Spirit House was a mecca for Spiritualists during the hay day of the Burnt Over District in Central New York when religious exploration and growth were blossoming there and America was undergoing its Second Great Awakening. People from all over the world would flock to Spirit House in Georgetown NY (30 miles 30 Southeast of Syracuse) in the southwest corner of Madison County. That spiritual connection to the divine that drew masses of pilgrims in the nineteenth century still emanates there.

“Build it and they shall come.”

“Mr. Timothy Brown, moved to Georgetown (1855) from Ryegate, Vermont, and purchased a small parcel of land south of the town. Here he built a home for his family…He made no secret of the fact that the structure was to be built under spirit direction.” (Source: “The Spirit House, Georgetown, New York,” (Also referred to as Brown’s Free Hall), compiled by: Georgetown Historical Society, 1991).

As stories go, town residents told me that during construction Mr. Brown would be chiseling wood and at times would be redirected to apply his chisel in a more proper manner, or angle. The house is of such intricate and ornate design that some have described it as looking like a Wedding Cake.

The Georgetown Historical Society’s report on Spirit House notes how surprised town residents where that Mr. Brown was even able to construct a house, let alone one of such intricate design;

“The entire community knew that Tim Brown was no carpenter, but in about 10 years time, after declaring his intent to build—the house was completed. The timbers came from local forests and he worked along with uncanny accuracy. With dogged determination he struggled on until he at last completed the frame. He engaged the assistance of a master carpenter for the raising of the frame. The carpenter surprised those who had been skeptical about Brown’s workmanship when he told them that it was the best frame he had ever seen.”

“With the completion of the house, members of the spiritualist sect from far and near came to “Brown’s Hall” in Georgetown. More space was needed for meetings, so in 1874 Brown bought a vacant Presbyterian church…” (ibid pages 2-3).

Spiritualism

Spiritualism began with the Fox sisters in Hydesville NY (30 miles east of Rochester, NY) in 1848 when they said they heard mysterious rapping’s and claimed that they had communicated with a dead peddler. Forty years later they would admit that the rapping’s were created by snapping their toes and that they had never communicated with any spirit. In the interim spiritualism and spiritualists grew by leaps and bounds and continued so even long after the Fox sister’s confession of their fraud.

Spiritualism was predicated on the belief that people, or mediums, could communicate directly with spirits, angels and God. Séances would be held during which a medium would attempt to contact a spirit on the other side.

The idea that people could communicate with the recently deceased drew lots of interest from people grieving lost loved ones. This appeal to people at a time of vulnerability made the movement susceptible to fraud. It was the suspicion of fraud by a visiting medium that drew the residents of Georgetown’s ire and closed down Brown’s Hall.

Alice Cosset lived in Spirit House for decades until she passed away in 1989. The home has not been lived in since, nor adequately maintained. It is registered as a national historic site. It is rumored that the current owner Mrs. Wilson does not wish to sell the house.

Judge Not

The fraud perpetrated by the Fox sisters and other spiritualists dampened the enthusiasm and credibility of spiritualism. But in discharging Spiritualism are we throwing out the baby with the bathwater? I most certainly agree with Madame Blavatsky, founder of Theosophy, who during the height of spiritualism championed against communicating with dead spirits. We should, however, not be dismissive of people for trying to commune with the spiritual realm.

Spiritualism should be viewed as a part of the spiritual movement of the Burnt Over District in upstate NY. This movement(s) had a large role in shaping and influencing America’s religions. Instead of focusing on the specific religions or movements born here, such as Mormonism, Seven Day Adventists, Evangelicalism or the New Age movement, we should instead look at the incredible transformative power of the area. People did not “settle” for their religious heritage, but rather looked to improve and expand upon them.

That opportunity to expand and explore consciousness still exists today at Brown’s Hall and other places in the Burnt Over District.

