I've recently been reading Doctor Sleep, the sequel to Stephen King's The Shining. Released in September of last year, it focuses on an adult Dan Torrance and his struggle to deal with the demons from his past as well as confronting a new threat to a young girl who also "shines." Delving into the rich, engaging world Mr. King has created in these two novels inspired me to take a closer look at the inspiration behind them... the Stanley Hotel.
It was during a stay with his wife at the beautiful, neoclassical hotel nestled in the picturesque Rocky Mountains of Colorado King was inspired to write The Shining. This inspiration was in no small part driven by the numerous stories surrounding paranormal activity at the hotel. Of course the novel went on to become extremely popular and spawned both a film and TV movie adaptation, but what about the real spirits roaming the Stanley's corridors?
The richest source of stories is the ballroom. Staff and guests alike have reported on numerous occasions hearing a party underway in the room only to find empty. (This was also portrayed in King's novel and the movies). Many people have also heard someone playing the ballroom's piano. It is widely believed the source of the piano music is Flora, wife of hotel founder Freelan O. Stanley, who was an avid pianist. Other reports include a male apparition in one of the guest rooms standing over the bed before disappearing into the closet. This entity is also believed to be responsible for stealing guests' possessions.
As famously portrayed in both the novel and movies, Room 217 (237 in real life) has also been the source of claims of paranormal activity and the room itself is considered infamous. Incidentally, King and his wife stayed in 237.
Like so many other locations with such abundant claims of paranormal activity, the Stanley Hotel has drawn the attention of the media and paranormal investigators from far and wide. The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) has investigated the hotel twice and both times were able to find logical explanations for a lot of the claims. In addition, Syfy's Ghost Hunters Academy held it's season finale there in 2010. The Ghost Adventures team also visited the Stanley and recorded several paranormal events. Other teams, including the Colorado-based Rocky Mountain Paranormal Research Society have conducted investigations there with varying results.
All in all the outcome of paranormal investigations at the Stanley Hotel are a bit inconclusive. The question of whether or not it's hallowed corridors (and ballroom) are truly haunted rests, as it usually does, with you.
But even if you decide the ghosts aren't real, you can catch a non-stop loop of Stanley Kubricks' unrated cut of The Shining on channel 42 in your room. Sweet dreams...
-AJ Retelle
Founder & Director
New Hampshire Paranormal Investigators
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Paranormal Investigation versus Ghost Hunting
In a previous post, we discussed the impact of paranormal TV shows such as Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures on the field of paranormal investigation. People are constantly asking us if what we do is "like the guys on TV." The short answer is... sort of. I mean no disrespect to TAPS or any of the other teams who have TV shows but what we here at NHPI do is different in a lot of ways.
First and foremost we consider ourselves paranormal investigators or researchers, not ghost hunters. When investigating a location our primary goal, the one which we use all our equipment and training to achieve, is to disprove the presence of paranormal activity. Our first instinct is to find logical explanations for the claims made by our clients. We do not go into a location "hunting" for ghosts or other supernatural phenomena.
We do use a lot of the same equipment you see on TV and even some of the same methods but our goals are very different. Sure when Jason and company first took to the airwaves they took the same approach we do, setting about debunking and disproving. But because of the nature of TV and what audiences want to see, their focus has shifted. It's not "wrong..." just different.
On an equally important note, our day-to-day work involves more than just going out on investigations. We're tasked with learning as much about a location as possible before we go in, through interviews and research. What you see on TV is the finished product... the result of a lot of hard work and dedication. To be honest, if NHPI were on TV it would be terribly boring, as casual viewers want to see something that will scare them or make them jump out of their seat.
So the next time you tune into Ghost Hunters or any other of the myriad paranormal TV shows... remember what you're seeing may be entertaining or even spooky but it's very different from the real deal.
