The Bellefonte family wins HGTV's “Scariest House in America” ​​and a $150,000 home renovation

A Bellefonte family is celebrating a national TV victory after their home at the entrance to a cemetery was voted the spookiest house in America by HGTV, winning a $150,000 home renovation.

Kat Momenzadeh, an English teacher at Bellefonte Area High School, said she and her family were shocked when producers told them they had won.

“We thought we would spend the next 10 years fixing up this house,” she said. “And they kind of did it for us, they implemented our five- to 10-year plan in eight weeks.”

Momenzadeh said filming with host Retta began around May 16. Just a few days later, movers arrived to clear out their belongings for the surprise renovation.

“It was a whirlwind,” she said. “By May 19, they had movers come to our house to get our stuff out. It all happened so quickly.”

The renovation was led by designer Alison Victoria, who incorporated bold colors, cemetery gate-inspired arch designs, and custom bookcases.

“She was really into built-in bookshelves, which I’m absolutely thrilled about,” Momenzadeh said. “These are the most beautiful bookshelves ever.”

Built in the mid-19th century, the gatehouse originally served as a residence for the cemetery manager. After the caretaker program ended at the turn of the 20th century, the building remained in the possession of the cemetery but gradually fell into disrepair. In the 1970s and 1980s it became a haunted house attraction with actors and walk-through scary scenes. The property was later purchased and restored in the 1980s and converted back into a habitable home. Kat Momenzadeh and her family became the new owners in February this year.

Momenzadeh, who lives next to a cemetery, said it was almost strange not to experience anything scary. One evening while she was cooking, she noticed that her Bluetooth speaker kept turning down. When she finally lowered the volume, the interruptions stopped.

“The ghosts must not like loud music,” she joked. “We have to respect our 'neighbors'.”

Local contractors, including Paint Ninjas and Bellefonte Building Supply, completed much of the work. Much of the furniture came from downtown antique shops such as Victorian Rose and Mish Mosh.

“They really did a great job,” Momenzadeh said. “It was actually the local people who did the work and that was really meaningful for us.”

Momenzadeh said the experience made her family grateful.

“This is way beyond what we could have ever imagined,” she said. “We’re just very grateful that they were able to take us so far in realizing our own vision.”