DESCRIPTION: This lovingly restored, 1761 home is the centerpiece of the East Hartford Historical Society's collection of three historic buildings, found in the East Hartford Historical Society’s Martin Park: the Goodwin Schoolhouse, Makens Bemont House, and Burnham Blacksmith Shop. The Makens Bemont House is built in the traditional pre-Revolutionary home style, characterized "by its gambrel roof, vaulted dormer windows and central chimney." HISTORY: This 1761 home was built by a 47 year old Rev. Lieut. Edmund Bemont, who must have been a minister, and also served in the militia, perhaps during one of the French and Indian Wars. Rev. Lieut Edmond Bemont, and his family; wife Abigail Bemont, and sons Makens (1743-1826) and Elijah (1744-1762) lived out their lives the Makens married and lived there too with his family, making a lot of money working with leather; specifically saddles. It is a mystery why the Makens Bemont House was known for years by town tradition as "The Huguenot House." One wonders if it is tied somehow in its history to French Protestants, but no one still alive recalls the story. The Makens Bemont clan managed to keep the cherished family homestead in the family, until the mid-1800s, before selling it to an outsider. Being alive during this era wasn't for sissies! Lack of sanitation and not having the medicine that we now have caused a lot of death in families, due to diseases born of bad, contaminated water, fevers carried by bugs, and infections. Childbirth gone bad could also be a killer of women. Young men died in Wars, like they do in any era of human history. While Makens made a great living, his personal life had a lot of loss to endure. He out-lived not only his parents, and brother, but also lost two of his sons in their late teens; his oldest, Elijah and his youngest, Leanard, both in 1799. Makens' surviving middle son, Ambrose, and Makens' wife, Pamela, along with Makens survived whatever disease outbreak/accident/war adventure that took the lives of the other two boys. (Perhaps they died in the Franco American War action, as both were of military age. But, their headstones don't mention any military service, but some of it was unreadable on the headstones.) Ambrose also had to endure some loss and tragedy. He was married to Lovisa , which ended in 1826, when she probably died, perhaps in childbirth or disease, leaving him with their 2 year old daughter, Harriet, who died as well, 5 years later. A young relative of Ambrose, Meretta Bemont (c.1819-1836), the daughter of a Levi Bemont and Lydia, did come to live with Ambrose and Lovisa and Harriet, suggesting that perhaps she was orphaned. She died young herself, at the age of 17. Ambrose did find another love to marry, Clarissa, and they both died in 1857, both in their 80s; a ripe old age for the mid-1800s. Not much is known about the families that owned this home after 1857. The Makens Bemont House was sold many times to various families, and was even used commercially as a boarding house for travelers. Sometime in the 20th century, The Rosenthal family bought this old fashioned house and made it work. A descendant, Adolph Rosenthal, in his later years, took advantage of a unique opportunity that fell into his lap that he couldn't pass up. An event that guaranteed the future of the Makens Bemont House was the formation of The Historical Society of Hartford, in 1964. The Historical Society of Hartford was formed with the purpose of ""instilling into the townspeople of East Hartford a sense of the hiThe story of the town and to preserve for them this history, including physical properties remaining and the records of the past in the memories of the older citizens". The Historical Society of Hartford created a location for some of the historical buildings of East Hartford, in Martin Park. Adolph Rosenthal, knowing that this home was in need of a boatload of money to restore it, donated this now fixer upper opportunity to the Historical Society of East Hartford, in 1968, J.I.T.! Adolph Rosenthal died soon afterward, having a peace that comes in doing the right thing for this historic property. The Makens Bemont House was moved from its original location, that was at the corner of Tolland Street; at 124 Burnside Avenue, to its special place in Martin Park, in 1971. While the EHHS raised funds, from the town and businesses, professional workmen and volunteers were busy building a new foundation,"straightening the old home's frame, rebuilding the square center chimney, carefully using matching antique bricks, and repaired the 1969 tree damage done to the most impressive gambrel roof." Despite some set-backs, due to vandalism of a few youth that broke some of the rare 18th century glass, The Makens Bemont House, now called "The Huguenot House Museum", opened for viewing by the public, during the week long East Hartford Heritage Festival, in April of 1973. By this grand opening, the EHHS had worked hard to raise the 30,000 dollars for the moving and restoration work by the opening day of this new historic house museum. They immediately started to seek more money to furnish this museum with furniture found in an 18th/early 19th century working man's home. In 1982, the building was added to the National Registry