The Stissing House

The Stissing House is a 200 year old home converted to a restaurant and is the oldest on the East Coast. It sits tucked away in Pine Plains, New York, a town so small it’s really one street. When I first arrived in November, I asked my roommate what was all in town. I walked to the Cow Cafe’ (coffee place), grocery store, basically gave myself a tour while the roomie was at work. The 3rd night I was there, I decided to go to the Stissing House.  I was immediately overcome by energy. Yes I knew the place was old but I got the feeling like something had happened, something meant for the history books and like something was under the house. The Owner spotted me, as a newbie looked me over with a sniff. I dismissed it and asked for a glass of water (since everywhere water is free).

The Stissing House

I introduced myself and asked the owner if something had happened here. They immediately got wide eyed, and stuttered.
“Oh well you know the town talks, but there is nothing to worry about. Are you going to order something?” I got a spritzer since everything else on the menu was $7 for the drinks then left. I kept coming back to the place in hopes of making friends with the community, well you know and always got a spritzer. The restaurant since having been a house and after taking the side door I noticed the stairwell. Naturally, reaching the second floor I was the only one up there. It was wide as if walls had been knocked and made into a party place. I heard a musical note, just one musical note but where had it come from? I walked over to the Piano in the corner, which was one of those older makes. Probably an antique with yellowing keys but the wood was in good repair. I heard the note again but saw no keys playing! The chair to the piano was flattened in one area as if someone was sitting there, but nothing. How strange I thought and I am the only one up here. Walking around the staircase to see the rest of the party room there was a small bar and a movie projector. Outside there was a wrap around deck which was kind of cool. I didn’t understand why the manager didn’t answer my question and the musical note but I had a hunch.

The Stissing House

A month goes by, and one night I stayed late with the lady bartender. About five of us remained and I asked her as I did the manager. She said, “I’ve never met you, but I’ve seen you. How did you know? Well anyway yes you’re right. There was one night where we all went up stairs and drank wine while sitting. We all heard footsteps right in front of us, but saw nothing.” I was stunned, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I asked her about the Piano and she said sometimes there is an elderly lady that likes to play it. As we were talking and she was cleaning off the bar, I could sense ghostly eyes from the shadows as if looking at me. Sounds crazy but we closed up and walking out it was a full moon. I looked back and there was a shadow in the upstairs window looking down. I began walking and it felt as if I was being followed, course looking behind me I saw nothing. Weird. I asked my roommate and being a paranormal investigator himself he said, “Just treat them as if they are regular people. If you don’t want them following you, then simply state I know you need help, but please don’t follow me.”
The week after the incident my premonition was right. I was at the cafe cow ordering raspberry tea when I saw this man come in. He had startling blue eyes and for some reason he wasn’t like the rest. I introduced myself and we became friends. He then told me of this man’s yard that had collapsed. I got excited, and he said there was a tunnel. It turned out the man with the blue eyes was the real owner of the Stissing House and the “manager” was actually a person renting the restaurant from him. That’s when I let loose all the questions and he was impressed. He said there is a tunnel underneath the Stissing House that runs for miles and slaves used to hide in certain homes. He told me… I had found the Underground Railroad.
Talk about a premonition, this is no joke. I mean it’s amazing, just right under your feet and people trying to hide it…