Jake Freeman
FL Investigator
First and foremost we consider ourselves paranormal investigators or researchers, not ghost hunters. When investigating a location our primary goal, the one which we use all our equipment and training to achieve, is to disprove the presence of paranormal activity. Our first instinct is to find logical explanations for the claims made by our clients. We do not go into a location "hunting" for ghosts or other supernatural phenomena.
We do use a lot of the same equipment you see on TV and even some of the same methods but our goals are very different. Sure when Jason and company first took to the airwaves they took the same approach we do, setting about debunking and disproving. But because of the nature of TV and what audiences want to see, their focus has shifted. It's not "wrong..." just different.
On an equally important note, our day-to-day work involves more than just going out on investigations. We're tasked with learning as much about a location as possible before we go in, through interviews and research. What you see on TV is the finished product... the result of a lot of hard work and dedication. To be honest, if NHPI were on TV it would be terribly boring, as casual viewers want to see something that will scare them or make them jump out of their seat.
So the next time you tune into Ghost Hunters or any other of the myriad paranormal TV shows... remember what you're seeing may be entertaining or even spooky but it's very different from the real deal.
Jake Freeman
FL Investigator
Sunday, April 20, 2014
The Tragic Ghost of Tinseltown
Hollywood may be the home of celebrities, movies, and sun-soaked streets... but it's also the home of a tragic ghost story. Peg Entwistle, a Welsh-born stage and film actress, appeared in several Broadway productions and one feature film. Unfortunately she will forever be remembered for a very different reason.
On or around September 18, 1932 police received an anonymous phone call from a woman who had found a body in a ravine at the base of the world-famous Hollywood sign ('Hollywoodland' at the time). Entwistle's uncle eventually identified her after connecting a two-day absence and a suicide note he found. Peg Entwistle was only 24 at the time of her death, having jumped from the 'H' of the sign. Her exciting, yet tragically brief life was over... but it was not the last time the world would hear from Peg.
Over the years several park rangers have reported seeing a woman matching Entwistle's description wandering the paths of Griffith Park, where the sign is located. They always noted that the woman appeared sad and vanished when approached. Even a couple walking their dog encountered the apparition, which caused the dog to cower in fear behind them before disappearing yet again. The couple's description of the woman matched that of of the park rangers.
One ranger, John Arbogast, has reported seeing the apparition on several occasions noting she most often appears late at night in foggy weather, and accompanied by the scent of gardenias. A hiker came across Peg on one of the trails, claiming she had "a very etheric quality" and seemed to be gliding instead of walking.
The most notable recent encounter with the Hollywood sign spirit was by a group of four friends who had decided to touch the sign late one night after a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game. Even though Mount Lee where the sign is located is off limits, the friends hopped the fence and climbed to the top. On their way back down one of the group fell and got separated from the rest. As he made his way back to his friends, a woman dressed in 1930s fashion and wearing a veil over her face approached him. The witness claimed the apparition's footsteps made no sound. Following this ordeal, the man read the urban legend of the "Lady in White" and was convinced he'd encountered the ghost of Peg Entwistle.
With several confirmed sightings, it's certain a ghostly woman roams the area around the Hollywood sign. And based on the consistent descriptions of the woman, there's a very good chance it's Peg Entwistle... doomed to wander in the shadow of the symbol of her dreams.
-Anthony Olmos
California Investigator
On or around September 18, 1932 police received an anonymous phone call from a woman who had found a body in a ravine at the base of the world-famous Hollywood sign ('Hollywoodland' at the time). Entwistle's uncle eventually identified her after connecting a two-day absence and a suicide note he found. Peg Entwistle was only 24 at the time of her death, having jumped from the 'H' of the sign. Her exciting, yet tragically brief life was over... but it was not the last time the world would hear from Peg.
Over the years several park rangers have reported seeing a woman matching Entwistle's description wandering the paths of Griffith Park, where the sign is located. They always noted that the woman appeared sad and vanished when approached. Even a couple walking their dog encountered the apparition, which caused the dog to cower in fear behind them before disappearing yet again. The couple's description of the woman matched that of of the park rangers.
