Catlin House

A Victorian mansion in Scranton that serves as headquarters for the Lackawanna Historical Society. It preserves the region's coal mining heritage and keeps the area's history alive.

The Catlin House was built in 1912 for George and Helen Catlin, designed by renowned Scranton architect Edward Langley. George Catlin was a lawyer in New York City before moving to Scranton in 1870 during the city's boom era, switching from law to finance. His first wife Mary Woodrow Archbald died, and after marrying Helen, they built this impressive house where they hosted many parties. George never had children and died in the house on June 8, 1935, at age 90 from a brief illness. The Lackawanna Historical Society, founded in 1886, has been housed in the Catlin House since the 1940s, surrounded by the University of Scranton campus.

Some believe the home is haunted because of all the historical items now stored there, carrying echoes of their previous owners. Members of the historical society have experienced uneasy feelings and sightings of full-body figures throughout the entire building, from basement to third floor. Paranormal researchers have investigated and captured Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP), including a voice interpreted as saying "a horse length...this one goes first" and another saying "I'll let you know" when asked to speak.

The Lackawanna Historical Society hosts their popular Scranton After Dark ghost tours in October, meeting at the Catlin House at 232 Monroe Avenue. Visitors are encouraged to take note if they sense anything unusual -- the Catlin family, or whoever else is hanging around, may not have left.