Palmyra Historical Museum and Phelps General Store
Palmyra, New York. USA
July 22, 2023
On July 22, 2023 the team travelled to New York State. This was the first official over-the-border investigation for the team. Our destination: Palmyra, New York.
Located in Wayne County, New York and a village in the Finger Lakes Region, Palmyra has its own historical significance. Originally called Swift Landing, it was founded in 1789. It was renamed Palmyra in 1796. Like many villages, Palmyra had its ups and downs as it grew. It is also the birth place of the Latter-Day Saint Movement (a type of Mormonism) in the 1820s and still holds a significant role in the Religion.
The Palmyra Historical Museum is located on Market St, just off of the downtown area. It’s a quiet little street, however it commands a presence. The building that the museum occupies was original on another street in the town, but was moved to its current location when the historical society saved it from being demolished. It was then brought to Market St and place on top of a pre-existing foundation. Known as the St. James Hotel and Rifenburgh Tavern, it had a lengthy dark history – Murder, death, alcohol, gambling, and loose women were frequent amongst the rooms.
The foundation that the house was rested upon, didn’t happen to have a better story. It was the only remnants that remained of a terrible house fire that occurred in 1964. On December 20, 1964 at 2AM, Anna Ruth Breedon and her six children – Marion Edward “Eddie” (age 8), Dennis (age 6), Susie (age 5), Mitchel (age 4), Sharon (age 3) and Samuel (age 1) lost their lives. Paul Breedon, Ruth’s husband was not home at the time, but travelling back from Chicago. He was originally told that his family had escaped, but that was not the case. Anna Ruth was found with four of her children, under a mattress in the basement. Eddie and Samuel were later discovered among the ashes upstairs. Firefighters described the fire as high temperature, with a rapidly moving flame front. It is unknown how the fire started or why it burned as hot as it did. Foul play was questioned and theories were talk about. One of those theories was that Paul was responsible. There was a lot of talk among the town, and some pretty damning “evidence” that Paul had his hand in the tragedy, but there was nothing that was 100% proof. To this day, there are still ashes and charred fragments of the old wooden house in the Museum’s basement.
Located in Wayne County, New York and a village in the Finger Lakes Region, Palmyra has its own historical significance. Originally called Swift Landing, it was founded in 1789. It was renamed Palmyra in 1796. Like many villages, Palmyra had its ups and downs as it grew. It is also the birth place of the Latter-Day Saint Movement (a type of Mormonism) in the 1820s and still holds a significant role in the Religion.
The Palmyra Historical Museum is located on Market St, just off of the downtown area. It’s a quiet little street, however it commands a presence. The building that the museum occupies was original on another street in the town, but was moved to its current location when the historical society saved it from being demolished. It was then brought to Market St and place on top of a pre-existing foundation. Known as the St. James Hotel and Rifenburgh Tavern, it had a lengthy dark history – Murder, death, alcohol, gambling, and loose women were frequent amongst the rooms.
The foundation that the house was rested upon, didn’t happen to have a better story. It was the only remnants that remained of a terrible house fire that occurred in 1964. On December 20, 1964 at 2AM, Anna Ruth Breedon and her six children – Marion Edward “Eddie” (age 8), Dennis (age 6), Susie (age 5), Mitchel (age 4), Sharon (age 3) and Samuel (age 1) lost their lives. Paul Breedon, Ruth’s husband was not home at the time, but travelling back from Chicago. He was originally told that his family had escaped, but that was not the case. Anna Ruth was found with four of her children, under a mattress in the basement. Eddie and Samuel were later discovered among the ashes upstairs. Firefighters described the fire as high temperature, with a rapidly moving flame front. It is unknown how the fire started or why it burned as hot as it did. Foul play was questioned and theories were talk about. One of those theories was that Paul was responsible. There was a lot of talk among the town, and some pretty damning “evidence” that Paul had his hand in the tragedy, but there was nothing that was 100% proof. To this day, there are still ashes and charred fragments of the old wooden house in the Museum’s basement.
