Oct
11

Spooked at the Smithsonian

Is that mysterious knocking sound just old pipes in an aging building? Or is the Smithsonian host to something a bit more…unnatural?

Illustration of a spooky Smithsonian Castle for Sidedoor episode 8.9

The Smithsonian Institution was founded on principles of reason and scientific inquiry. So why is the museum home to countless tales of unexplained phenomena and —dare we say — ghost sightings? Inspired by an apparition at the National Museum of American History, we creak across the floorboards of the museum’s attics, sneak into an old house in the woods, and even travel back in time to bring you a collection of spooky stories that can only be found at the Smithsonian.

This time on Sidedoor, we bring you a few of the supernatural stories shared in whispers between Smithsonian staff: the tales of unexplained phenomena and apparitions that have haunted the institution for nearly two centuries.

Daguerrotype of Henry Statue at North entrance of SIB
The bronze statue of the institution’s first secretary, Joseph Henry, watches over the Smithsonian Castle as workers prepare to move the sculpture to its current location facing the building’s north entrance. November 8, 1934. Image courtesy of the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives.

Guests

  • Molly Horrocks, Collections Manager, Division of Political and Military History at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
  • Pamela Henson, Institutional Historian at the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives
  • Cpl. Ronald Howlin, Security Officer at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
  • Deborah Hull-Walski, Collections Manager, Education Collections at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History
  • Melissa Johnson, daughter of Deb Hull-Walski and former skeptical teenager
  • Kim Dixon, former volunteer at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Composite photo of Huff-Walski and haunted staircase
Behind-the-scenes locations of unexplained phenomena. Left: the staircase leading to The Price of Freedom: Americans at War at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Right: Deborah Hull-Walski stands next to the self-starting sinks in the staff restroom at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Photographs by Lizzie Peabody.

Listen now

Links and other fun stuff

Composite of Woodlawn House looking spooky and Security Guard
Left: The Woodlawn House on the night of Lizzie and Cpl. Howlin’s midnight ride along. Right: Cpl. Howlin, the night watchman at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Photographs by Lizzie Peabody.
B&W photo of two elephants being led by keeper
Dunk (right) and Gold Dust (left), the National Zoological Park’s first elephants, take a walk with keeper William Blackburne, 1898. Blackburne served as the first head keeper at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park from 1892-1943. He took a hands-on approach to animal care during his 52-year tenure, and is said to have never once taken a day off for illness or vacation. Image courtesy of the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives.

Want more shivers?

Ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggety beasties and things that go bump in the night

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Posted: 11 October 2022
About the Author:

Alex di Giovanni is primarily responsible for "other duties as assigned" in the Office of Communications and External Affairs. She has been with the Smithsonian since 2006 and plans to be interred in the Smithson crypt.