Mark Moran
Featured Lecturer
Mark Moran is the co-publisher, author and editor of Weird N.J. magazines and books. For the past 33 years, Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets, has explored local legends, ancient mysteries, bizarre beasts, ghosts, unexplained phenomena and fabled people and places throughout the Garden State and beyond.
In 2003, Barnes & Noble released the first Weird N.J. hardcover book under their own imprint. Dozens of additional books would follow in a nationally successful Weird U.S. series. In 2005 Weird U.S. became a weekly television series on the History Channel in which Mark played himself.
For the past nine years Mark has been a commentator on the program Paranormal Caught on Camera, which airs on the Travel Channel and Discovery+. October of 2026 will see the release of the 65th issue of Weird N.J. magazine.
Footnote:
We wish Mark Moran's co-host Mark Sceurman a speedy recovery with his recent surgery and hope he can come and enjoy Albatwitch Day.
SARAH COOPER
What is a Snallygaster?
The North American Dragon
The Snallygaster originated from early 1700’s. German immigrants brought with them the term “Schneller Geist” or quick spirit. As Maryland cultures blended, Schneller Geist became Snallygaster.
Believed to be a dragon/bird chimera, the Snallygaster is said to have one eye, a beak, a dragon like body, and strangely, tentacles coming from its mouth.
1909 reports of the Snallygaster claim that it drained a Middletown man of blood and tossed his body off of a cliff. Some even claim that Teddy Roosevelt himself had plans to hunt the beast at the end of his term as President of the United States.
The American Snallygaster Museum
Our museum seeks to discuss and exhibit the folklore and history of Western Maryland. From the snallygaster to the snarly yow and all things in between. We will have all things snallygaster in history, art, and pop culture from the 1700’s through the modern day. Myths and truth will be revealed and discussions on the problematic past will be had. We hope to educate, entertain, enlighten, and enrich our community.