Digest

This episode of Lore delves into the fascinating history of haunted houses, starting with the "Ghostbuster ruling" case of Jeffrey Strambovsky, who successfully sued to break a contract for a haunted house in New York. The episode then traces the origins of haunted house stories back to the Upper Paleolithic period, where the practice of burying people with objects suggests a belief in an afterlife and the possibility of ghosts returning. The episode explores how haunted house stories evolved over time, from ancient cautionary tales about proper burial to more modern gothic narratives, with Pliny the Younger's ghost story serving as an early example. The episode then examines the psychological impact of haunted houses, highlighting how homes are seen as places of refuge, and the violation of that safety by an unseen force is deeply unsettling. The episode traces the influence of gothic literature on the modern haunted house genre, starting with Horace Walpole's "The Castle of Otranto," which established the association between gothic architecture and hauntings. The episode also explores the connection between Victorian architecture and haunted houses, noting how the style, once considered modern, became associated with the past and the horrors of World War I. The episode discusses how haunted houses are used as a tool in storytelling, both to frighten and to manipulate audiences. The use of Victorian houses in horror films and TV shows is a prime example of this. The episode then debunks the myth of the Amityville Horror, revealing it as a carefully crafted hoax orchestrated by the Lutz family and Butch DeFeo's lawyer for financial gain. Finally, the episode explores the real story behind the Winchester Mystery House, revealing Sarah Winchester as a brilliant architect and philanthropist, not a spooked housewife. The house's unusual design was a product of her creativity and fascination with numerology, not a desperate attempt to appease ghosts.

Outlines

00:00:00

Haunted Houses: From Ancient Origins to Modern Myths

This episode explores the history of haunted houses, starting with the "Ghostbuster ruling" case of Jeffrey Strambovsky, who successfully sued to break a contract for a haunted house in New York. The episode then traces the origins of haunted house stories back to the Upper Paleolithic period, where the practice of burying people with objects suggests a belief in an afterlife and the possibility of ghosts returning. The episode explores how haunted house stories evolved over time, from ancient cautionary tales about proper burial to more modern gothic narratives, with Pliny the Younger's ghost story serving as an early example.

00:09:45

The Psychological Impact and Literary Influence of Haunted Houses

The episode examines the psychological reasons why haunted house stories are so prevalent across cultures and centuries. Homes are seen as places of refuge, and the violation of that safety by an unseen force is deeply unsettling. The episode traces the influence of gothic literature on the modern haunted house genre, starting with Horace Walpole's "The Castle of Otranto," which established the association between gothic architecture and hauntings. The episode also explores the connection between Victorian architecture and haunted houses, noting how the style, once considered modern, became associated with the past and the horrors of World War I.

00:14:28

Haunted Houses in Popular Culture and Famous Case Debunkings

The episode discusses how haunted houses are used as a tool in storytelling, both to frighten and to manipulate audiences. The use of Victorian houses in horror films and TV shows is a prime example of this. The episode then debunks the myth of the Amityville Horror, revealing it as a carefully crafted hoax orchestrated by the Lutz family and Butch DeFeo's lawyer for financial gain. Finally, the episode explores the real story behind the Winchester Mystery House, revealing Sarah Winchester as a brilliant architect and philanthropist, not a spooked housewife. The house's unusual design was a product of her creativity and fascination with numerology, not a desperate attempt to appease ghosts.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the "Ghostbuster ruling" and how did it change real estate law?

  The "Ghostbuster ruling" refers to the 1989 court case of Strambovsky vs. Ackley, in which Jeffrey Strambovsky successfully argued that sellers are legally obligated to disclose a property's haunted reputation before selling it. This ruling established a precedent for transparency in real estate transactions.

• What are some of the ancient origins of the belief in ghosts?

  The practice of burying people with objects and supplies in the Upper Paleolithic period (50,000 BCE) suggests a belief in an afterlife and the possibility of ghosts returning. This practice implies that something of us survives after death and can separate from our body to go elsewhere.

• Why are haunted house stories so common across cultures and centuries?

  Haunted house stories are prevalent because they tap into our primal fear of home invasion. The violation of our safe haven by an unseen force is deeply unsettling, especially when it's an entity that we can't control or stop.

• How did Horace Walpole's "The Castle of Otranto" influence the modern haunted house genre?

  Walpole's novel, considered the first gothic novel, established the association between gothic architecture and hauntings. The book's setting in a gothic castle helped to create the image of such buildings as places of mystery, darkness, and supernatural activity.

• What is the real story behind the Winchester Mystery House?

  Sarah Winchester was a brilliant architect and philanthropist, not a spooked housewife. The house's unusual design was a product of her creativity and fascination with numerology, not a desperate attempt to appease ghosts. She also dedicated a significant portion of her wealth to fighting tuberculosis.

Show Notes