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One of the Annabell dolls used in the movie franchise housed at the Museum at the New England Society for Paranormal Research in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

Dan Rivera, Senior Lead Investigator of the New England Society for Paranormal Research stands in front of the case that houses the Annabelle doll in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

Items in Ed Warren's office at The New England Society for Paranormal Research in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

The mannequin that represents the Legend of the White Woman at the Museum at the New England Society for Paranormal Research in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

Tony Spera, the real-life Occult Museum curator and son-in-law of renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren pictured in the Museum at the New England Society for Paranormal Research in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

The haunted organ with items that have been sent to the museum at the New England Society for Paranormal Research in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

Dan Rivera, Senior Lead Investigator of the New England Society for Paranormal Research with a new item to the museum called the "Lucifer Sword" in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

Items in the Museum at the New England Society for Paranormal Research in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

Dan Rivera, Senior Lead Investigator of the New England Society for Paranormal Research holds the gloves that are worn when handling the Annabelle doll. Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

Tony Spera, the real-life Occult Museum curator and son-in-law of renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren opens the case that houses the Annabelle doll a the Museum at the Center for Paranormal Research in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

A spirit Doll housed at the museum at the Center for Paranormal Research in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

Tony Spera, the real-life Occult Museum curator and son-in-law of renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren in the Center for Paranormal Research. The entrance to Ed Warren's office is behind him. Located in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

After being locked within the Warrens' Occult Museum in Monroe, making very few trips in recent years, the real "haunted" Annabelle doll will be visible to the public this Halloween at two different events. The first is Oct. 29 at The Warrens' Seekers of the Supernatural Paracon at Mohegan Sun, and the second is Oct. 30 as part of a special "Mischief Night" presentation in New Milford. In addition to the famous doll, which has spawned its own series of movies, a number of other items from the Warrens' collection will be present at these events. 

Ed and Lorraine Warrens' Occult Museum is a hidden paranormal hotspot in Connecticut. Housing some of the most "haunted" items including a dinosaur toy from the "Devil Made Me Do It" case, the museum is closed to the general public.

While the public is unable to enter the museum, these Halloween events produced by the Warrens' son-in-law are allowing curious fans to meet the famous "haunts" that have permeated pop culture. But questions may remain unanswered as to what exactly makes Annabelle allegedly “haunted,” what else is inside the museum and who the Warrens really were.

Scroll below to see the museum is closed as well as where Annabelle is actually kept.

The Warrens' Seekers of the Supernatural Paracon is a convention highlighting the investigations of the Warrens as well as the current state of paranormal research. 

This is the second year of the convention, which debuted in Waterbury last October. The convention is also officially linked to Ed and Lorraine Warren through the New England Society for Paranormal Research (NESPR). The name of the festival is also based on a 1980s cable access show called “Seekers of the Supernatural” that was created by Ed and narrated by Tony Spera, the son-in-law of the Warrens.

Annabelle will be on display at the convention as well as a number of other items from the Warrens' Occult Museum including a "Shadow Doll, Satanic Idol and a Haunted Dinosaur Toy." Building off the Warren legacy, the convention will also feature a number of guest speakers with ties to the Warrens including demonologist brothers Keith & Carl Johnson and A&E’s "Paranormal State" star Ryan Buell. The convention will also host more than 60 vendors that specialize in oddities and the supernatural.

Tony Spera, the real-life Occult Museum curator and son-in-law of renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren stands in front of a haunted organ and other items at the Museum at the Center for Paranormal Activity in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

The real Annabelle doll will also make her way to New Milford for a "Mischief Night" presentation at the end of the month. The "Meet the REAL Annabelle" event will follow The Warrens' Seekers of the Supernatural Paracon. Spera will bring the allegedly "haunted" doll as well as a "a surprise friend from the museum" to a special talk in Harrybrooke Park on Sunday, Oct. 30.

Synonymously tied with the world of the paranormal, Connecticut’s Ed and Lorraine Warren are often regarded as some of the prolific paranormal investigators of the 20th century. For the better part of 50 years, the Warrens investigated supposed paranormal activity across the globe, including the famous Amityville Horror and the Enfield Poltergeist.

