Residents and Spirits at 326 Spring St.
Richard “Rip” Hayman has lived at 326 Spring St. since moving into the 18th-century Federal-style townhouse as a student in the early 1970s, ny1.com reported. Known as the James Brown House, the landmark is named for the African aide to George Washington who once resided there. Its ground floor houses the Ear Inn, which began operating as a brewery and saloon in the 1840s. When Hayman first arrived, the bar operated primarily as a morning gathering place for sailors working along the nearby docks.
The Ear Inn and Dockworker History
In its early decades under Hayman’s tenure, the bar maintained strict admission customs. When I moved in it was only a working bar in the morning, 5 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, and they didn’t let any strangers, tourists, women, youth in, it was for the working guys on the dock to get the job, get the ship,
Hayman told ny1.com. The bar officially adopted the name the Ear Inn in 1977. Hayman co-owns the building with Martin Sheridan.
Reported Paranormal Activity Upstairs and Down
According to Hayman, some dockworkers and past residents never truly left the building. One rumored presence is a man named Mickey, who reportedly died in the structure decades ago. Hayman stated that others have claimed to hear Mickey grumbling on a landline telephone. The building’s crooked surfaces and uneven floors also contribute to ongoing reports of unexplained activity, including staff members experiencing sudden bumps when no one else is nearby.
Sari Dienes and the Building’s Future
Hayman also attributes lingering activity to the late artist Sari Dienes, who lived in the townhouse and helped preserve the property during the late 1970s. She’s one of the spirits who still hovers over the house, and in her later years is becoming more appreciated,
Hayman told ny1.com, adding that her devilish chuckle can occasionally be heard inside. Despite the stories, Hayman has embraced the building’s history and indicated he would not mind joining its rumored residents in the future.