As far as a brief history goes on this place is that James Van Horn and his family lived here after living in a cabin not to far away from a saw mill which later was burnt down by the British in the war of 1812. Two other attempts were made by the Van Horns to rebuild there sawmills only to have them consumed by flames. The Van Horns were very prominent and successful people in the area as the mansion was used at one time for a town meeting. Also James eventually opened up a store, woolen factory and distillery. James Van Horns brother and his sons were also very well known in the area as his brother owned a large farm. The sons eventually sold the property in 1910 as most of the Van Horn family was buried in the orchard by that time. 

In 1950s all the graves were moved to a nearby cemetery and that is when the Hauntings begin. In 1837 a young 21 year old woman named Melinda (Wife of James Van Horn son)  was struck by a tree branch and killed. Some think maybe she hung herself possibly but the Van Horn Family had a series of mishaps such as the mills burning down, or the accident that happened to poor Melinda Van Horn. In a way I find it so sad that a young girl did not have a chance to live out her life and maybe that is why she haunted the property or was it the fact her grave was unmarked and the rest of her family was moved to another area? Many ghost are seen here Melinda mainly as she watched carpenters in the 1970s fix up the home for new owners. From that time all the way till 1987 many ghost sightings were reported of lights seen in the windows, a ghostly girl walking by the road, children ghost and even a male apparition which I believe was James Van Horn himself. Why would it not be? He built this mansion it was his life and he lived his days out here so now he shall remain to watch over it along with the Van Horn Family.

In 1987 a group of psychics and dowsers found Melinda's bones in the orchard and with the help of prison workers and the Sheriffs Dept a stone was put there for Melinda. They say after that time the Hauntings completely stop. As many felt her spirit could not rest because her grave was unmarked and the Van Horn Family was all moved to a cemetery but her bones. Although Melinda was a sweet harmless ghost many people feared her as one man almost fell off a roof, another guy swerved on the road seeing her and children who once lived there in the 1950s could not sleep in one of the mansions rooms. There is even a sign on the property which talks about the ghost of the Van Horn Mansion.

Now you ask me what compelled me to visit this place? Well simple many groups that deal with the paranormal visit hit yearly some even stay the night. But very few have actually evidence that the Van Horns spend there afterlife here. So what I have done is talked to the Van Horns and now can preserve them forever as they were very friendly entities and had no problem showing up in any of my photos. I heard so much about this place over the years about how haunted it is, beautiful and mysterious, how others visit here and have experiences. So finally a milestone has been achieved we visited it, we captured real apparitions and we brought you a story on this place. A lot of people misunderstand ghost and entities such as the sign on the property is really contradictive there are still ghost at the mansion is it the Van Horns? Quite possibly? Is it still there house? Yes! The mansion is well kept by the historical society and is very beautiful inside and outside this has made the spirits there quite happy so I am blessed to have the opportunity to share this place with people around the world.

© By

Rick-AngelOfThyNight

The history of the Van Horn family in Newfane began in 1811 when James Van Horn built the first grist mill along Eighteen mile Creek in Burt near the site of the present Burt Dam. The mill didn't last too long, however, as it was burned by the British during the War of 1812.

James rebuilt the grist and saw mill at the same location in 1817. In 1819, the family moved to a log cabin along the shores of the creek.

In 1823, James finished building a huge brick house, the Van Horn Mansion, across the street from the log cabin, and the family enjoyed moving in and filling the large rooms. At the same time, James also built a store and distillery. He was so proud of his mansion he hosted the first town meeting there on April 6, 1824.

Another fire destroyed the mill in 1839, but James rebuilt it in a year, then proceeded to build the Van Horn Woolen factory a mile south of the mill. This was completed in 1842. Ten years later, his two sons assumed control of some of the property, with James Jr. taking over the mill and Burt taking over the house and farm. The hamlet of Burt is named after Burt Van Horn.

In 1881, Burt Jr. and his brother, Willis Van Horn, operated a fruit farm of 344 acres. Burt Jr. lived in the brick house, and Willis lived in Suspension Bridge, NY, where their cold storage was located.

Burt Jr. remodeled the mansion in 1900, building an addition and installing the leaded stained glass dome on top. The house was sold in 1910 and passed through various hands. It became Green Acres Restaurant in 1949, and was purchased by the Howard Fitzgerald family in 1954. Fitzgerald said the years living at Green Acres were the happiest of his memory, and his children enjoyed running up and down the staircases and playing outside with their pony.

The mansion was sold and converted into apartments in 1959, then sat vacant from 1967 to 1970, when it was vandalized and had doors and windows broken. In 1972 it was purchased and used as a residence for several years. Noury Chemical bought the house in 1977 and it sat vacant again.

In 1987, Noury donated the mansion to the Newfane Historical Society.

The Historical Society is restoring the mansion to its former grandeur with volunteer help. For many people in the community, it has become a labor of love. Organizations and individuals have donated their time and money on the project. With the help of the people of Newfane, the beautiful Van Horn mansion will continue to grace our community well into the 21st century.