According to NESPR, Edward Warren Miney was born in Bridgeport in 1926. Less than a year later, Lorraine Rita Moran was born in the same city. The couple married in 1945 and in 1951, they gave birth to their only child, Judy Warren. Ed served time in the Navy during World War II and upon returning home, studied art at Yale’s subsidiary art school, Perry Art School. Ed and Lorraine traveled New England attempting to make a profit on Ed’s paintings but along the way, it was said that the two would often make stops at haunted locations, which were often the inspiration for Ed’s artwork. 

Ed and Lorraine Warren arrives at Danbury Superior Court, March 19, 1981, where a grand jury returned an indictment against Arne Cheyenne Johnson in the slaying of Alan Bono, 40, on February 16, 1981, in Brookfield, Connecticut. 

Lorraine was said to have been clairvoyant — meaning that she was reported as having been able to gain insight into cases through “supernatural abilities” — as well as a “medium,” which means having the ability to communicate with paranormal entities, according to NESPR. Ed was a self-taught demonologist and a devout Catholic. In 1952, the Warrens established the NESPR, which is credited as the oldest paranormal research organization in the country. According to NESPR, the Warrens conducted over 100 individual paranormal investigations during their time.   Toward the end of their investigative period, the Warrens focused heavily on passing on their knowledge of the occult by hosting various lectures across the country. In 2006, Ed passed away at the age of 79. Lorraine continued to do the lectures on her own and served as the consultant on the first two “Conjuring” movies before her death in 2019. The Warrens’ NESPR is currently run by their son-in-law, Tony Spera, co-director of the organization and curator of the Warrens' Occult Museum in Monroe, as well as the Warrens’ daughter, Judy Spera, who also co-directs the organization. 

The real Annabelle doll is kept at the Warrens' Occult Museum in Monroe, where it is behind a locked case with a sign made by Ed that reads “positively do not open.” Though not quite as menacing-looking as its movie counterpart, which sits in a glass case across from the original doll, Annabelle has a commanding presence over the museum.

Dan Rivera, Senior Lead Investigator of the New England Society for Paranormal Research stands in front of the case that houses the Annabelle doll in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

Annabelle is much larger in person than most Raggedy Anne dolls, standing at roughly three feet tall, according to Spera.

Though they’re not entirely sure if Annabelle is still “possessed,” Daniel Rivera, the Senior Lead Investigator for NESPR, is the only person who handles Annabelle. He wears gloves that have crosses on them as well as saint medals in the fingertips when touching Annabelle. When transporting Annabelle to upcoming events, she will be housed in a specially-made protective box.

Driving down Knollwood Street in Monroe, tourists and occult enthusiasts alike are greeted with no trespassing signage as well as signs that denote that the Warren’s Occult Museum is closed. 

The museum has remained closed to the general public since 2014 due to local zoning laws not permitting a “museum” in the residential neighborhood. Spera said he has faced zoning disputes due to the popularity of the museum, which has led to people traveling to the museum and parking along the narrow street. Neighbors have complained of fans of the Warrens knocking on their doors and have taken issue with previous private tours given by Spera. Spera said he constantly gets messages from enthusiasts looking to visit the museum, but he has to dismiss them and tell them not to come as the museum is closed. 

There are currently no plans to move the contents of the museum outside of upcoming special events. 

Tony Spera, the real-life Occult Museum curator and son-in-law of renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren pictured in the Museum at the New England Society for Paranormal Research in Monroe, Conn. on Sept. 6, 2022.

In bringing Annabelle and other items from the occult museum to the upcoming The Warrens' Seekers of the Supernatural Paracon at Mohegan Sun on Oct. 29, Spera hopes to allow the general public to have the opportunity to see all of these items since the museum remains. For those who are concerned with Annabelle and other items being moved around, the NESPR team said they have taken precautions to ensure safety.

"We have a priest that’s with the group and he’ll be there blessing the items once they get there, before they leave and in the car. We’re not stingy with the holy water either," Chris Gillorean, lead investigator at NESPR, said in a previous interview. 

Andrew DaRosa works for the digital team at Hearst Connecticut Media, both producing online content as well as maintaining homepages.

Andrew is an award-winning journalist and holds a degree in digital journalism from Fairfield University.

When he's not writing, he is spending time with his dogs or going to see live music.