Some people define “ghost” and “spirit” differently.   Find out as our night time walking tour of Lily Dale begins at the  Auditorium.  We will begin with a brief overview of Spiritualism and the unseen realms.  A brief history of how Lily Dale got started, and how it rapidly grew to become the world’s largest center for the religion of Spiritualism get’s us started.  We will walk past many of the old “haunts” of Lily Dale.  At the Healing Temple “spirit lights” have been caught on film as the healers work, channeling spirit help to those in need.  We’ll stop by our historic museum, once a one room schoolhouse.  There are paintings which have been precipitated onto canvas by unseen hands.

As we walk by the entrance gate to the present grounds, you will notice the original site where the first summer meetings took place.  This is now called the Leolyn Hotel, and ghosts of the past still linger there.  It is now again part of present day Lily Dale, but many overlook this special place.  The Leolyn Woods is a rare gem of remaining “old growth” forest in New York State.   Many of its ancient trees were seedlings before the white man walked this land.  The spirits of Native Americans still come to touch some of those who walk through this area.  In the woods is an energy “vortex” called Inspiration Stump.  We’ll linger at this location at the end of our walk, to sense the presence of Spirit.

If rainy, be sure to bring an umbrella.  The rain won’t “dampen our spirits”.  If it is pouring out, our tour will end in Assembly Hall, where the Spirits have helped seekers almost as many years as at the “Stump”.  The tour requires about an hour of walking and some stair climbing.  Those with any handicapped restrictions are welcome to attend as best they can.  We encourage you to have your own transportation.

All of your Spirit Walk hosts are familiar with Lily Dale and its “haunts”.  Each has a special love for “the Dale” and its history.  No two tours are alike.  While there is never a guarantee that you’ll see a ghost or sense a Spirit, you’re sure to gain a better understanding of them and of Lily Dale.

These are not GHOST HUNTS! The purpose is SPIRIT AWARENESS.

The beginning of Lily Dale Assembly seemed a good place to stop writing this book. Another new era was beginning–quite possibly a much more interesting and controversial one. The “Hey Days” of Spiritualism began to subside, mental Mediumship grew stronger, seances were monitored and Mediums began to be officially tested. In 1925 Lily Dale Assembly dissolved the Stock Corporation and became a Membership Corporation. Many well known and flamboyant mediums and speakers continued to serve the Platform in the Auditorium, Inspiration Stump and Forest Temple. There were good times and lean times. There were several exciting “Tipping Points.” Today as in the beginning Lily Dale adheres to the Principles of Spiritualism—the pillar of strength it will survive with. The Author intends to continue the history with a second book tentatively called The Spirits of Lily Dale—Courage and Determination. That book will span 1907 into the 1980′s.A short summary of today’s Lily Dale. Many families reside here year round in the same houses our pioneers lived in. Fitted with modern amenities-quite comfortable. The children go to school several miles away at Cassadaga Valley Central School. The atmosphere is quiet. The pace much slower. The towering trees of the Leolyn Woods are much as they were in 1898-the second oldest natural growth forest in the State of New York.As the pioneers pass on and the years go by other individuals have stepped in to fill the void. Summer Camp now runs from the last Friday in June to the day before Labor Day. Some workshops continue into September. During Camp Season there is a Gate fee for adults. Approx. 40 Registered Mediums have signs on their houses who give private readings for a fee. Outside readings are free at 1:00 and 5:30 at the Inspiration Stump in the Leolyn Woods and 4:00 at the Forest Temple. Church Services are Daily in the Auditorium at 2:30. The Museum-across from the Healing Temple is open 11:00-4:00 daily. Healing services are held in the Healing Temple at various times daily.Examples of some activities and workshops are: meditation, yoga, history tours, astrology, sweat lodge, drumming, healing, spirit walks, mediumship development and Reiki. Many workshops—New Age and Old Age—something for everyone. Usually 100 workshops. The Lily Dale Assembly can be reached at 716-595-8721 or www.lilydaleassembly.com

The Author can be reached at ronnagylilydale@gmail.com or his web site www.ronnagy.net