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STRAWBERRY HILL MUSEUM - STRANGE EVENTS |
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Please check out the Unusual Photos, Apparent Mist, and Possible EVP's sections of this investigation report for unusual evidence we gathered, and our in-depth and comprehensive analysis of that evidence. This section of our investigation report deals with several interesting events that we encountered during the Strawberry Hill Museum investigation. We were constantly searching for natural explanations for these events, for every natural explanation must be examined and excluded before you begin to consider something paranormal. Here are the strange events and our analysis of each of them.... COLD SPOTS IN THE GIRLS DORMITORY? Dave and Shawn spent some time sitting in the Girl's Dormitory. This room was one of the warmest rooms in the museum. After being in the room awhile, Dave felt that the room had become much colder...and he was experiencing chills to the point where he was getting goosebumps.
It is a commonly held belief among paranormal investigators that a drop in temperature of "cold spots" will sometimes occur in the presence of paranormal activity or spirits. There are several theories for why this occurs. Some simply believe that ghosts are cold. Other postulate that in order to manifest, ghosts must draw energy from the area around them. This energy drain reportedly causes a drop in temperature of the air, an object, or even people. One of the major problems with using "cold spots" as an indicator of paranormal activity is the fact that many paranormal investigations (this one included) take place in older buildings, which tend to have uneven heat, drafty windows and doors, and poor insulation. All of these factors can cause rapid temperature changes. We were unable to get instrument readings on the temperature drop that Dave reported. And Dave was the first to point out that it could have simply been a draft. But its important to record all of the unusual sensations, occurances, and events that we encounter during the investigation...whether we have natural explanations for the phenomenon...or not. FEELINGS OF A PRESENCE AND ANGER IN THE DORMITORY HALLWAY Chris, one of our investigators, was was struck with a feeling of anger and frustration in the Dormitory Hallway. Whenever he passed through this area, he was feeling that there was a presence there, and that the presence was angry.
Chris does not purport himself to be psychic or a spirit medium, but its important to not completely disregard hunches and gut-feelings when on an investigation. Do we consider the feelings Chris picked up on in this hallway to be proof of paranormal activity? No. But we did decide to focus more attention on this area based on Chris' perceptions in this area. We placed one of our trigger objects (a toy) in this area, took several photographs here throughout the night, and did some EVP work here with an audio recorder. See our Possible EVPs section of this investigation report for details on a strange audio recording we captured in this area. CLOTH BILLOWING BETWEEN BATHROOM AND DORMITORY HALLWAY
SMELL OF PLAYDOUGH OR BABYPOWDER IN TWO LOCATIONS When Dave and Shawn were in the Nun's Hallway, both Dave and Shawn smelled an odd smell. Dave felt the smell was a "playdough" smell...while Shawn felt it was a "babypowder" smell. But both agree there was a strong smell in the Nun's Hallway that came and went without explanation.
Later in the night, after Dave descended the stairs from the 1st floor into the basement, he encountered the same "playdough" smell in the long basement hallway...and then a little way into the Laundry Room area.
Odd out-of-place smells that come and go can be paranormal in nature. It is believed that they are usually a result of residual energy, though some intelligent hauntings have been known to generate odors (i.e., roses, a certain perfume, etc.) Dave pointed out the possibility that there really was some playdough hidden away somewhere. After all, the museum was once an orphanage. It is also possible that the odor was caused by another substance with a similar odor. One possiblity that would explain the odor being smelled in two different locations of the museum, would be that the odor's source was a cleaning product used to clean the museum. We did not have time to test this theory. TOYS AS TRIGGER OBJECTS IN FOUR LOCATIONS We took into consideration the fact that the Strawberry Hill Museum was actually the St. John's Childrens Home (an orphanage) from 1919 until 1988 when choosing our trigger objects. Over 3000 children called the orphanage home over the 69 years the nun's operated the orphanage.
Our hope was that one or more of the trigger objects would be moved by something unseen...serving as evidence of paranormal activity. But in fact, none of the trigger objects were found to have moved. We did get a possible EVP recording in the presence of one of the trigger objects. If that EVP is indeed paranormal in nature, we should consider the fact that the trigger object (though unmoved) may have served to "stir things up" in that area. See the Possible EVP's section of this investigation report for details. I-POD BATTERY DRAIN IN THE 3rd FLOOR CLOSET Just as paranormal activity and ghosts reportedly cause "cold spots" by drawing the energy to manifest from the warmth of the air, it is said that paranormal activity and ghosts can drain the energy away from electronic items and especially batteries. At least that is the theory held by many.
When he returned to the closet to retrieve his I-Pod he found that the battery was dead, despite the fact he charged it prior to the investigation. Shawn later found that the I-Pod had recorded for 4 minutes and 19 seconds before the battery went dead and it stopped recording. It is difficult to come to a definitive conclusion when it comes to equipment malfunctions...because equipment can often malfunction for natural reasons...in locations with absolutely no paranormal activity. When Shawn returned home, he charged the I-Pod back up, and put it on "record" mode at home. It recorded for nearly 3 hours before the battery went dead. We are unsure why the battery went dead after only 4 minutes in the 3rd floor closet. UNEXPLAINED (AND EXPLAINED) EMF READINGS THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT
Below are Dave's EMF notes from the investigation. The one room with clearly "unexplained" EMF readings was the Chapel. Dave had written on his notes to check back in that room with the EMF detector, but we ran out of time and were unable to check the room again.
Having completed an analysis of the unusual events we encountered at the Strawberry Hill Museum, we can now say that none of these experiences provide conclusive evidence of paranormal activity during our first 4-hour investigation. While our experiences were interesting, and some remain unexplained...they do not constitute conclusive evidence. -Mark Stinson |
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