The Terrifying Truth About Connecticut's Zaffis Paranormal Museum

John Zaffis, the nephew of Ed and Lorraine Warren—two of the most well-known figures in paranormal investigation—has carved out his own niche in the world of the unexplained. Over the years, he's built a reputation for himself, especially with his Museum of the Paranormal, located in a two-story building behind his house in Stratford, Connecticut.

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The museum is home to a fascinating—and sometimes chilling—collection of items from Zaffis' decades of paranormal research. Some of the objects come from cases he’s worked on, while others have been handed over by other investigators or even people just looking to rid their homes of “haunted” items. The collection is incredibly diverse, featuring everything from a seemingly innocent China set and a painting of a clown on velvet, to much darker and more unsettling pieces like tribal masks and a ventriloquist dummy that may give anyone the creeps.

Youtube - Brian J. Cano

According to Atlas Obscura, each item in the museum is said to be cleansed before it’s displayed, though that doesn’t mean it’s lost any of its potentially disturbing energy. Among the most intriguing pieces are a black, cast-iron human skull found hidden in a secret compartment in the home of a political family, a black idol reportedly used in dark magic rituals, and a sword believed to have been involved in Satanic ceremonies.

Youtube - Brian J. Cano

Zaffis’ museum gives an unsettling look at the world of paranormal investigation, showcasing objects that are tied to some of the most bizarre and disturbing experiences he’s encountered over the years. Whether you're a skeptic or a true believer, stepping into the museum is like entering a world where the line between the natural and supernatural is much thinner than you'd ever expect.

I don't consider myself to be scared of a lot of things but put me down for creepy dolls possibly possessed by demons, oh and clowns. I hate them both and I don't play around with any of that. A few years back there was a local Connecticut event where you could get up close and personal with the Annabelle doll, People kept asking me if I wanted to go and the answer was a definitive no.

I've made a lot of dumb decisions in my life, but you'll never see me in a room with that thing.

Historic and Eerie: Exploring the Secrets of Connecticut’s Seaside Sanatorium

Connecticut's Seaside Sanatorium is one of many historic structures in America that once housed the ill but are now fading into obscurity. While there are plans to save the building, years of litigation and disagreement have delayed progress. For now, it stands as a haunting reminder of a darker period in American medicine. Some may refer to it as a less enlightened era. Here’s a glimpse inside the walls of Seaside and a brief history from its beginnings to the present day.

Gallery Credit: Louis Milano