of Historic Places, a big help for the home's preservation and protection. Full restoration took awhile to achieve, though. Gradually, over several years, new white cedar shingles replaced years of old layers of tar paper and asphalt roofing, in order to more closely resemble the original shingles put on by Rev. Lieut. Edmund Bemont. The considerable restoration work done inside the very old interior of the Makens Bemont House was time consuming, a patient process that wasn't finished until the late 1980s. HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS: When a structure is restored and renovated, it can act like a huge environmental trigger, that draws spirits back into this world to cheer on, supervise, or even help the living, so thrilled that their cherished structure is getting a new life! Moving a structure to a new location can cause some spirits to come back into this world to reclaim their home, or help, or supervise. Entities of a loving couple were in contact with a psychic medium, who was a member of The New England Paranormal Research Team up in a second floor bedroom. These two entities could be a couple from one of the three generations of the Makens-Bemont Family. They had the most years as a clan living here, perhaps increasing the chances that it could be so. Other possibilities could be any of the people who lived here, and loved the home. A strong female entity, known as The Blue Lady, likes the children's bedroom. When damage or perceived damage happens to a cherished item or structure due to the foolish people in this world, or people are injured due to faulty construction or bad circumstances, this can also be an environmental trigger, that encourage entities to take a more protective attitude to either protest, help or lead the living. Faulty construction practices or dangerous circumstances Some of the old 17th century glass was broken by some young boys one night, out for a thrill. Henry James Stepanek was a retired contractor who was a strong presence in the beginning of the restoration process of the home. Perhaps he hung around after he died, to watch the remaining restoration work being done, and after the incident of kids breaking the glass windows, he vowed to help, watching out for vandals, or others who are trespassing; becoming a spectral security officer of sorts, stepping in when he feels the need to do so. Children who die unexpectedly sometimes like to stay in their most comfortable place they adored while alive. Three entities of children were present during The East Coast Paranormal Research Team Investigation; two boys and a little girl. Children and older people were often the folks that died in epidemics, or accidents. War can take the lives of people too, in any era of time. People who pass on can appear in any form that pleases them; often choosing a time in their lives where they have fond memories. Childhood is often such a time, and entities sometimes choose to appear as their child selves. The obvious choice of who the boy entities could be, perhaps are Makens' two sons, who may have died together, in 1799. The little girl could be Harriet, Ambrose's little daughter. But who knows? There is no proof who these spirit entities are, but there identities may someday be revealed. MANIFESTATIONS: Paranormal activity was first noticed as being prevalent, after the house was moved to the Historic Structures at Merit Park, and restoration efforts began. By the time restoration was being completed in the 1980s, workmen and locals already considered the building to be haunted. General signs of entities have been experienced by many folks, from the beginning: Footsteps, disembodied voices Sounds of doors opening and closing Random rapping and scratching on items inside the home Unexplained bangs and crashes Odd-colored light forms have been seen around the fireplace Entities thought to be present; Loving Male and Female Entity, The Blue Lady, a strong Male Entity, & perhaps other Male Entities, and at least three children entities:2 boys and 1 girl; known for sure. Loving couple – Male and Female Entity: Called themselves Charles and Hannah – Could be their real names, or just aliases to make the medium happy. Stronger Female Entity – Could be any of the women who lived in this home. (I think the most likely candidates would be Abigail Bemont, wife of Edmund and mother of Makens, or Pamela, Makens' wife.) She was described as having regrets about her motherhood, and not a happy camper. She has focused on a time when she hit her son in anger. This female entity has appeared in front of the living, both inside and outside the house, wearing a blue dress, earning her the nick name, "The Blue Lady". Her apparition has been seen for years, looking out various windows of the house, especially the children's second floor bedroom window. Male Entity, could be Edmund Bemont or Makens; as he was the original builder who constructed this home. Ambrose may also be the entity. Another strong possibility: Henry James Stepanek; Thought to be a long, supportive volunteer who helped in the restoration. This Male entity is a stronger presence, and became active around the late 1970s- early 1980s. Henry passed away in 1975. Any of these choices – Any of