One ranger, John Arbogast, has reported seeing the apparition on several occasions noting she most often appears late at night in foggy weather, and accompanied by the scent of gardenias. A hiker came across Peg on one of the trails, claiming she had "a very etheric quality" and seemed to be gliding instead of walking.
The most notable recent encounter with the Hollywood sign spirit was by a group of four friends who had decided to touch the sign late one night after a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game. Even though Mount Lee where the sign is located is off limits, the friends hopped the fence and climbed to the top. On their way back down one of the group fell and got separated from the rest. As he made his way back to his friends, a woman dressed in 1930s fashion and wearing a veil over her face approached him. The witness claimed the apparition's footsteps made no sound. Following this ordeal, the man read the urban legend of the "Lady in White" and was convinced he'd encountered the ghost of Peg Entwistle.
With several confirmed sightings, it's certain a ghostly woman roams the area around the Hollywood sign. And based on the consistent descriptions of the woman, there's a very good chance it's Peg Entwistle... doomed to wander in the shadow of the symbol of her dreams.
-Anthony Olmos
California Investigator
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Of Men and Monsters
Normally when you think of the paranormal... ghosts and spirits are the first things that come to mind. However, there are many other fascinating topics that fall under the heading of paranormal. Whether it be UFOs, time travel, vampires, demonology, or cryptozoology, there are plenty of mysterious subjects to explore. But let's focus on the last one I mentioned... cryptozoology.
Dictionary.com defines it as "the study of evidence tending to substantiate the existence of, or the search for, creatures whose reported existence is unproved, as the Abominable Snowman or the Loch Ness monster." Based on that definition, it's very similar to the investigation of paranormal activity related to ghosts and spirits. There are numerous groups who investigate claims of Bigfoot, the Yeti, or "Nessie." But there's another ongoing pursuit that you may not be aware of... one that hits close to home for me... the search for "Champ."
Beautiful Lake Champlain is situated between New York, Vermont, and part of Canada. It is the home of Fort Ticonderoga, a key installation during the American Revolution. Many believe it is also home to a monster. Samuel de Champlain was the first to claim he'd seen something lurking beneath the surface. Countless other claims have followed, and the monster is even the inspiration of a minor league baseball team's name and mascot.
Some sources, including the Vermont Historical Society, have offered logical explanations such as floating logs, schools of large fish, and birds flying close to the water. But let's not be so quick to dismiss Champ's existence. There has also been some compelling evidence supporting the claims. Perhaps the most significant (and controversial) is the so-called "Mansi photo," taken by Sandra Mansi in 1977 while visiting the lake with her family.
This photograph has been examined extensively by experts who found no evidence of forgery. Mansi and her family also claimed the creature turned it's head, contradicting explanations of a floating log.
Other evidence collected in the search for Champ includes a 2005 video by two fishermen in which a plesiosaur-like creature can be seen. Although it was reviewed by two retired FBI forensic experts, both said there was no visible animal. Lastly, a 2003 expedition sponsored by the Discovery Channel recorded audio in three different parts of the lake, including the deepest part. The researchers reported the sounds were similar to that of a whale, but not made by any known animal.
So... all evidence and explanations aside the question still remains. Is there really a monster prowling the depths of Lake Champlain? Personally, I believe in Champ, having seen it for myself multiple times. I encourage all of you to get out there and explore, research, and seek the truth for yourselves. However... whether or not you believe in it, or any other paranormal phenomena for that matter, is completely up to you.
-Kimmie Zeiler
Investigator
Dictionary.com defines it as "the study of evidence tending to substantiate the existence of, or the search for, creatures whose reported existence is unproved, as the Abominable Snowman or the Loch Ness monster." Based on that definition, it's very similar to the investigation of paranormal activity related to ghosts and spirits. There are numerous groups who investigate claims of Bigfoot, the Yeti, or "Nessie." But there's another ongoing pursuit that you may not be aware of... one that hits close to home for me... the search for "Champ."
