The Dorset County Museum in Dorchester was recently the subject of an investigation by ghost hunters who spotted several mysterious figures flitting about when their footage was reviewed. Is the Dorset County Museum the site of several ghosts who still haunt the halls? Or are these images all simply tricks of the light?
The two ghosts suspected of haunting the Dorset County Museum include the much feared Judge George Jeffreys who died in 1689 and the ghost of Mary Anning whose death occurred in 1847. Though they are from quite different times, the two ghosts have converged on the museum and are said to walk the halls regularly.
Since Mary Anning was the first honorary member of the museum prior to her death and did much to ensure its success, it’s understandable why she may have chosen the spot to haunt. But what of Judge Jeffreys? An article from the BBC that followed the case suggests the Judge may have found his way into the haunted museum alongside the chair he sat in to sentence many accused people to death. The team investigating witnessed both traditional paranormal readings from the area through EMF detectors and motion sensing cameras as well as a psychic affiliated with the team named Beryl Smith. Smith claimed to have sensed and communicated with a male figure bearing a very powerful voice, but as electronics were used to detect whether any anomalous energy were in the area the voice soon became more distant and quieter. As a result a good reading was not made.
Judge Jeffreys was said to be a vengeful and bitter judge, but with a reputation as an excellent legal genius. With his stately red robes and demeanor that seems almost stereotypical for the era of a man in his position, Jeffreys sentenced hundreds of men to jail or even death for the various crimes punishable by it in his day. The man was well respected but also much feared for his frequent outbursts and his incredible disdain for scofflaws.
The figure photographed appears to be a veiled figure with flowing robes or possibly a hood. To some viewers it looks as though the figure is facing away from the camera as it walks away, presumably right through a wall to the south.
Is it possible this beautiful museum carries with it a terrible curse that causes the dead to roam the halls during the day? Are these ghosts looking for peace? Or is the spirit of Judge George Jeffreys still looking to judge those he considers guilty and punish them? The museum is suspected of hosting several other ghosts, but this particular investigation covered by the BBC didn’t include sightings of them. Will future investigations uncover more information on these paranormal entities? Or will there be a whole new take on the origin of these ghostly apparitions that so often appear to visitors?