these entities named above: A male entity or entities became very active, wanting to help the construction crew in restoring the home. Perhaps to get their attention, to let the workmen and foreman know that he/they were present: This entity or entities probably moved their tools, caused things to fall and made noises, to cause "construction mishaps." Hammering was heard from the outside when people were outside taking a break. When the construction workers realized that a someone from the other side was keeping them company, and wanted to help, they recognized him, giving him the nick-name "Benny". Every morning, when they came to work, they called out, "Hi, Benny!" The foreman even made out a daily work list just for "Benny." This made this male entity very happy to be included. Three definite Children entities – These could be the spirits of the Makens Bemont /Ambrose Bemont children who died young. Perhaps they like being near their mom or Grandma, "The Blue Lady". The three were standing together, noticed by a psychic medium, working with a paranormal investigation group. Perhaps they help to make the rapping and scratching noises heard by the living. Perhaps they like to move items around as well. PARANORMAL FINDINGS Several paranormal teams have previously investigated the site, with interesting results. One of these investigation groups, weren't liked at first: "Benny" was suspected of enforcing the no intruders rule. Some of their investigators had the personal experiences of being firmly pushed down the stairs; escorted down to the common areas on the first floor. Perhaps the investigators were seen as UNINVITED FOLKS for just coming inside and upstairs to private family areas without permission. Faces appearing in the window (Perhaps curious as to who was about to come in, or what was going on.) New England Paranormal Video Research Group - Their investigation was held on September 7th, 2006. They had a successful psychic investigation, and caught a few things in hard evidence. This was an early investigation, before the spirits were familiar with paranormal investigation folks. Working with a psychic medium, they gathered information about some of the spirits there; all fascinating stuff. They captured one very clear evp, from the Blue Lady, "I HAVE NOT FORSAKEN YOU" and also caught some light anomalies in the bedroom. Four years later, the spirits are more forward, and more willing to talk to investigators, knowing that the museum people accepted their presence in the home. The East Coast Paranormal Research Team had visited the Huguenot House several times in the same year, 2010. They apparently were welcomed and liked by the Spirit Entities in residence. They were very successful in capturing quite a few great EVPs and 1 filmed segment. They have posted on their website their boatload of evidence caught over 2 investigations: ecprt.com/huguenothouse.htm August 21st Investigation - 2010. EVPs: Class A ghost box EVP – "Frank Soltys, friend of mine." (second floor bedroom) Frank Soltys is the leader of The East Coast Paranormal Research Team. Class A EVP – "They've been here watching" (In the main entrance of the home.) Perhaps an answer to an EVP question: IS ANYONE HEAR WITH US NOW? Class A EVP – "I'll knock on this." (upstairs bedroom) - Probably an intelligent answer to an EVP session question, such as, Can you make a noise so we know you are here? Class C EVP – "Why not?" (upstairs bedroom) Class C EVP – "Try and talk."(upstairs bedroom) - Perhaps one spirit is encouraging another to communicate during an evp session. Class C/B EVP – "I wish you could help me" (Primary Stairway) Class B EVP – (Female) "My Dad scorched the books." (Male) "Burn the books." (Female) "I did." (Painting room). Perhaps this was a traumatic accident that happened to a child's school books; something she remembers still, even in spirit form. Could this be a child's excuse, for not having her books; Sort of like the age-old excuse. "MY DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK!!"? The East Coast Paranormal Research Team even caught some hard evidence of the male entity, who wanted to help repair the old home. When all the investigators had left the house to regroup outside where their main station was set up, a recorder was left running, and caught the sounds of Edmund Bemont unlatching the upstairs door, loudly clomping down the stairs, "4,5,6", as he comes down the steps. Heard on tape residual energy of Ed building his house - hammering and woodworking, getting his own work done, during an investigation break. He finished, and noisily went back up the stairs, with loud footsteps, and the jangling of his tools on his belt were also picked up. He closed the latch to the door. This was caught on tape. To hear the other EVPs caught during their second investigation, visit their website! STILL HAUNTED? Yes indeed! The spirits that make the Makens Bemont House their home in this world, all have their various reasons for doing so. They willingly share their home with visitors who come to see The Huguenot House Museum during the day, but have the house to themselves during the evening, after closing time, though seem to be good sports when polite paranormal investigators come to visit.