Beautiful Lake Champlain is situated between New York, Vermont, and part of Canada. It is the home of Fort Ticonderoga, a key installation during the American Revolution. Many believe it is also home to a monster. Samuel de Champlain was the first to claim he'd seen something lurking beneath the surface. Countless other claims have followed, and the monster is even the inspiration of a minor league baseball team's name and mascot.
Some sources, including the Vermont Historical Society, have offered logical explanations such as floating logs, schools of large fish, and birds flying close to the water. But let's not be so quick to dismiss Champ's existence. There has also been some compelling evidence supporting the claims. Perhaps the most significant (and controversial) is the so-called "Mansi photo," taken by Sandra Mansi in 1977 while visiting the lake with her family.
This photograph has been examined extensively by experts who found no evidence of forgery. Mansi and her family also claimed the creature turned it's head, contradicting explanations of a floating log.
Other evidence collected in the search for Champ includes a 2005 video by two fishermen in which a plesiosaur-like creature can be seen. Although it was reviewed by two retired FBI forensic experts, both said there was no visible animal. Lastly, a 2003 expedition sponsored by the Discovery Channel recorded audio in three different parts of the lake, including the deepest part. The researchers reported the sounds were similar to that of a whale, but not made by any known animal.
So... all evidence and explanations aside the question still remains. Is there really a monster prowling the depths of Lake Champlain? Personally, I believe in Champ, having seen it for myself multiple times. I encourage all of you to get out there and explore, research, and seek the truth for yourselves. However... whether or not you believe in it, or any other paranormal phenomena for that matter, is completely up to you.
-Kimmie Zeiler
Investigator
Monday, March 24, 2014
A call for para-unity
It's no secret the paranormal research field is a controversial one. The debate over whether or not paranormal activity is real or not is extremely polarizing. On a daily basis teams are faced with skepticism and criticism. Critics can be downright mean. It's not unheard of for a team to be called frauds or scam artists. NHPI has been attacked in this manner several times... and we are not alone.
Teams are criticized on a daily basis and it's an absolute shame. Our primary goal as paranormal investigators and researchers is to help people. We're out there to help anyone and everyone who is experiencing paranormal activity. At the end of the day we all share the same goal. And, in a perfect world all the teams would work together toward that common objective. Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world.
All too often individual team members and even entire teams turn on each other. There are seemingly endless postings on social media sites calling each other frauds, scam artists, or worst of all... personal attacks. There is absolutely no place for any of it. We are all in this together, and in order for our field to grow, thrive, and gain credibility, teams have to work as one... not against each other.
Paranormal unity and open communication among teams is crucial to the success and survival of this amazing field of ours, so I would ask each and every one of you to stop and think before you do or say something negative about one of your peers... stop and think about the greater good.
Teams are criticized on a daily basis and it's an absolute shame. Our primary goal as paranormal investigators and researchers is to help people. We're out there to help anyone and everyone who is experiencing paranormal activity. At the end of the day we all share the same goal. And, in a perfect world all the teams would work together toward that common objective. Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world.
All too often individual team members and even entire teams turn on each other. There are seemingly endless postings on social media sites calling each other frauds, scam artists, or worst of all... personal attacks. There is absolutely no place for any of it. We are all in this together, and in order for our field to grow, thrive, and gain credibility, teams have to work as one... not against each other.
Paranormal unity and open communication among teams is crucial to the success and survival of this amazing field of ours, so I would ask each and every one of you to stop and think before you do or say something negative about one of your peers... stop and think about the greater good.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Paranormal Investigatiing... made for TV?
It's nearly impossible to turn on your TV these days without seeing what seems like a never-ending selection of paranormal shows. This trend started back in 2004 when Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, two friends working for Roto-Rooter, brought The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) to Syfy. Although the first season only consisted of ten episodes, the show became a hit and is currently in the midst of it's ninth season. Inspired by the success of Ghost Hunters, there were soon other shows on the airwaves including: Paranormal State, Paranormal Witness, and Destination Truth.
