The Roberson Mansion, Upstate New York’s Haunted Museum
Stunning in stature and steeped in history, some say that the grand Roberson Museum in Binghamton, New York is still inhabited by its original owner more than 90 years after his death.
When Alonzo Roberson Jr., the owner of an international lumber company, and his school teacher wife Margaret Hayes Roberson reached their 40s, they, decided to move from the home in which they lived on Main Street in Binghamton, New York to Front Street in Binghamton. Commissioned to build their new home was C. Edward Vosbury.
Vosbury, a Windsor native, honed his skills in New York City, Boston, and Paris. The wealthy and elite sought out Vosbury to construct their residences in the Front Street and Riverside Drive neighborhoods of Binghamton, establishing these areas as the city's premier Edwardian enclave.
The building of the Roberson mansion took three years to complete and no expense was spared as the mansion was fitted with an elevator, central heat, gas and electric lighting, and more. In other words, the mansion boasted all of the modern conveniences of that day. The cost to build the Roberson mansion was approximately $107,500, a fortune for that time.
When Alonzo passed in 1934, he held the roles of President at the Roberson & Son Lumber Company and Chairman of the Board at Marine Midland Bank. With no heir to inherit their wealth, it was determined that upon Margaret's passing, their estate would be gifted and transformed into an educational institution bearing their name.
In 1954, the Roberson Memorial Center was opened. In the years since, the Roberson has grown with additional wings added to include art galleries, a digital planetarium, and a science center all of which are open to the public
But what about the business about it being haunted? Ask any local and they'll tell you that stories have swirled for an eternity about the ghost of Alonzo Roberson Jr. being seeing in the mansion and some will even tell you that if you drive by at night and glance up at the big front windows, you'll see Alonzo himself peering out over the street.
In her book, "Haunted Southern Tier," Elizabeth Tucker recalls stories shared with her by Roberson staff members. The staff shared that they have seen an older gentleman resembling Roberson in the hallway of the second floor as well as seated in the old theater.
In addition to sightings of Alonzo Roberson's ghostly presence, individuals have reported encounters with other spectral figures. Witnesses have described seeing a man donning what seemed to be a West Point uniform, a Native American mother serenading her child, and hearing the laughter of unseen children at times when no youngsters were around.