Bobby Elgee asked:


This article was written in response to a recent newspaper article (published in the Keene Sentinel, Keene, NH on Saturday, July 10, 2009) pertaining to The Atlantic Paranormal Society’s (TAPS) recent investigation of the Amos J. Blake House Museum in Fitzwilliam, NH, the museum of the Fitzwilliam Historical Society, and their intention to use the footage on their television show Ghost Hunters.

As a paranormal investigator, I have participated in three investigations at the Amos J. Blake House Museum. The group I am a member of was invited to investigate the location by the museum’s curator. I am aware of approximately six different paranormal groups that have investigated the site.

Though there are some indications of paranormal activity at the museum, all I have personally experienced is one cold spot, an unexplained voice, as well as capturing photographs of some strange mist. This is certainly not enough evidence to declare the place haunted by the standards of most paranormal investigators, however, we are all aware of the rarity of such phenomena and the difficulty of catching such phenomena on tape.

More recently, reports have been made of multiple apparitions, objects moving, and intelligent spirits haunting the location. These phenomena–as well as other strange events–have been reported by several groups, though most of these claims were made by Conscious Spirits Paranormal Group (CSPG), a team founded by the museums curator.

These events were documented on CSPG’s Web site as recently as Thursday July 8th. Upon review of the groups site on Monday July 13, all references to the Amos J. Blake House investigations had been removed, though there is documentation of the groups investigation of the location at the Web site of the Keene State Equinox, a local college newspaper.

There are several links– accessible via Google searches–to CSPG’s Web site that portray their involvement with this location.

It is unclear to me why this information was deleted. I certainly enjoyed following the reported activity and even though our group considered the purported “evidence” to be highly exaggerated–being more attentive to debunking then many groups–I found it very entertaining.

At this point in time, two of the few sites where I can find any significant documentation of paranormal activity at the museum is on Dark Nights Paranormal’s as well as ECTO Paranormal’s, two teams of competent and tech-savvy investigators based in the general area. There is at least one other Web site where documentation of an investigation of the museum is posted, however, the location is not being disclosed–though it was previously identified as such.

Apparently,there was a minor controversy involved with “Ghost Hunters,” filming at the location, as it was reported that the museum’s Board of Directors had no prior knowledge of the TAPS investigation of the museum. The newspaper article published several comments from a member of the board pertaining to this fact, and–as of the time this article was written–there is still appears to be some question as to who signed the release form that allowed the filming in the first place. The paper also reported that the curator of the museum–who participated in the filming–had no comment.

I find it interesting that the board had no prior knowledge of a film crew being invited to the location. It is also of interest to note that the curator of the museum is a former member of the group I am involved with. This individual left our group abruptly in February or March–and subsequently formed her own group–shortly after informing me that TAPS had contacted her and had expressed interest in setting up on the location. It was also at this time that the reports of purported paranormal activity at the location increased significantly.

It is clear to me that TAPS was interested in this location, and–at least according to the curator–that there was some contact going on during this time between them and the museum..

In an open query to the Board of Directors of the Fitzwilliam Historical Society, I would ask the them to consider the publicity that may be garnered from the location’s appearance on a national television show. In my experience, considering locations like the museum, publicity is a good thing.

Many similar sites have capitalized on such attention for monetary gain and recognition. The board will certainly want to consider how they are going to handle requests from individuals and groups wanting to complete paranormal investigations of the location–if you choose to allow them at all–as well as other recognition and media attention that arises from such an event.

Some places charge special fees for unique “haunted tours,” and others even arrange all-night ghost hunts. The U.S.S. Salem in Boston, MA, The Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA, and Waverly Hills Sanitorium in Louisville, KY are examples of locations that are earning revenue and recognition secondary to their haunted status, and are places where one can participate in a paranormal investigation, above and beyond taking a simple tour.

In general, I would say that most ghost hunters are a respectful bunch, and the good ones appreciate the historical significance of such locations, as well as the potential for any paranormal activity.

The Amos J. Blake House Museum is a wonderful example of a New England historical society museum with an interesting and varied collection of artifacts, and–in my mind–this fact FAR outstrips the possibility of any paranormal activity occurring there.

I have participated many paranormal investigations–and have experienced some very strange things–however, on a scale of 1 to 10 related to possible paranormal activity, I would rate the museum a 2 or 3. Considering its wonderful collection and the history contained within its walls, I would rate it a 10.

Of course TAPS, with their top-of-the-line equipment and considerable resources may certainly be more successful then an amateur ghost hunter such as myself when it comes to finding evidence of possible paranormal activity.

It is obvious to me that the board of the Fitzwilliam Historical Society needs to seriously consider if this is a direction they would like to move in, and how the museum got to this point in the first place–a national television show filming in the location, apparently without it’s knowledge and consent.

At this time, it appears that consent has been given, albeit in a method in which the board was not aware, and that the investigation will air on national television. The board should consider how they can take advantage of this. My guess is that the situation be viewed as a positive one, an opportunity to increase attention for the museum, possibly resulting in revenue that could be used to help maintain this historic location. It may also have the added benefit of drawing some tourism to the town of Fitzwilliam, and the Monadnock area in general.

Of course, the board could certainly decide to let the spirits rest as well.

Joel Owens asked:


The world of the paranormal is back – back in television that is. The signs were clear when the show Lost, and Medium by ABC and NBC respectively have been gaining ratings. Warner Brothers has joined the fray with the new series Supernatural. Episodes of this show play like its own mini horror movie. The truth is, Warner Brothers have always been doing this kind of show. They were the ones who made Buffy the Vampire Slayer such a big hit. They followed it with the spin-off Angel. Then there was the hit series that made Witches so much sexier Charmed and then finally, the very successful Smallville based on the teen life of the worlds most popular superhero. Supernatural features pretty boys and pretty girls all involved in the world of unholy phenomena. Despite that, his show can actually scare you.

