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Lauren HessLauren Hess

Lauren Hess Mrs. Laurencot Nonfiction Essay Have you ever wondered about life after death? Do spirits go into heaven, just vanish, or do they really stay for unfinished business? In my book called __Haunted Houses Tales from 30 American Homes__ the author Nancy Roberts tells about a series of haunted houses in America with excruciating pasts. America is being haunted by the history of its past, but the remains of this history has left us in an exciting culture and there’s always something entertaining about it. Our history is what made us who we are today and many people in our history have been researched and discovered because of peculiar happenings in the house they once lived in. For example, every person that was involved in the stories in my book was researched to see who lived in that specific house and what events happened in that house to trigger these strange activities from happening. The stories in my book also tell what it was like to live in the 1700’s because that was the time period that most of these events took place in. In the story of Old Fort Niagara which is in New York they said they had a mess hall, bakery, blacksmith shop, and a small chapel. (pg1) This gives people a chance to know how it was like back then and how society has advanced. Our society is well advanced and it’s because of our history and the people who have died that our society is as successful as it is today. Some of America’s cultural traditions have come from ghosts. The night of October 31st is said to be the night when all ghosts can come back and do as they please. Today this holiday is called Halloween and is celebrated by people dressing up in costumes and walking around door to door saying trick-or-treat and in return get candies of all sorts. Also on this holiday people may dress up as ghosts to try to scare people out of their whits. Like in my book it says, “at first the ghosts terrified me” (pg 23). For most people if they ever witnessed a ghost sighting they would be terrified and rendered speechless. But on Halloween if you see a ghost it’s most likely someone dressed up as one to try to scare you which makes the holiday more exciting. If it weren’t for stories of ghosts then this horrific and exciting holiday would not exist. If ghost’s stories weren’t around we wouldn’t have as much entertainment as we do today. In mostly every state I’ve been to, there has always been something about ghosts, whether it’s a ghost tour or a book about ghosts in that state. Most states love to do a good ghost tour because it attracts a lot of tourists. In my book Yvonne Brown conducted a very interesting tour at the Daniel Benton Homestead in Tolland, Connecticut. A couple that were decedents from two people that died in that house came for a private tour. Yvonne Brown thought that it was a coincidence that they would be there and they are a couple just like the couple who died in that house all the way back in the 1700’s. (pg12) Just the mystery of ghosts around the world draws people in wanting to know more. Many people are eager to hear about the stories of ghosts because it always leaves them wondering whether or not it’s true. America is being haunted by the history of its past, but the remains of this history has left us in an exciting culture and there’s always something entertaining about it. Like it says in my book, “What’s the use of us working all day at a place where you can’t get any sleep at night”. (pg18) So if you’ve ever heard of a place that’s haunted I wouldn’t dare walk into it unless you’re willing to leave with a white face.