off, they hightailed it to Kingston. From there, the fam- ily donated many of the house’s authentic pieces to- ward its restoration. There is now a replica of the upper balcony from which Annie entertained herself, watching her slaves receive cruel punishments. The guide may tell you that the balcony is “quite safe to stand on.” Whether this is a wry remark or actual re- assurance is tough to say. After being guided through the rooms where Annie
and her husbands were murdered, you’re led back to the dungeon, making your way down another set of stone steps. Once inside, the guide explains that the plantation’s slaves were lowered into the dun- geon by ropes and set down in what are now the vis- itor restrooms. The three slots in the dungeon were the only source of ventilation at the time – and it is indeed difficult to breathe down there. As a grim re- minder of just how terrible conditions were for slaves, also on display is a bear trap that was used to snare would-be escapees – horrifically injuring them for life. A replica of a whip that was commonly used to punish them also hangs on one of the dun- geon’s stone walls. But perhaps the creepiest area of Rose Hall lies
outside of the house; there you’ll find Annie’s tomb, marked with the scratchings of schoolchildren. Annie was originally buried in a simple grave by an overseer, but her bones were found in the early 1970s. In 1978, psychics from Haiti journeyed to the gravesite to contact her spirit. They painted white crosses on the headstone to trap her, but, un- able to make contact with her ghost, and unsure of where exactly she was, only three out of four crosses could be painted. The absent cross al- legedly allows her spirit to roam in and out of her tomb. This is the last stop on the tour, and before it ends, the guide finishes by singing the “Ballad of Annie Palmer,” an eerie ode written by Cash. It’s remarkable to see the difference between
Rose Hall’s elegance today, and its ruined state that lasted over a century. But don’t let the decadence give you a false sense of security. Lurking just be- yond the next room may well be the White Witch.
The Rose Hall Great House is open year-round be-
tween 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. Admission prices are $20 US for adults and $10 US for children under twelve. More information can be found at
rosehall.com.
The Lair Of The White Witch: (clockwise from top) Annie Palmer’s tomb, the stairwell down to the dungeon, the replica of the upper balcony, Annie’s bedroom where she was eventually killed, and (opposite) the imposing front entrance to Rose Hall.
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