It could be argued at first, these shows helped the field of paranormal research gain mainstream exposure and maybe even helped the field earn some credibility. There's no doubt in my mind the success of Ghost Hunters and, to a lesser extent, the other shows, allowed our field to grow in leaps and bounds. But now, ten years since Jason and Grant took to the airwaves, I believe paranormal TV has outlived it's usefulness. These shows seem to now focus too much on entertainment and making people jump out of their seats than on finding answers and helping people. I remember many early episodes of Ghost Hunters where they would barely obtain any evidence of paranormal activity and instead focus on finding logical explanations for claims made by clients.
Now it's the complete opposite. Please don't misunderstand me, I have nothing but the utmost respect for the entire TAPS team, but their show is now actually hurting the paranormal research field. Too many times I'm asked if what NHPI does is "like those guys on TV." People now assume what they see on SyFy is what a standard paranormal investigation is like. Yes, it's true we use some of the same equipment and employ many of the methods demonstrated on the show but our investigations have and will always emphasize disproving claims made by our clients, not "ghost hunting." There's a huge difference between investigating and hunting... but that debate is for another time.
-Sarah Caputo-
California Director
New Hampshire Paranormal Investigators
It could be argued at first, these shows helped the field of paranormal research gain mainstream exposure and maybe even helped the field earn some credibility. There's no doubt in my mind the success of Ghost Hunters and, to a lesser extent, the other shows, allowed our field to grow in leaps and bounds. But now, ten years since Jason and Grant took to the airwaves, I believe paranormal TV has outlived it's usefulness. These shows seem to now focus too much on entertainment and making people jump out of their seats than on finding answers and helping people. I remember many early episodes of Ghost Hunters where they would barely obtain any evidence of paranormal activity and instead focus on finding logical explanations for claims made by clients.
Now it's the complete opposite. Please don't misunderstand me, I have nothing but the utmost respect for the entire TAPS team, but their show is now actually hurting the paranormal research field. Too many times I'm asked if what NHPI does is "like those guys on TV." People now assume what they see on SyFy is what a standard paranormal investigation is like. Yes, it's true we use some of the same equipment and employ many of the methods demonstrated on the show but our investigations have and will always emphasize disproving claims made by our clients, not "ghost hunting." There's a huge difference between investigating and hunting... but that debate is for another time.
-Sarah Caputo-
California Director
New Hampshire Paranormal Investigators
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Voices from the Past
Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky opened in 1910 as a tuberculosis hospital, and closed in 1962, Waverly Hills is well known for it's turbulent past. It is also known as one of the most haunted places anywhere. For years paranormal researchers and enthusiasts have flocked to this historically significant building in search of answers.
But now, there is trouble on the horizon for Waverly Hills. Plans have been drafted and approved to convert it into a four-star hotel "catering to the haunted hotel crowd." There are some serious flaws with that plan. First and foremost, the "haunted hotel" crowd are nothing but thrill seekers who are just looking for a "scare" instead of serious researchers looking for answers and information. The real researchers will be driven away by the tourists. Second, there are many well-documented cases of renovations in historic buildings stirring up angry, and potentially harmful spirits and entities. A massive project such as the one proposed for Waverly Hills is sure to do just that... putting employees, construction workers, and above all, guests at risk.
It is becoming all too common a trend for historic buildings to be modified or torn down to make way for "progress." Waverly Hills cannot be allowed to become another casualty of this trend. Places like it must be preserved for future generations to learn from. The harsh truth is, we are doomed to repeat history if we do not learn from it. Having Waverly Hills preserved in it's original state is vital. Future paranormal researchers must be allowed to investigate and attempt to unearth it's secrets in order to prevent the atrocities committed there from ever being repeated.
We must preserve our history and learn from it... not destroy it to make way for "progress."
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