Famous singer and actress May Yohé grew up in the historic Bethlehem Hotel in Pennsylvania, singing and dancing for guests. Her life was not as great as hers and it is said that she still exists in the afterlife where it all began.
The Hotel Bethlehem in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is a historic landmark that is the oldest hotel in Pennsylvania, a luxurious retreat and, intriguingly, a haunted haven.
Of the many ghost legends that haunt the hotel's 125 rooms, none are as captivating and tragic as the tale of Mary Yohe, known to many as “May.” Its story, marked by fame, misfortune and nostalgia, echoes in the halls and ballrooms of this magnificent hotel, especially at Christmas.
The First House of Bethlehem
Before it turned into today's hotel, it was the headquarters of Moravian missionaries. They named their novel city Bethlehem on Christmas Eve in 1741. The original 1741 house was built by Moravian missionary Count Nicholas Von Zinzendorf.
In 1794, they built the Golden Eagle Hotel, which is still a Moravian building. It is also the building and time from which many of the ghosts described come from.
The hotel existed until 1919, when it was destroyed after serving as a World War I military convalescent home. Then in 1922, steel tycoon Charles M. Schwab built the luxurious Bethlehem Hotel as we know it today.
May Yohé achieve fame
Mary “May” Yohe was born in April 1866 and was the granddaughter of Caleb Yohe, who managed the hotel when it was called The Eagle. Born Mary Augusta Yohe, she grew up there and from an early age showed an extraordinary talent for singing and performing, and in the hall there are recordings of her singing and dancing for guests when she was teenage.
The Moravians liked her so much that their church took out the money and sent Yohéto Europe for a refined education, studying in Dresden and later at the Sacré Coeur monastery in Paris.
May's abilities quickly gained attention, catapulting her into the spotlight. Her voice and charm captivated audiences in Paris and throughout Europe, where she performed to great acclaim. In 1888, she made national headlines as one of the biggest stars of the stage and its romances.
Her beauty and talent caught the attention of even a wealthy British lord, who introduced her to the aristocracy with a lavish marriage. She married Lord Francis Clinton Hope and he gave her the very notable Hope Diamond, which she wore many times. The diamond named after him was considered cursed, which she also mentioned in the script she wrote about it.
The tragic fall of the singer
They married in November 1894. She gained fame on the London stage in 1893 and 1894, especially in the burlesque Little Christopher Columbus. He led an extravagant lifestyle, which the two continued together, and in 1896 he was discharged from bankruptcy. The newspapers reported a divorce in 1902 after they had squandered their fortune and Hope had to sell the Hope Diamond to pay his debts.
She then had a series of marriages and affairs that were unhappy, as a result of which she was robbed, gave up her child for adoption, and was left devastated and destitute.
She died in poverty in Boston in 1938, having lost all her money and fame. Her husband scattered her ashes into the Atlantic Ocean and followed her a few months later. Despite the confusion and heartbreak, May often recalled her early years in Bethlehem, calling them the best of her life.
May Yohé's ghostly presence at the Bethlehem Hotel
To this day, May Yohe's spirit is said to linger throughout the Bethlehem Hotel, and her ethereal presence is felt by guests and staff alike, often appearing as the little girl she was. Visitors report seeing a teenage woman dressed in an elegant outfit reminiscent of the once dazzling artist May, particularly on the third floor.
Guests claim they can hear her singing and that the piano starts playing when no one is there. She can often be found near the piano, where she charmed the audience with her singing or gracefully strolling by the Christmas tree, as if lost in the memories of happier times.
The most terrifying encounters are hearing her voice – lackluster but unmistakably recognizable – singing one of her favorite songs. These ghostly serenades often appear in the serene hours of the night, sending shivers down the spine of those who hear them.
It is said that every year as Christmas approaches, sightings of May Yohe become more recurrent. The holiday season is believed to stimulate her spirit, bringing to the fore memories of joy and sadness. Guests staying at the Hotel Bethlehem during this time often hope to see the charming spirit or hear her melancholic melodies in the air again.
Other paranormal phenomena at the Bethlehem hotel
Many employees report hearing someone calling their name when no one is there. Shadows, ghosts and reflections are almost commonplace during your stay at the Bethlehem Hotel. Tapping on the shoulder, things falling off desks, and electrical appliances not working as they should.
A man known as Frank Smith is wearing a suit and appears on the third floor, and an 18th century Moravian settler is moving around in the basement. There is also the ghost of one of the former caretakers of the Hotel Pod Orłem in the basement, who is said to be keeping an eye on things in the basement. Mrs. Hops brought slaves from Virginia and hid them in the basement. It is said that he still guards them in the afterlife.
Guide to the Spirit of the City, Francis
Another ghost that is said to haunt the Bethlehem Hotel is that of Francis “Daddy” Thomas, who was a tour guide in Bethlehem for many years. He was born in Wuttemburg, Germany, but moved to Cologne at the age of 6. Like many others in the area, he was greatly influenced by the Moravian Bishop Spangenberg. He was known as a fearless man, working as a courier, even almost death could not stop him from doing his job.
After many years of horse riding, he settled down as a carpenter and city guide, marrying Anna Graeff. After his death on April 4, 1822 at the age of 90, it was believed that he haunted the hotel, especially in the hotel's boiler room.
Mrs. Bring – a ghost without socks
In 1833, the Eagle Hotel, as it was then called, was still owned by the Moravian Church. They hired Mr. and Mrs. Bong, but they had no idea what kind of people they were. Mr. Bong was an alcoholic and never refused when a guest offered him a drink. Many times the bartender had to move him to a nearby bench when he was too drunk.
Mrs. Bong was apparently good at her job as a host, but she was too rebellious for a church-owned facility. She often appeared without shoes or stockings, shocking guests and the rest of the staff.
They were fired after six months, but to this day, kitchen workers and dinner guests claim to see a woman in period clothing, without shoes or socks, most often seen in the Bethlehem Hotel's kitchen or restaurant.
Paranormal activity in room 932
Many strange stories have appeared in room 932, with no name or story associated with them. A couple staying there was woken up by a man standing in front of their bed. “Why are you in my room?” – he asked, but as soon as they turned on the lightweight, he was gone.
There are also stories about guests who saw a reflection in the mirror that was not theirs, the lamps started flashing and paper fell off the desk. One time, a guest reported that the bathroom was open and saw a completely different bathroom. Many of the guests' photos show orbs appearing and this is currently the most desired room at the Bethlehem Hotel.
Haunted Bethlehem Hotel
For those who dare to spend the night at Hotel Bethlehem, the possibility of encountering the ghost of May Yohe, Mrs. Bong without socks, or experiencing something strange in Room 932 adds an extra layer of charm to this historic property. Whether you believe in ghosts or just enjoy a good story, the legend of Hotel Bethlehem is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Reference:
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May Yohe – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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