New York State Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito today announced that the annual Capitol Hauntings tours will be offered online this year in three new videos that will be available for viewing through OGS’s Virtual Visit program at empirestateplaza.ny.gov/virtual-visit.

The Capitol Hauntings videos, exploring the legends, folklore, and tales of unexplained occurrences connected to the historic state Capitol, will make their debut at 1 p.m. on each of the next three Thursdays leading up to Halloween. After their premiere, the videos will remain available for people to view online.

“The OGS team could not let the Halloween season pass us by without offering the public a special version of one our most popular themed tours of the Capitol,” Commissioner Destito said. “Combining history with tales of the supernatural, these online virtual visits to the Capitol will explore the ‘Fire of 1911,’ the ‘Creepy Capitol Carvings,’ and ‘Legends of the Capitol Halls.’ These are terrific, fun tours filled with interesting facts, and this year, people will be able to press pause if they get too scared.”

With physical tours suspended until further notice, the OGS Virtual Visit program offers educational videos in support of social distancing and staying safe. The videos give people opportunities to “visit” and learn about the New York State Capitol and Empire State Plaza’s rich history, great art, and stunning architecture.

Capitol Hauntings Tour Online Premiere Schedule:

Virtual Visit Tour Part 1: The Fire of 1911 – 1 p.m., Thursday, October 15

On March 29, 1911, a tragic fire swept through the New York State Capitol, which housed the New York State Library. This virtual tour will explore the fire and its aftermath and how it contributed to stories of unexplained occurrences in the years after. Find out what survived from the New York State Library and learn about the fate of the night watchman who patrolled the statehouse on that tragic night.

Virtual Visit Tour Part 2: Creepy Capitol Carvings – 1 p.m., Thursday, October 22,

The New York State Capitol is known for its intricate hand-carved detail completed by hundreds of stone carvers throughout the building’s 32 years of construction. In this tour, people will discover the inspiration behind some of the carvings, the differences between grotesques and gargoyles, and the mystery behind the carved “secret demon” hidden among the walls.

Virtual Visit Tour Part 3: Legends of the Capitol Halls – 1 p.m., Thursday, October 29

With its castle-like architecture and gothic stone carvings, the New York State Capitol is the picture-perfect setting for a scary story. Throughout the years, Capitol employees and visitors have reported unexplained occurrences throughout the building. This tour will focus on the legends and lore of the Capitol — including the two U.S. presidents who visited after their deaths.

Each Capitol Hauntings Virtual Visit lasts about five minutes, but the chilling, ghostly tales might haunt you forever.

To watch the Capitol Hauntings and other Virtual Visit videos, go to empirestateplaza.ny.gov/virtual-visit and follow us at @NYSCapitolVisit on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or @PlazaArtCollection on Instagram.