Today the Palmyra Historical Museum had rooms dedicated to the history of Palmyra and members of its community. There are rooms dedicated to first responders, medical, toys, and war (just to name a few). Each room possess a unique feel and an inquisitive history. Each room also seems to a have a spectral inhabitant. The medical room seems to be frequented by a doctor who doesn’t like women. There is an entitiy that likes to stay in the merchant room. Children have been heard laughing around the toys, and moving them, in the Toy room. On the lower level, apparitions are seen and energies are felt in the former saloon area. The museum is a marvel all on its own, but the paranormal experiences are abundant.
A couple of doors down sits the Phelps General Store. This is also part of the Historic Palmyra Museums, and an amazing time capsule. Built in 1826, the building has served as a boarding house, tavern, bakery and general store. William Phelps purchased the building in November 1868. The first floor was a well-established grocery store. The second and third floors served as the family home. William S. Phelps was boring on May 15, 1832. He served as Village President in 1876. He also acted as police justice for several terms, justice of sessions, village treasurer and village trustee. He married Catherine Smith (born November 10, 1830) in 1857. Their first child, Mary Louise, was born on January 19, 1858. Their son, Julius, was born on November 1, 1868.
Catherine Phelps died on June 19, 1907. William Phelps died April 5, 1917. Both appear to have died in the home. Mary Louise Phelps died in the home on March 15, 1921. She never married and had no children.
In 1895, Julius Phelps took over the General Store and the family home. He married Mary “Mayme” Aldrich on January 13, 1895. Their only child, Sibyl Eugenia Phelps, was born on October 10, 1895. Julius and Mayme continued to work at the general store until July 1940. On that July day, Julius closed the store at the end of the day as he normally would, and never returned. The store remained closed, with everything still where it was left. Never to be touched. There was plenty of speculation that Julius was tired of running the shop, or he was nervous about the upcoming war. No one but the Phelps family knows the real reason. The family continued to live on the upper floors, but they never stepped foot into the store again.
Mary “Mayme” Phelps died in the home on October 20, 1955. Julius White Phelps died in the home on August 5, 1960.
Inheriting the family home and closed general store, Sybil would live there until her death. Growing up, Sybil loved theatre and was an accomplished musician. She hoped to make it big and come a star. She had attended Eastman School of Music after high school and was attending acting school in New York City. With her funds running low, she wrote home to her father, asking for some money. Upon receiving the letter her father, Julius, gave her an ultimatum – come home and get a job, or come home and get married. Begrudgingly, Sybil would return home, however not to get married. She would find a job as a tombstone distributor.
A couple of doors down sits the Phelps General Store. This is also part of the Historic Palmyra Museums, and an amazing time capsule. Built in 1826, the building has served as a boarding house, tavern, bakery and general store. William Phelps purchased the building in November 1868. The first floor was a well-established grocery store. The second and third floors served as the family home. William S. Phelps was boring on May 15, 1832. He served as Village President in 1876. He also acted as police justice for several terms, justice of sessions, village treasurer and village trustee. He married Catherine Smith (born November 10, 1830) in 1857. Their first child, Mary Louise, was born on January 19, 1858. Their son, Julius, was born on November 1, 1868.
Catherine Phelps died on June 19, 1907. William Phelps died April 5, 1917. Both appear to have died in the home. Mary Louise Phelps died in the home on March 15, 1921. She never married and had no children.
In 1895, Julius Phelps took over the General Store and the family home. He married Mary “Mayme” Aldrich on January 13, 1895. Their only child, Sibyl Eugenia Phelps, was born on October 10, 1895. Julius and Mayme continued to work at the general store until July 1940. On that July day, Julius closed the store at the end of the day as he normally would, and never returned. The store remained closed, with everything still where it was left. Never to be touched. There was plenty of speculation that Julius was tired of running the shop, or he was nervous about the upcoming war. No one but the Phelps family knows the real reason. The family continued to live on the upper floors, but they never stepped foot into the store again.
Mary “Mayme” Phelps died in the home on October 20, 1955. Julius White Phelps died in the home on August 5, 1960.
Inheriting the family home and closed general store, Sybil would live there until her death. Growing up, Sybil loved theatre and was an accomplished musician. She hoped to make it big and come a star. She had attended Eastman School of Music after high school and was attending acting school in New York City. With her funds running low, she wrote home to her father, asking for some money. Upon receiving the letter her father, Julius, gave her an ultimatum – come home and get a job, or come home and get married. Begrudgingly, Sybil would return home, however not to get married. She would find a job as a tombstone distributor.
