaperarchives, FamilySearch.org

This presentation is protected by US & International copyright laws. Reproduction & distribution of the presentation without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited.