- Ed and Lorraine Warren opened their museum of the occult in 1952.
- Sadly, the museum has been closed to the public since 2019.
- Ed and Lorraine’s most famous investigations were the inspiration for “The Conjuring” franchise.
- Ed and Lorraine were the co-founders of the New England Society for Psychic Research.
Ed and Lorraine Warren were renowned American paranormal investigators, celebrated for their decades-long crusade into the realm of the supernatural. Born in 1926 and 1927, respectively, Ed and Lorraine dedicated their lives to researching and documenting cases of hauntings, demonic possessions, and other unexplained phenomena. Their work gained widespread recognition and inspired popular movies like “The Conjuring” franchise. The couple co-founded the New England Society for Psychic Research, and their investigations spanned countless chilling encounters with the paranormal, leaving an permanent mark on the field of ghost hunting. While some lauded their contributions, skeptics remained skeptical. Nevertheless, the Warrens’ legacy endures, impacting both believers and skeptics in the ever-mysterious world of the supernatural. Peer into the world of Ed and Lorraine Warren with these incredible house photos below!
Where Did Ed and Lorraine Warren Live?
Ed and Lorraine Warren lived in their longtime residence in the small town Monroe, Connecticut. The couple reportedly purchased the home back in the early 50s and created one of the most renowned collections of paranormal objects – right in their basement!
Ed and Lorraine Warren House Monroe, CT (Former)
Ed and Lorraine Warren House Monroe, CT (Former)
Nestled in the trees of an unassuming neighborhood in Monroe, CT – the longtime home of Ed and Lorraine Warren looks like any other normal single family residence in the area. What you’ll find inside, however, is far from normal!
Seriously, while most people try to avoid moving into a haunted house, the Warrens created their own haunted museum!
Unfortunately, since the couple purchased the home in the early 50s, there’s pretty much no photos of the main living areas of the 4 bedroom and 2 bathroom home. What is available publicly though is a plethora of photos from the 2,544 square foot home’s basement – aka the former Ed and Lorraine Warren Museum of the Occult!
Packed to the brim with supposed haunted or cursed items, this place is sure to bring a chill down your spine!
The home was built in 1947 and the Warrens opened their own small museum of the macabre there way back in 1952. Since then, people from all over the world have flocked to the home in hopes of getting a glimpse at their haunted collection.
Some props were added as décor to enhance the spooky setting of the old basement, but other items, like the real tiger skin pictured below, are part of the collection. In this case, the tiger from whom this skin was taken was believed to be possessed after it killed 33 people in India.
In the extensive collection, there is also what has been nicknamed the “Pearls of Death,” which once allegedly strangled the woman who originally owned them.
They were given to her, and upon putting the pearls on her neck, she reported feeling as though she was being choked. Those around her had to forcefully yank the pearls from her neck to save her.
Many of the items found at the museum were donated, like the “Conjuring Mirror.” In this instance, the mirror was used as part of a “Psychomanteum” or a room used for trying to communicate with spirits.
A man spent hours, for around two weeks, speaking to the mirror in an attempt to communicate with a deceased loved one. When he visited the mirror one night, however, he allegedly saw monstrous faces within the mirror that frightened him so badly he ended up being hospitalized. His family donated the mirror to the Warrens after his hospitalization.
Another donated item was this allegedly haunted organ that was taken from the home of Rev. Eliakim Phelps of Stratford, CT. Upon bringing back to the museum, Ed Warren said that he would frequently hear the organ playing on its own. When he would go to investigate the sound, however, the organ would stop playing.
Ed would go on to have the museum blessed and the organ would stop its late night melodies. Blessings are commonly carried out at the home at least every 2-3 months to ensure the items can pose no harm.
Finally, what tour of the Ed and Lorraine Warren museum would be complete without the infamous doll “Annabelle” which has inspired multiple horror films over the years.
The real Annabelle is far different in appearance from her creepy porcelain movie counterpart. In reality, she is actually a Raggedy Anne doll!
As the story goes, there were two women living together in an apartment in Hartford, CT in 1970. One of the women was gifted a doll by her mother, likely purchased from a thrift store, and strange things started to occur in the apartment thereafter.
The women reported that the doll frequently moved locations in the home – she would be left in the living room and somehow end up in one of the women’s bedrooms when they returned home. The doll would also often change sitting positions so that her legs, which were naturally apart, would somehow manage to cross themselves.
As time passed, the paranormal happenings within the apartment went from strange to downright terrifying. In another instance, the women returned home to find parchment (which they didn’t own) scattered around the apartment with the words “help me” written in crayon.
After seeing the dolls arms levitate one morning during breakfast, however, they decided to call a psychic. Upon investigating the home, the psychic alleged that the doll was possessed by a little girl around 6-7, named Annabelle, that had died in a car accident just outside of the apartment where they lived.
The supernatural events inside the unit would come to a head when one of the women’s fiancés was attacked. The man threw the doll across the room following a nightmare in which she was strangling him and verbally belittled the toy. In turn, he would sustain 7 gashes along his torso and chest.
Fearing that the doll was possessed by a demon, the women called a local priest, who would himself contact the Warrens for help. Ed and Lorraine would have the apartment exorcised and remove the doll the unit. Ed allegedly experienced strange car issues as he drove Annabelle to her new home in their museum.