Experiencing Spirit House

Spirit House affords the pilgrim a great opportunity to commune with spirit, whether you call it God or your higher self. The good intentions of people that have visited there seeking God have helped built a strong foundation for this. The abundance of ley lines, or lines of consciousness, is a testament of this ability to communicate.

Unfortunately, many have come to Brown’s Hall for purposes other than connecting with God. Those intentions, albeit it minute, linger there as well. The Pilgrim should be aware of this and realize that spiritually powerful places increase our perceptual abilities. In other words what may give you concern at Brown’s Hall is not much different from other places you know; only at Brown’s Hall you will be more aware of it because of your heightened senses and awareness. For example, at one place I experienced a feeling of being spooked or boo-ed by someone. No doubt this sense came from the many visitors, or gawk-ers, who have visited spirit house and have created such a Samskara by looking for such a thrill.

Be aware that Spirit House sits on private property that is maintained by the neighbors. Park your car in the church lot next door . I suggest you walk straight back along the hedge row next to spirit house into the woods behind Spirit house.Be sensitive to the community and neighbors and you will not be bothered. Spirit house is located 600 feet south of the intersection of Rte’s 26 &80.

Also be aware that the backyard area, particularly near the stand of trees closest to the house, is so highly charged that my hair stood on end while I was there. Such an experience can startle you if you are not used to it. Just ask for God, light and love and you will not be disappointed.

Meditation—The stand of trees behind the house is a great area to meditate. I would suggest a technique that you find personally conducive for communication with creator.

Contemplative Walk—The woods behind the house is the real jewel that sits on a field of consciousness. All the prayers and search for the divine have made it stong. There are several trails behind the house that allow for a contemplative walk. Neighbors walk back there and have told me how nice it is. Find a nice spot and sit down and meditate.

Technicals

Given that six lines of consciousness (ley lines) intersect in the house it is not surprising that people looking to communicate with God or spirits would be drawn to such a site. The only other place that I have found such a “Times Square” intersection of consciousness is on the shores of Onondaga Lake. Ley lines have historically been associated with religious or sacred sites. Often when I am surveying places and I ask God where I should pray I am directed to an intersection point of several ley lines.

There backyard, particularly the woods contains a field of consciousness. In fact it is a stacked field containing 5 fields one upon each other--very significant and very powerful. Your hair may well stand up in the back. All the good intentions and prayers created during the hay day of Spirit House have brought in additional energy lines and helped juice the field up.

A water dome lies to the south of the house. Heaven energy in the form of several energy vortexes descend upon the property.

I could not get in the house but I would imagine it is quite a powerful place.

Raising Awareness

Spirit House continues to attract the curious. In 2005 a film crew from England working on a Mae West documentary was there with a medium looking to contact the ghost of Mae West. Unfortunately, it is thrill seekers and gawkers like this that reduces Spirit Houses divine possibilities. As the bible says, “seek and ye shall find”—this becomes magnified at a sacred site such as Spirit House.

Visit and pray at spirit house. If you cannot visit keep it in your prayers and good thoughts.

Current status

With much effort the Georgetown Historical Society was able to have Spirit House registered as a national historic site. I have any inkling that more can and will be done to have it reborn as a place of worship or retreat center for all people. You can help that process along by making some phone calls. Call New York State Senator David Valesky’s office (315-478-8745) and tell them that you want New York State to help restore Spirit House. You can also indicate the same to Madison County historian Sarah Davies (315-366-2453).

Make sure to stop by Muller Hill’s Enchanted Forest only a few miles away.

Special thanks to Estelle Evans for sharing her many memories of Spirit House and Alice Cosset. Thanks also to Debbie Slocum.

Brown’s Hall is a national treasure. Your prayers and good intentions will help make it the shining jewel that it should and can be.

God Bless and Praise Allah,

Madis Senner

PS--From Robert W. Skellan. [T]he "small parcel of land south of town" was where Timothy Brown built his first house, not the Spirit House. His first house still stands a mile or so south on Rt 80 on the same side of the road. It can be identified by the ball/icicle trim (painted red) around the eaves.

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