As part of their yearly Halloween events, the Cranston Historical Society held an open meeting and lecture event October 17 at Governor Sprague Mansion titled “The Corpse That Drove a Hearse & Other New England Tales,” named after a book of the same title by Rhode Island Author and Historian James Ignasher.

The free event featured Ignasher as a guest speaker to present some of the haunting tales from around the New England area from his book. From a member of the dearly departed taking control of his own hearse during his funeral to several stories of folks on the wrong side of a premature burial the event was the Historical Society’s way of kicking off the Halloween season in a spooky way that still nodded toward the diverse history of the New England area. (Photos by Steve Popiel)