Welcome to Haunted Rhode Island
Head up Round Top Road in Burrillville, RI, less than an hour from Providence in the northwest corner of the state, and you’ll find one of the most famous haunted
houses around. Also known as the Old Arnold Estate, the Conjuring House has been home to families in both life and death since the early 1700s.
The house gained global attention after the release of the 2013 horror movie The Conjuring, and as the film’s popularity grew, so did the house’s notoriety. These
days, you can visit the home and have any number of experiences there, including tours, camping, and even paranormal investigations. It’s the perfect place to visit any time of year, but especially during the Halloween season.
The Early History of the Conjuring House
Built around 1736 as part of a 200-acre property, this authentic Colonial-era home was originally owned by the Arnold family. From the very beginning, the
house was steeped in tragedy. Over the years, it was reportedly the site of numerous deaths, including drownings, hangings, and even some deaths caused
by mysterious circumstances. It was here that the legends of the house first started and began to grow. One of the earliest and most notorious spirits associated with the house is that of Bathsheba Sherman. She lived in the area during the 19th century, and according to local lore, Bathsheba was a practicing witch who sacrificed her own child to the devil. Though there is no proof of these claims, her spirit is believed by many to be one of the most malevolent entities in the house.
The Perron Family
In December of 1970, Roger and Carolyn Perron, along with their five daughters, moved into the historical home. Almost immediately, they began experiencing
unexplainable and terrifying occurrences. The family reported a variety of paranormal occurrences, including doors opening and closing on their own, the
sounds of mysterious voices, and objects moving by themselves. The disturbances ranged from harmless to violent, with some family members
reportedly being pushed, slapped, or even attacked by unseen forces. Carolyn Perron, in particular, seemed to be the focus of much of the paranormal
attention. She claimed to have seen the ghostly figure of a woman whom she believed to be Bathsheba Sherman. The apparition was often accompanied by a
foul odor and a deep sense of dread. According to Carolyn, the spirit would threaten her and her family, demanding that they leave the property.
As the hauntings got worse, the Perrons reached out to Ed and Lorraine Warren, a husband-and-wife team of paranormal investigators. The Warrens visited the
house several times and conducted investigations, concluding that the property was indeed haunted by several spirits, with Bathsheba being the most
dangerous. They attempted to cleanse the house through a series of rituals, but despite their efforts, the paranormal activity reportedly continued until the
Perrons moved out in 1980.
The Conjuring Movie and its Impact
After years of local and regional fame, the Old Arnold Estate became more widely known to the public after the release of The Conjuring, a 2013 horror film
directed by James Wan. The film portrays a dramatized version of the Perron family’s experiences, focusing on the Warrens’ efforts to purge the house of its
malevolent spirits. The movie made over $300 million at the box office, and following its success, interest in the house surged, with paranormal enthusiasts, ghost hunters, and fans of the film flocking to Burrillville. However, the increased attention also brought challenges, including trespassing and unwanted disturbances for the
owners of the property.
The Conjuring House Today
In 2019, the Conjuring House was purchased by Cory and Jennifer Heinzen, who have a passion for the paranormal and are even paranormal investigators
themselves. They’ve opened the house to the public for tours and overnight stays, allowing visitors to explore the property and potentially experience the
spooky happenings firsthand. Their goal has been to maintain the house’s historical integrity while also sharing its haunted legacy with others.
Visiting the Conjuring House is an unforgettable experience. Even if one of the ghostly residents doesn’t make an appearance, the history of the home and the
area is worth the price of admission. The address is 1677 Round Top Rd in Burrillville, RI. Experiences range in price from $20 for a tour to $960 for an
overnight paranormal investigation for up to 12 people. Parking is available onsite and hours vary by experience, with tours starting in the late morning and
going into the afternoon.
