The investigations of the Strauss mansion. Benefiting food Bank of New Jersey

Perched on a hill above New York Harbor in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, the Strauss Mansion invites guests into three floors of Victorian shadow-play and history. The evening investigation begins at 27 Prospect Circle, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716, where a trustee meets your group and lays out the house’s documented past and the night’s plan. Built in 1893 by a New York City merchant as a summer house, this 21-room Victorian retains original woodwork, plaster molding and a Tower Room with bay views.

The property sits on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places, and its layers of architecture create narrow corners, long hallways and a basement that investigators describe as acoustically charged—features that feed the kinds of phenomena reported here. Investigations at Strauss Mansion mix hands-on paranormal techniques with historic context. Hosts run a short “ghost hunting 101” before touring the house and demonstrating professional gear — K2 meters, REM pods, shadow detectors and voice-recording setups — then invite participants to run experiments and free-roam.

Reported incidents include confirmed deaths in the house, shadow figures on cameras, EVPs captured on recorders, unexplained footsteps, and items moving on their own. You’ll have the chance to observe security camera footage, operate ITC equipment and test your own hypothesis in rooms that range from a formal library to the narrow Tower Room and the low-ceilinged basement. The event is designed for adults only (18+), tailored to small groups (up to 12) and runs roughly six hours, giving time for both guided segments and independent investigation.

Practical packing includes closed-toe shoes, a flashlight or phone (airplane mode requested), water and snacks; bringing your own equipment is welcome. No alcoholic beverages are permitted on-site. What makes Strauss Mansion a standout in the region is the convergence of preserved historic fabric and active investigative work.

Unlike staged attractions, this is a registered historic property where trustees and investigators balance preservation with public access. The house’s hilltop siting frames harbor views while also amplifying ordinary noises into something uncanny; that interplay of place and history is part of its appeal. Whether you come searching for evidence or simply crave an atmospheric night in a genuine Victorian landmark, the Strauss Mansion investigation offers an unusual way to experience Atlantic Highlands’ history — and to support a cause, since specific events benefit the Food Bank of New Jersey.

Expect creaking floors, narrow staircases and the smell of old wood; those physical details often trigger both equipment responses and visitor imagination. Participants are asked to respect fragile interiors and follow trustees’ guidance so preservation isn’t compromised. The event combines sincere historical stewardship with investigative curiosity, making it a rare public offering where conservation and the unexplained intersect.