Historic Mullica Hill, known for its preservation of buildings dating back to the early 1700s. History crawls through the town, and just in time for Halloween, the Harrison Township Historical Society holds the annual Ghost Walk. For 23 years, the town has come together to visit some of the haunting stories of the past. David Tinney, president of the Harrison Township Historical Society, talks about some of the buildings mentioned and visited to on the walk, “The Old Town Hall is special as it is our Society Museum and the gem of the Historical Society,” Tinney said, “The Mullica House is the oldest house on the tour (1704) as well as the oldest house within the historic district. The Stratton House is back on the tour again, and the Pancoast House has a great story, as well as St Stephen’s Church and Cemetery.”
Some of the oldest stories told date back to the 1950s and 1970s, which are all, of course, true stories. “All of the stories are interesting and can sometimes make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, but they are stories for both the young and old, from children in strollers to my own mother, who walked the tour when she was about 85 ten years ago,” Tinney said. Jack Dolan, 12, has attended the ghost walk 4 times and enjoys many of the stories told. “My favorite part is learning the stories at the Church, because it is more recent history with people who can attest to the stories.” Dolan said. Through the walk, people can also learn new information about the town, Dolan said, “Something interesting I have learned from the Ghost Walk is how involved Mullica Hill was in the Civil War.”
A lot of towns in South Jersey host hay rides and walks just like this, but by attending this event, it can also show support for the town. Tinney said, “Our events benefit the Harrison Township Historical Society, and I feel it is important to support local history through either donations or by supporting events.”Arianna Sivel, 12, who is an employee at Blue Plate, a restaurant located on Mullica Hill’s Main Street, worked the night of the Ghost Walk. “It was a fun atmosphere to be around, and from what customers were saying, it seemed like an interesting event,” Sivel said. Specific to the event, there are many more reasons why the Ghost Walk is worthwhile, “I think people should go because it’s both a fun and local Halloween attraction, and it teaches a lot about our local history,” Dolan said, “I would strongly recommend taking part in it next year for anyone who’s on the fence about going next year, it is a lot of fun and very rich with local history.”