These gloves (pictured below) are reportedly mandatory when handling the doll!
As of 2023, the home and former museum are owned by Ed and Lorraine’s daughter, Judy, as well as her husband, Tony Spera. Tony himself is also a paranormal researcher.
Why Is Ed and Lorraine Warren Museum Closed?
Around 2019, the Ed and Lorraine Warren museum was forced to close its doors to the public as it was not commercially zoned. Since there were so many visitors to the museum at any given time, it created a lot of issues for the neighbors.
You can imagine this was especially true after “The Conjuring” films were released.
While you sadly can’t visit the Warren house and see the original museum in all its glory, Tony Spera has been known to bring objects to various conventions for fans to view, including Annabelle!
Who Are Ed and Lorraine Warren?
Ed and Lorraine Warren were celebrated American paranormal investigators renowned for their extensive work in the supernatural realm. They began their journey in the 1950s, initially driven by Ed’s fascination with the paranormal and Lorraine’s psychic abilities.
Their investigations ranged from haunted houses to demonic possessions, amassing a trove of documented cases over decades. They founded the New England Society for Psychic Research to formalize their efforts.
Their fame soared with cases like the Amityville Horror, inspiring books and movies. Despite skepticism, the Warrens were influential in shaping the field of paranormal research and remain prominent figures in ghost hunting.
Ed and Lorraine Warren Investigations
Ed and Lorraine Warren conducted numerous investigations during their paranormal careers. Perhaps their most iconic case was the Amityville Horror, where they probed a Long Island home allegedly plagued by sinister forces, inspiring a book and film franchise.
Another notable investigation was the Perron family haunting in Harrisville, Rhode Island, which served as the basis for “The Conjuring” movie.
Their work on the Smurl haunting in Pennsylvania, involving a family tormented by malevolent entities, also garnered significant attention. These cases, among many others, solidified the Warrens’ reputation as the foremost investigators of supernatural phenomena, captivating audiences worldwide.
For those interested in a closer look at the Amityville Horror house, VR has all you need here!
Books By Ed and Lorraine Warren
Ed and Lorraine Warren co-authored several books about their paranormal investigations and experiences. Some of their notable books include:
“The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Lorraine Warren” – This book provides an overview of their work and many of their case studies.
“The Haunted: One Family’s Nightmare” – This book tells the story of the Perron family’s haunting, which served as the basis for the film “The Conjuring.”
“Graveyard: True Hauntings from an Old New England Cemetery” – This book explores various supernatural encounters in a New England cemetery.
“Ghost Hunters: True Stories from the World’s Most Famous Demonologists” – This book delves into some of their most famous cases.
“Werewolf: A True Story of Demonic Possession” – In this book, the Warrens investigate a case of alleged demonic possession that led to the belief in a werewolf curse.
“In a Dark Place: The Story of a True Haunting” – Co-authored with Carmen Reed, this book recounts a terrifying haunting experienced by the Reed family.
These books provide insights into the Warrens’ work and the cases they investigated throughout their careers.
Movies About Ed and Lorraine Warren
The legacy of Ed and Lorraine Warren has had a profound impact on the world of cinema, inspiring a string of successful horror films. Their most famous case, the Amityville Horror, was adapted into multiple movies, the first of which, released in 1979, became a cult classic.
However, it was the Conjuring universe that truly propelled the Warrens into cinematic stardom. “The Conjuring” (2013) and its sequels explored various Warren cases, including the Perron family haunting and the Enfield Poltergeist.
Spin-offs like “Annabelle” and “The Nun” further expanded the franchise. These films not only terrified audiences but also elevated Ed and Lorraine Warren’s reputation as paranormal investigators, forever linking their names to the world of horror cinema.
How Did Ed and Lorraine Warren Meet?
Lorraine met her husband-to-be when the pair were still in their mid-teens. At the time, he was working as an usher at a local theater that Lorraine frequented. Later in life, Lorraine would say that she psychically knew Ed would be the man she would marry.
They would wed in 1946 and would spend the rest of their lives as husband and wife.
Ed and Lorraine Warren Children
Ed and Lorraine shared one child, Judy Warren, that was born January 11, 1946. Judy currently owns her parents’ famous home and is 77 years old as of 2023.
Are Ed and Lorraine Warren Still Alive?
No, both Ed and Lorraine Warren are deceased. Ed Warren passed away on August 23, 2006 at the age of 79 in his home in Monroe, CT. He had suffered heart failure in 2001, but paramedics were able to resuscitate. Despite little hope for recovery and spending 11 weeks in a coma, Ed did survive. Unfortunately, his health continued to deteriorate over the years, leading to his death.
Lorraine Warren passed away in her sleep at the Monroe, CT home she shared with Ed (also where Ed passed) on April 18, 2019. She was 92 years of age.
Sources
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0912933/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/paranormal-investigator-lorraine-warren-has-passed-away-at-92/
https://thecinemaholic.com/ed-and-lorraine-warren-deaths-when-and-how-did-they-die/
https://www.tuko.co.ke/facts-lifehacks/473294-why-ed-lorraine-warren-museum-closed-details/
https://ew.com/gallery/conjuring-real-story-pictures/?slide=406695#406695
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/grave-of-ed-lorraine-warren