New Mexico's Haunted Herzstein Memorial Museum

Herzstein Memorial Museum. Source: Clayton-Union County Chamber of Commerce

In October 2018, the New Mexico Department of Tourism proclaimed the town of Clayton to be the most haunted city in the entire state. Along with Union County Courthouse and the Hotel Eklund, the Herzstein Memorial Museum is listed as a spooky example of why Clayton is New Mexico's Most Haunted City.

The Herzstein Memorial Museum is housed in a beautiful old building, dating back to 1919. It began its life as a Methodist Church, but also served as skating rink, a bowling alley and a library. The Museum gets its name from Albert Herzstein, whose foundation paid for extensive renovations and restoration of the building in 1987. Albert was the son of pioneers; his parents built the first cinema in Clayton, New Mexico in addition to operating a successful mercantile business. 

To honor the Herzstein family, one whole exhibit in the museum is dedicated to all the interesting treasures and artifacts they collected from their travels around the world. Other exhibits deal with the Santa Fe Trail, Native Americans, the Dust Bowl, and other aspects of New Mexico history.

With so many different artifacts and with a building used for so many different purposes, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly who or what is causing the hauntings. However, museum staff feel that the main ghost to call the Herzstein home is 'a sassy older lady.' 

In 2015, a ghost hunting group claims to have caught the apparition of a woman in white on video. Executive Director of the museum, Victoria Baker, has also noted that the sound of disembodied high-heeled footsteps have heard in the kitchen area. 

Subsequent paranormal investigations have produced an EVP of a little boy's voice in a back bedroom area, poltergeist activity, and strange noises throughout the museum, including a rattling noise on or near the staircase. Quite a few videos exist on YouTube from various ghost hunting groups sharing their Hertzstein evidence, but you can view the 2015 apparition photo right from the local Chamber of Commerce's website! 

Clayton, New Mexico is embracing its haunted history and living up to its reputation as New Mexico's most haunted city.  If you're in the area, make sure to include a stop at the Herzstein Memorial Museum. You'll learn about the early history of New Mexico, and you might even catch a glimpse of a sassy older lady from the early 20th century!

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