Camden’s historic home residents declare spirit-free zone

Owners of Camden’s historic homes have declared they are a spirit-free zone, denying any presence of supernatural activity.

Photographer Belinda Cruikshank has photographed what appears to be a spirit, though owners of Camden’s historic homes deny paranormal activity. (AAP Image / Angelo Velardo)

Owners of Camden’s historic homes have declared they are a spirit-free zone, denying any presence of supernatural activity.

Social media buzzed after a zoomed-in mobile phone image indicated a spirit stuck in the top floor of the historic Nepean House.

Camden’s Nepean House, built in 1857. Picture: Bob Barker.

Long-time resident Glenda Davis said she she had heard the paranormal rumours, but had never experienced any signof the supernatural.

“We have been here for a very long time and I have never seen any paranormal activity ever,” she said. “There have been stories in the past of ghosts trapped on the veranda, but I have never personally experienced it. It’s just that sort of house which prompts the imagination.”

Ghost-hunters regularly frequent the famous Studley Park House in Camden.

The picturesque Nepean House was built in about 1857, with stunning colonial features.

Photographer Belinda Cruickshank, drawn to the historic charm of the property, said she was gobsmacked to see the “spirit”.

“I was quite shocked,” she said. “The experience does stick in your mind, believe me. I took a photo from across the street and for some reason felt compelled to zoom in.”

Photographer Belinda Cruikshank’s photo indicated a spirit in the top storey of Nepean House. (AAP Image / Angelo Velardo)

Ms Cruickshank said a number of friends confirmed the spirit, along with a chorus of approval on Facebook.

“I didn’t expect to get that much attention but it made me believe in myself,” she said. “It has been confirmed I am a person which attracts spirits. I am their rescuer of trapped spirits which need to be sent to the light.”

John Michael Burdon and his brother Trever Burdon campaigning for a haunted horror movie to be shot inCampbelltown’s Town Hall Theatre. Photographer: Adam Yip

With a number of historic homes throughout Camden, Ms Cruickshank said she expected more spirits to roam throughout the town

“From what I have read and my experiences, I think the older homes in Camden will generally have the older spirits, escpecially with what I have discovered about Camden history,” she said.

Ms Davis said she understood the interest in her heritage home although it was at times unsettling.

Photographer Belinda Cruikshank said she expects more spirits throughout Camden’s older homes . (AAP Image / Angelo Velardo)

“It does give you a funny feeling with people speculating on paranormal activity in your home, but it is not an everyday occurrence,” she said. “We have had a few people think it is a public house and believe they can walk around but it doesn’t really worry us. We are happy to share.”

Paranormal activity has long been reported throughout the region, with a teenage girl trapped at Macquarie Fields Station in the 1800s sparking speculation it is haunted. Picton’s Mushroom Tunnel and even Camden Council’s old Macaria building are also said to house spirits.

Studley Park House at Camden on Sydney's outskirts is the subject of a documentary on Australia's Most haunted locations.

STUDLEY PARK HORRORS

Camden’s famous Studley Park House, built in 1889, has been the target of aggressive ghost-hunters, despite its occupants never seeing paranormal activity.

The former location of Studley Park Ghost Tours, is now a private residence but intruders armed with flick knives, pinch bars, crowbars, pliers and cutters are regularly stealing valuables and damaging the property.

It is believed Macquarie Fields station is haunted with screams and moans heard late at night.

A resident of the historic property, who wishes to be unnamed, said the search for paranormal activity had escalated to a ridiculous extent.

“I can’t speak for all of them, but plenty of them are trying to find ghosts,” he said.

“In my opinion, there are no such thing. We have never seen one at my home in the past five years.”

Trespassers have scaled balconies, threatened family members and stolen barbecues with Camden police regularly monitoring the property.

The impressive Studley Park House in Camden.

“Camden police are great and here at the drop of a hat,” the resident said.

“You do feel threatened. There is no reason for anyone to be here, as there are no such thing as ghosts.”

He pleas for the trespassers to leave the property alone.

“Just leave us alone, just leave us alone,” he said. “For anyone in these historic houses, it's the house which suffers, its reputation suffers and the residents suffer.”