The Hermann House Poltergeist

In early 1958, the Hermann family of Seaford, Long Island, experienced six weeks of poltergeist activity that drew police, scientists, and media attention. The phenomena centered on bottle caps that unscrewed themselves and objects that moved without apparent cause.

The House

The Hermann family lived in a modest suburban home. James and Lucille Hermann had two children: James Jr. (twelve) and Lucille (thirteen). They were a normal family with no prior unusual experiences.

The Bottles

Beginning on February 3, 1958, bottles throughout the house had their caps unscrew and pop off. The caps were not the pop-off variety but screw-top caps that required turning to remove. They unscrewed on their own and flew across rooms.

The Investigation

Nassau County police investigated extensively. Building inspectors, utility companies, and scientists examined the house. The phenomena resisted all conventional explanation. No vibration source, no chemical reaction, no mechanism could explain the events.

The Pattern

Activity occurred only when James Jr. was present. However, he was never observed causing the phenomena. When tested, he showed elevated stress but no ability to consciously move objects.

The End

After approximately six weeks, the activity stopped as mysteriously as it had begun. James Jr. grew up normally. The case was never explained.

Assessment

The Seaford case remains significant for its thorough investigation by multiple authorities. The self-unscrewing bottles defied physical explanation. The case contributed to scientific understanding of poltergeist phenomena.