The main characters Sam and Dean Winchester are played by actors with unpronounceable last names Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles. The two are actually ok actors. They do their job on screen well enough for us to believe what they are doing or to believe that there is actually some demon in the scene. The only distraction is that they are just look too much like pretty boy models. Jared Padalecki has been trying to get other kinds of acting opportunities. He recently had a role as a victim in the House of Wax horror movie and as another victim in the movie Cry Wolf. Okay, so those roles aren’t exactly new. He might not be able to get out of the genre of the supernatural. Episodes that showcase his acting skills are many though, and might be good enough for his career. On the other hand, Jensen Ackles seems like a more veteran actor. He is more convincing for me.

Eric Kripke, another unpronounceable surname, is the Supernatural Episodes creator and executive producer. This is a hell of a lot better than the last project he was involved in, the massive failure called “Tarzan.” Supernatural episodes have a better horror quality. It actually made my heart skip maybe once or twice throughout the season. But maybe that is only because I am not really that used to seeing blood and gore in my television set. My dose of horror blood is always taken through the movie houses. So in the final analysis, Fox has tried to combine some elements from The X-files, and also some story elements from the show Route 66. The show, especially in the last few plot twisting episodes of season 4 is worthy of being watched. It’s a welcome addition to the horror genre in television which seems to have been thinning out as of late.

Jack Yang asked:


There are several new television programs which are very entertaining. Some of the new seasons of these programs are getting better than last year and other programs are entirely new. These shows are very different from one another and are all very good and entertaining or educational and entertaining.

The first new show is Top Gear. Top Gear is a show on BBC America, that has been on the air in Brittan for several seasons, and is now showing in America on the BBC America Channel. This is not just a program about cars and other vehicles, it is the most entertaining program about vehicles of every sort ever on television. In addition to giving much comparison on different vehicles as the new season of vehicles comes onto the market, it puts the vehicles to the test by racing the vehicle by the same driver, and keeping a list of how each vehicle ranks as far as speed. In addition, each guest star invited to the show races the same vehicle and gets to see where he or she ranks against the past guests to the show, all recorded on a magnetic board and the guests time is put up to show where he or she ranks in racing the same vehicle. In addition to the guest, the 3 hosts of the show take different challenges given by the producers of the show, such as racing 18 wheel trucks, which the 3 co-hosts had to buy with under 1500 British Pounds. The hosts then had to paint and decorate the trucks, and then had to do a number of challenges, which were unknown to the hosts until each challenge began. Each episode is very entertaining and comical. Comparison of automobiles is a very boring subject, but this program is anything but boring. This program shows its new episode each Monday evening at 9 pm EST, on the BBC America Channel. Each new episode airs several times each week.

The new season of Paranormal State is better than the last season. Paranormal State is a show about Penn State Paranormal Research’s team helping those who are being ‘haunted’ in their homes. Many times, PRS is the family’s last hope to clear their home of the infestation or find out why the spirit is in the home. The PRS team not only tries to prove the existence of the paranormal, but they get services for the families they help. Counseling services or any other services that will help the family to heal from the damage done by the paranormal situation. The PRS group does not go into a situation with trying to prove the existence of the paranormal, more to disprove it, or find an alternate explanation before calling the activity in question paranormal. There are times that the answer has not been paranormal at all. If the family needs counseling for what ever reason, those services are offered to the family at no charge to the family. The PRS team deals with many different types of ‘hauntings’ and even at times deal with demonic beings. The new episode airs on A & E, on Monday nights at 10 pm EST.

BBC America has started a new show called Mistresses. The show airs on Fridays at 9 pm EST. Mistresses is a program about 4 friends who each have their own problems and relationship issues and try to help each other through their problems. The women are each very different and have different sets of moral values. The show is very interesting, since no two of the women are in the same situation. This is definitely an adult program but for those with an open mind it is interesting. This program also gives a realistic view into how some women think. It does have an adult subject matter and is not for children. The women are all in different career fields, one is a doctor, one is a lawyer, one is a stay at home mom, who lost her husband in the Terrorist Attacks on 9/11. The last woman is a wedding planner. The show takes a very interesting stand on interpersonal relationships and how things can go wrong.

Hazel Ford asked:


What I think we need to understand is that televised ghost hunts are edited to the point where they give the impression that there is continuous activity.  This is very understandable when you consider that they only have an hour to demonstrate 2 days worth of ghost hunting time.  This is obviously edited and therefore the paranormal activity seems relentless.  As a ghost hunter myself I can sometimes feel very envious of how televised events present themselves to the eager observers.  I wish that on an untelevised event we could get that much activity.  However, this is not the case.  On many ghost hunt events it could be a long arduous night with very much happening at all and when it does there is no repetition or replay of the moment.  We have to be alert and eagle eyed throughout the event.  The best thing about having a lot of people there is that there are more people to hear and see activity.  The downside is obviously that there are also a lot of people who can make noise which can be misinterpreted.

All ghost hunts are fascinating.  Every location is unique as is every ghost hunt event.  The people attending the event all bring something different in terms of energy and belief about what they are doing.  I wonder how interesting it would be for a public ghost hunt to be televised and how controls could be enforced in order to make it entertaining.  It would of course be quite an active event as the timeframe would be filled with the movement of the public and re-settling into various locations.  However, I could see how this could work.  It would be a bit like the public who watch the televised versions of a ghost hunt physically going into the Television to be part of the televised event.  No longer being an observer but a participator. 

 

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