Julia staab, the central character in american ghost. Julia was born in germany, but she married a man from her hometown whod struck it rich supplying settlers and soldiers in the new mexico territory. He and his wife julia built the mansion together, decorating it with european materials and furnishings. It belonged to abraham and julia staab, who emigrated from germany in the midnineteenth century. Housed in a historic 19thcentury mansion, the staab house serves signature cocktails, created by a team of master mixologists, and standout bar fare. German immigrant julia schuster staab, in this unique collision of. Her greatgreatgranddaughter sets out to find truths behind her legend. Julias life and family tidbits that were hidden in family keepsake books or. Abraham stabb had the mansion built for his wife, julia schuster, who he brought to santa fe from germany. Her new book, american ghost, is mix of memoir, cultural history. Sante fes most famous ghost is hannah nordhaus greatgreatgrandmother. Everyone loves a good ghost story, which is why, i suppose, that some readers have been disappointed with american ghost. The ghost of julia staab the shade that haunts santa fes.
Legend has it a heartbroken woman haunts the property that was once her home, grieving for the baby she. Her new book, american ghost, is mix of memoir, cultural. Distant cousins have sent me family photos of julia s siblings and nieces and nephews. Born in lugde, a small town in northern germany, julia, 21, was brought to santa fe in about 1865 as the bride of abraham staab, 26. In part, the book is the authors quest to find out if the rumors about julias ghost are true. In this intriguing book, nordhaus shares her journey to discover who her immigrant ancestor. Not everyone gets to have a famous ghost in their ancestry.
The structure was the center of society with julia the hostess of parties that were attended by men like president rutherford hayes, general sherman and governor lew wallace. A familys haunted past in the desert southwest hannah nordhaus. And strange noises and unexplained movements stir in the pera building basement. Julia staabs bedchamber, where she spent the last days of her life, and where she died, is now suite 100 in the hotel. I talked to nordhaus about american ghost, the book that resulted. The reader is struck by the bravery and inner fortitude of julia and other mailorder brides who followed similar paths. Julia staab, who died in her santa fe home in 1896. American ghost book by greatgreatgranddaughter of julia staab. In addition, youll receive a copy of american ghost, a familys haunted past in the desert southwest, a book about julia staab written by her greatgreatgranddaughter, hannah nordhaus. These fake journalists, writers, talking heads are clueless and have served the public tripe.
Yes when tripe is served allan will yell out tripe. The mansion was built in 1882 by an old santa fe trail merchant. Within its beautiful landscaped grounds and fountains sits the hotels centerpiece, the staab house, a victorian mansion built by an old santa fe trail merchant in 1882. American ghost by hannah nordhaus the boston globe.
Oct 30, 20 living in new mexico, i have heard about julia staabs ghost for many years. American ghost is a multigenre work that succeeds on a number of levels. Miracles, magic, and monsters in the land of enchantment is a 2014 collection of thirteen investigations conducted by author ben radford into cases involving claims of the paranormal occurring in or with significant connections to new mexico. Spirits and ghosts abound in the downtown area of enchanting santa fe, new mexico. The stories im hearing tonight about julia staab, about her ghost, from the people who stayed in the room im starting to believe more, nordhaus said at a book signing friday night. Julia staab died in 1896but her ghost, they say, lives on. The building was a private home before becoming an inn, built for julia staab. We hope youll take advantage of this oneofakind opportunity to learn more about our resorts muse and experience the magic of our santa fe luxury accommodations this fall. Visit this page to learn more about the book american ghost written by the great greatgrandaughter of julia staab. In american ghost journalist hannah nordhaus braids personal memoir with historical research and resolute ghost hunting in a narrative that investigates the restless spirit of her. The true story of a familys haunted past published by harpercollins, is celebrated with a reading. He was one of the few jews who had settled in santa fe a few.
Distant cousins have sent me family photos of julias siblings and nieces and nephews. The narrative skillfully weaves together julias story, the story of nordhauss search for julia and the ghost story. Her greatgreatgranddaughter, hannah nordhaus, has just written a fascinating book on julias life. A familys haunted past in the desert southwest, a new book by boulder writer hannah nordhaus, had just arrived. Nordhauss book, which explores the life of the authors greatgreatgrandmother julia schuster staab, does start with sightings of a ghost, but then moves. Abraham staab had earned a great deal of money from his days as a major supply contractor for the union army during the civil war. Hannah nordhauss new book american ghost is an offbeat mishmosh of memoir, cultural history, genealogical detective story and paranormal investigation, but it opens in the classic manner of. Author hannah nordhaus on chasing her ghostly ancestor julia. A familys haunted past in the desert southwest by hannah nordhaus. Its a chronicle of germanjewish immigration to the american southwest, a reckoning of family secrets, and an account of. In santa fe, searching for a ghost and finding enchantment. In american ghost, julias greatgreatgranddaughter, hannah nordhaus, traces her ancestors transfiguration from nineteenthcentury jewish bride to modern phantom.
Julia staab was a member of the nordhaus family tree and also santa fes most famous ghost. Born to a welltodo jewish family in germany in the mid1840s, julia eventually married a fellow german jew who went on to become one of santa fes most prominent and scandalridden businessmen. In part, the book is the authors quest to find out if the rumors about julia s ghost are true. Ghost, a familys haunted past in the desert southwest, a book about julia. There are all kinds of legends about julia she went mad, her husband murdered her, she killed herself. In her book american ghost, hannah nordhaus, author of the beekeepers lament, hopes to use any tools at her disposal to discover whether or not her greatgreatgrandmother julia is indeed haunting the santa fe hotel she once called home. Julia staab s bedchamber, where she spent the last days of her life, and where she died, is now suite 100 in the hotel. Denver post journalist hannah nordhaus braids personal memoir with historical research and resolute ghost hunting in a narrative that investigates the restless spirit of her greatgreatgrandmother julia schuster staab. He then moved to santa fe and was a very successful merchant. Kaadt, courtesy palace of the governors photo archives. Joanna hersons 2008 novel, the german bride, is based on julias story. Visit this page to learn more about the book american ghost written by the greatgreatgrandaughter of julia staab.
Author hannah nordhaus on chasing her ghostly ancestor. Julia staab is someone ive thought about my whole life and known about. Late last winter, hannah nordhaus book american ghost, a familys haunted past in the desert southwest, was released by harpercollins. You might after reading this book sante fes most famous ghost is hannah nordhaus greatgreatgrandmother. Nordhauss book, which explores the life of the authors greatgreatgrandmother julia schuster staab, does start with sightings of a ghost, but then moves on to become part memoir, part history book, part journalistic endeavor. Ghost stories to scare you into coming to santa fe santa fe. March 25, 2015 sante fes most famous ghost is hannah nordhaus greatgreatgrandmother. Her new book, american ghost, is mix of memoir, cultural history, genealogical detective story and paranormal investigation. The building was a private home before becoming an inn, built for julia.
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