Never marrying, Sybil turned to spiritualism. She was more content with conversing with the dead than sharing life with anyone living. It was even said that she possessed a crystal ball. Being deeply involved in the spiritual world, Sybil was a recluse. It was rumored amongst the children of Palmyra that she was a witch, which in returned, caused fear. Her love of animals didn’t help her title, as she was reported to have had 15 cats at one time. Like her father, she also had trouble hearing. She also placed mirrors facing each other on purpose, to create spirit portals in her home. Sybil was living at her home when the fire at the Breedon residence occurred. She would more than likely have been evacuated from her home during that fateful night. Sybil Phelps would pass away on December 9, 1976. Leaving her home, and the store below, as a time capsule of years long gone.
Its not hard to believe that the Phelps General Store and home is haunted. The building has seen everything and retained a lot of energy. Reports of a man pacing in a bedroom upstairs, disembodied voices, invisible cats, the sound of footsteps, and apparitions of children are just a few things that have been experienced. When you enter the Phelps General Store, you are literally taking a step back to July 1940. Everything is exactly where it was left – including the eggs on the counter. It is an indescribable feeling to see how it was, exactly. There are also the reports of a child ghost but the name of “Holly”. It is said that she died in 1836, however her identity is truly unknown. It is said she was the daughter of a family who lived in the building when it was a boarding house, or possibly a victim of a horse accident outside of the building. Either way, “Holly” appears to reside in the upstairs of the building. Perhaps it was Sybil who brough “Holly” into her house through her spirit communication.
It has also been reported that a couple of the Breedon children have been spotted on the second floor of the Phelps General Store. The two girls and one of the boys have been seen.
Check out our Live Video of our investigation of Second floor at the Palmyra Historical Museum.
Its not hard to believe that the Phelps General Store and home is haunted. The building has seen everything and retained a lot of energy. Reports of a man pacing in a bedroom upstairs, disembodied voices, invisible cats, the sound of footsteps, and apparitions of children are just a few things that have been experienced. When you enter the Phelps General Store, you are literally taking a step back to July 1940. Everything is exactly where it was left – including the eggs on the counter. It is an indescribable feeling to see how it was, exactly. There are also the reports of a child ghost but the name of “Holly”. It is said that she died in 1836, however her identity is truly unknown. It is said she was the daughter of a family who lived in the building when it was a boarding house, or possibly a victim of a horse accident outside of the building. Either way, “Holly” appears to reside in the upstairs of the building. Perhaps it was Sybil who brough “Holly” into her house through her spirit communication.
It has also been reported that a couple of the Breedon children have been spotted on the second floor of the Phelps General Store. The two girls and one of the boys have been seen.
Check out our Live Video of our investigation of Second floor at the Palmyra Historical Museum.
Palmyra Historical Museum and Phelps General Store have so many stories and experiences attached to the buildings. It is hard to put down everything on paper. We believe that you should experience these locations for yourself. Palmyra is a 3.5-hour drive from Toronto, crossing the border at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge. For more information on the Palmyra Historical Museums, visit their website at https://www.historicpalmyrany.com/
Make sure that you also check out the episode of the TV show “Kindred Spirits” with Amy Bruni and Adam Berry, that sees the duo investigate the Palmyra Historical Museum and Phelps General Store. Season 7, episode 2 titled “What Lies Below”. We did not know that the Amy, Adam and the show had filmed at this location until way after we had booked our investigation. We had booked this location at the end of 2022 and the new season of Kindred Spirits began in January 2023, with this particular episode airing on January 27, 2023.
Make sure that you also check out the episode of the TV show “Kindred Spirits” with Amy Bruni and Adam Berry, that sees the duo investigate the Palmyra Historical Museum and Phelps General Store. Season 7, episode 2 titled “What Lies Below”. We did not know that the Amy, Adam and the show had filmed at this location until way after we had booked our investigation. We had booked this location at the end of 2022 and the new season of Kindred Spirits began in January 2023, with this particular episode airing on January 27, 2023.