Herlong Mansion
November 20, 2004: It is reported that Mae's Room is the most haunted room at the Herlong Mansion in Micanopy, Florida. Guests have reported seeing apparitions floating through the room, hearing doors open and close, and sensing a presence.
After only the first 5 minutes in Mae's room, the spirit (whether it be Mae, or Inez as some seem to believe) made its presence known. In the bathroom inside Mae's room the overwhelming scent of a spicy, rose-type perfume materialized from out of nowhere and lingered for well over 3 or 4 minutes. I looked all over for maybe a basket of pot-pourri or an odor dispenser; but there was none.
Later in the evening, I set up the infrared video camera to tape record while we went out to eat. After just over 4 minutes, the camera recorded a couple of ghostly orbs streaking through the room. Upon our return, I took some still photos using my digital camera and captured a small orb in the dining room and one in the living room area. Afterwards, no other paranormal activity was recorded and nothing else out of the ordinary happened for the rest of the night.
The next morning during breakfast we sat with a couple of school teachers who were staying in Pink's room right next to Mae's room. They told us that they had also smelled the same spicy, rose-type perfume in Mae's bathroom prior to our arrival when they were touring the mansion. I have since found other documented accounts of a distinctive perfume being encountered in Mae's room before. When I spoke to one of the current owners (Linda), she told me that she has received many inquires from others asking what the wonderful smell was up in Mae's room. She again assured me that no pot-pourri or odor dispensers are used in the house.
Since the owners have given Mae's room a makeover earlier in the year, it is said that the hauntings have subsided. However, based on our visit, the Herlong Mansion appears to still be home to a ghost or spirit.
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