Mausoleum
From The Dark Shadows Wiki
The Collins Family mausoleum rests in Eagle Hill Cemetery, a short drive from the family’s estate at Collinwood. To the public at large, the mausoleum consists of one chamber containing three coffins sitting upon the floor. Inside the coffins are the remains of Joshua Collins, Naomi Collins, and Sarah Collins (209, 210). Unknown to many however, is that there exists a secret chamber hidden behind a movable panel behind Naomi’s memorial plaque. Since 1796, this inner-chamber contained the chained coffin of the vampire, Barnabas Collins.
In 1967, a would be treasure-seeker named Willie Loomis unwittingly discovered the secret chamber at the back of the mausoleum. Mistakenly believing that the chained coffin contained valuable antique jewelry, Willie opened it, thus awakening the slumbering Barnabas Collins (210).
The caretaker of the Eagle Hill Cemetery always suspected that an evil presence surrounded the mausoleum, but never knew just how correct he really was (209, 211).
Angelique (in the form of Cassandra Collins) placed a curse on Elizabeth that she would think of nothing but death, causing Elizabeth to believe she was going to be buried alive. To this end Elizabeth planned a special mausoleum to be built. The "coffin is to be in the center of the room resting on a marble base. By no means must there be any marble surrounding the coffin ... the coffin is to be specially made. There are to be small air vents where my head will lie ... inside the coffin there will be a buzzer, which when I press it, will release the lid of the coffin and simultaneously start a bell ringing. The bell will be in the tower and must be loud enough to be heard everywhere in this house". (577)
