We Meet Ed and Lorraine Warren's Annabelle at Paracon Seekers of the Supernatural 2024

I Saw the Real Annabelle Doll at Paracon – Here’s What Happened

Hey spooky cats! If you're into haunted objects and creepy lore, you're going to love this one. I finally got to see the real Annabelle doll in person at Paracon in Gettysburg, PA—and yes, I mean the Annabelle, the one from the Warren Occult Museum. And of course, I brought my camera so you could come along for the ride!

Before we get into my experience, let’s back up and talk about why this seemingly harmless Raggedy Ann doll became one of the most infamous haunted objects in the world.

The Chilling Origin of Annabelle

The story starts in the 1970s when a nursing student named Donna received Annabelle as a gift. At first, it was just cute decor for her apartment, but things quickly got weird. The doll reappeared in different locations than where Donna had left it, sometimes with handwritten notes saying things like “Help me.”

Then things escalated. Their friend Lou had a terrifying experience where he woke up paralyzed and saw Annabelle climbing up his body. He blacked out and woke up with deep, bloody claw marks on his chest. Yeah—yikes.

A medium told the girls the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle Higgins who “just wanted to be loved inhabited the doll.” But the disturbances didn’t stop—in fact, they got worse. That’s when the girls turned to Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Why the Warrens Took Annabelle

The Warrens, famous paranormal investigators, came in to inspect the doll and immediately realized this wasn’t a sweet little girl spirit at all. Lorraine, a clairvoyant, sensed something much darker. They concluded that a demonic entity had latched onto the doll and was pretending to be Annabelle to gain sympathy and get permission to stay in the home. Its actual goal? To possess a human host.

Knowing how dangerous this thing could be, the Warrens removed Annabelle from the apartment. Even on the drive home, they experienced brake failures and other bizarre activity—until Ed sprinkled holy water on the doll, and everything calmed down.

Once home, they built a special glass case for her, had it blessed, and placed her in their Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, where she’s remained ever since… well, mostly.

How They Move Annabelle (Yes, It’s a Whole Thing)

When Annabelle leaves the museum for events like Paracon, it’s a whole production. And no, they don’t just throw her in a tote bag and hit the road.

Before she’s even touched, a priest blesses the room. Handlers wear gloves and follow strict procedures to avoid direct contact. They carefully opened the case, said prayers, and moved Annabelle into a specially blessed transport container designed to keep her spiritual energy sealed in. A dedicated vehicle takes her to the event, sometimes even accompanied by clergy. When she arrives, she’s placed in another secured, blessed display case where she stays for the duration.

They do not mess around with this doll, and after learning her backstory, I don’t blame them!

Seeing Annabelle in Person at Paracon

So let’s talk about our trip to Paracon! Gettysburg already has that spooky energy thanks to its Civil War history, but seeing Annabelle in person added a whole new layer. Her case safely displayed her, surrounded by curious onlookers and believers whispering stories of bad luck and paranormal energy.

Naturally, we had to see for ourselves if we’d feel anything weird or get any strange vibes. Honestly? We didn’t. No chills, no heaviness, no sense of dread. She just sat there behind the glass, looking like a well-loved, if slightly creepy, Raggedy Ann doll.

Was I disappointed? Not really. I'm a skeptic at heart, and it was still amazing to see an object that has such a rich paranormal history. Whether you believe the stories or not, there's no denying that Annabelle has become a legend.

Final Thoughts

Seeing the real Annabelle was definitely a bucket list moment. While I felt nothing spooky myself, it was fascinating to watch other people’s reactions—some kept their distance, some whispered prayers, and a few even refused to look directly at her.

It’s one thing to hear the stories or watch The Conjuring movies, but it’s something else entirely to stand in front of the actual doll that inspired all the fear and fascination.

Watch the video; then tell me: Is Annabelle genuinely haunted, or merely hyped paranormal fiction?

Stay spooky,
🖤 Spooky Cat Lady