TAPS Visits Amos J. Blake Museum
~ Written By Bobby Elgee ~
This posting 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, a team founded by the museums curator. These events were documented on their 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.
It is unclear to me why this information was deleted. I certainly enjoyed following the reported activity and even though I considered the purported “evidence” to be highly exaggerated, I found it very entertaining. I also noticed that the curators biography and picture–which appeared on the site as the group’s founder–have been removed as well, though this individual continues to be listed as the group’s director on it’s home page. Addendum: As of July 17th, this biography had been restored.
At this point in time, the only place I can find any significant documentation of any paranormal investigations conducted at the museum is on Dark Nights Paranormal’s Web site, a small team of savvy investigators based in Brattleboro, VT.
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.
“I don’t believe in the after life,
although I’m bringing a change of underwear.”
–Woody Allen
Visit Bobby Elgee’s site: http://www.nhghosts.com/
the reason why your data was removed is because the curator you speak of almost LOST HER JOB over it. only certain groups (like TAPS) had been passed by the board of directors, and they were the only ones that had permission to publicize and evidence they found. other groups were brought in, but it was specified that the evidence was not for public consumption. I was in one of those groups.
the board of directors had full knowledge of TAPS being there. one member of the board changed their mind and decided to blow it out of proportion. the rumor is that his wife saw the TAPS vans and had a fit…and in order not to have to sleep on the couch, he changed his mind on the whole thing.
things are sorting themselves out over there and should be in our favor..but we need to let the dust settle before anything goes on there again. after the ghosthunters episode comes out, we;ll see how it goes.
Thanks for the inside information, but you may have misread part of the article–probably due to my convoluted writing. I haven’t had any information on my groups investigations of the museum up on my web site for at least 6 months.
Once the curator of the museum abruptly left my group early this year–under less then desirable circumstances–I immediately removed all “evidence” of the Amos J. Blake Museum from our Web pages. The curator initially gave us permission to post the information we did have up, and though this permission was never officially rescinded, I decided at that point in time that I didn’t want to be associated with either the individual or the location in terms of specific photos, audio, or content.
I appreciate you providing this information, and am looking forward to seeing TAPS investigation of this location on an upcoming episode of ghost hunters.
A new debate has arisen in regards to whether the television show Ghost Hunters being spoofed by last nights episode of South Park will have a positive or negative effect on T.A.P.S. as an organization, the television show Ghost Hunters, and paranormal investigation in general.
Here’s the link to the recent buzz….
http://scifake.com/?p=2016#comments
The television show Ghost Hunters is set to air an episode entitled New Hampshire Gothic on November 11, 2009. More details are forthcoming, but its suspected that the episode is at the location mentioned in the article above.
Review/Comments regarding Ghost Hunters Episode “New Hampshire Gothic” that featured the Amos J. Blake House Museum in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire.
Concerning the ‘evidence’ that TAPS did gather, I believe that the ‘ghost cat’ could be debunked by assuming that a stray cat had recently made its way into the basement due to the advent of the cold weather. However, I can’t confirm this hypothesis and having been in the basement on multiple occasions, it appeared to be fairly secure. Still, you have to assume that this is more likely then the existence of a ghost cat.
As far as the chain moving and the pitchfork falling over, I found this suspicious. Having been in the location many times, all the furniture, etc. was placed pretty much as I remember it. One thing that I certainly don’t remember is the chain and the pitchfork. It seemed out of place to me. It appears unusual that these objects were in the location and placed as they were. I am unsure why, with many valuable artifacts around, one would stand a pitchfork on end and lean it against the wall where it could easily fall over.
In addition, considering the way a board could be stepped on in an old house, and something moves–the door latch upstairs did this earlier and Jason clearly points out that shifting boards can cause things to move–I propose that the investigators walking by could have triggered the movement by this principle. I’d have to see the footage analyzed by a physicist before I was really convinced that the event was paranormal in origin. It all just seems a little too convenient or coincidental to me. I do try very hard to debunk phenomena and believe that too often people resort to ‘ghostly’ explanations for phenomena with environmental causes.
Finally–and perhaps the most interesting–is the fact that the curator of the museum and the ‘volunteer’ that was interviewed are both members of a paranormal investigation team that formed after it was discovered TAPS was going to investigate the location. It was shortly after the group was formed that reports of multiple apparitions and conscious spirits haunting the location were reported and I suspect that the ‘evidence’ was highly exaggerated–or at least not thoroughly debunked–in an effort to pique TAPS interest.
Both the curator of the museum and the ‘volunteer’ are both former members of Sights Unseen Paranormal, but quit and formed their own group shortly after learning that TAPS was set to investigate the museum. This seems suspicious to me, especially when combined with the ‘explosion’ of paranormal activity reported at the location by this group shortly after it was formed in the lead up to the television episode featuring the locale.
As an aside, I feel I need to address the issue of ‘not-being-on-Ghost Hunters-envy’ that has been suggested by certain individuals to explain my interest in the location and developments related to the recent television episode. So, to go on record, Sights Unseen Paranormal generally eschews publicity. In the last several months I have referred a television producer and two newspaper reporters to another group whom I hold in high esteem. And I for one, have no burning desire to become a TAPS affiliate, meet Jason or Grant, nor do I generally watch the television show. Certainly, I admire them for contributing to the recent explosion in interest in the paranormal, but that’s really as far as it goes.
To sum up, I do firmly believe that something is going on in the museum and would rate it a 2 out of 10 regarding possible paranormal activity and I’ve recorded a disembodied voice and had a cold spot sit on my shoulder while investigating the Amos J. Blake House Museum.
TAPS did do a good job debunking. I popped the same door Steve did using the same method last year during an investigation. For me, the smell of cat urine and a pitch fork falling over (even with the chain moving) aren’t enough for me–nor TAPS–to consider the place really haunted.
I watch this series since the beginning, and I’m still a fan! South Park is really a series that I love because they talk about hot topic with great derision