Fifty miles southwest of Buffalo, NY lies a small, sleepy community called Lily Dale. It was founded in 1879.
With fewer than 300 residents living in its 160 homes, it is officially designated a hamlet.
Lily Dale has a library, a museum, and a fire station. It also boasts two old hotels, one restaurant, a cafe, and gift shops.
The demographics are predominantly middle-aged females.
According to their charter, all property owners in Lily Dale must be church members in good standing for no less than one year.
They also have one other thing in common: they’re spiritualists and mediums.
They don’t read palms or tarot cards or crystal balls. They won’t tell your fortune. The mediums’ only purpose is to offer comfort and peace to anyone wishing to communicate with their dearly departed in the spirit world.
The town has been called “the world’s largest center for the religion of spiritualism” and is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
For over 140 years, people from around the world have traveled to Lily Dale. Past celebrity guests have included Shirley MacLaine, Deepak Chopra, and Susan B. Anthony.
In summertime, from the end of June to Labor Day weekend, visitors pay an entrance fee.
All visitors are asked to be respectfully quiet and still during their stay in Lily Dale so as to not interrupt “the flow” and “the vibrations” between spirits and mediums.
Every summer morning begins with ceremonies at a small temple where “approved volunteer healers” provide spiritual healing.
Afternoon services are held outdoors at Inspiration Stump. In this wooded area, mediums communicate with the spirits of visitors’ loved ones who have passed over, including pets.
Inspirational speeches take place some afternoons at the auditorium. Past speakers have included Dr. Wayne Dyer, Tibetan monks, and the hosts of the reality TV series Ghost Hunters.
Classes and workshops, mainly about spiritual growth, take place most weekends year round.
Lily Dale has three tiers of spiritual mediums: registered, visiting, and student. Visiting mediums come from around the world. Students are in training.
Registered mediums live on the grounds and are approved by the assembly. They alone are permitted to give personal readings and must be booked well in advance through the assembly’s website.
Lily Dale has between 30-50 “professional, registered mediums.”
Each charges their own fee per reading.
Few of them live in the hamlet during the winter. But they’re available year round by phone or on Zoom.
They offer no money-back guarantees.
ALSO:
My hometown is just 7 miles north of Lily Dale. When I was growing up, I never visited the place. It just wasn’t for me.
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