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One of my biggest travel tips for people is to check event calendars in a location you’re visiting. It’s a great way to find local, less “touristy” things to do whilst you’re in town. That’s exactly how I found about about the paranormal investigation at the Hanover Tavern in Hanover, VA just outside of Richmond, VA. Transcend Paranormal was hosting a paranormal investigation of the Hanover Tavern, Old Jail, Courthouse, and the Nutshell House.
For $50 we spent four hours, one in each location, using high tech ghost hunting equipment, like EMF Meters and digital voice recorders. I love a good ghost story and I have been on several ghost tours and the like in various locations, but this is the first time I’ve ever been able to play around with the proper equipment (except when I EMFed Robert the Doll in Key West).
I think the most compelling evidence was gathered from the flashlight reading. This is where a twist top flashlight is left just barely off, then when the spirits are asked questions they are able to turn the flashlight on and off based on their answers. I will say that a lot of this could be explained away by subtle movements in the floor, but it was still a very cool experience for believers and skeptics alike.
The Hanover Tavern featured a theater, a portion of which was destroyed in a fire years ago and is reportedly haunted by the victims.
The Old Jail was my favorite of the locations and was the sight of the hanging of at least 4 people. It is reportedly haunted by the spirit of a man who was hung there. We got several good flashlight readings. Although we were encouraged to take photos during the investigation, for some reason my camera would not work inside the jail. I did get a couple shots of the outside, however.
The Courthouse was where many of the prisoners that were hung at the jail were sentenced. Here we got many good flashlight readings, and heard a lot of banging and movement in the room next door. We were told that the courthouse was haunted by the ghost of a Union soldier from the Civil War.
The Nutshell House was built in the 1700s and has had many different residence throughout it’s history. Unfortunately, now it is scheduled to be torn town. It’s in a state of disrepair, but it’s a really cool property. We got some pretty good readings in an upstairs room that’s supposed to be inhabited by the ghost of a little girl. Here we got a lot of activity on the flashlights and the EMF Meters.
The big reveal of the voice recordings and other data from the investigation is scheduled for May 30th and unfortunately, I don’t think I will be able to make it back to Richmond. Transcend Paranormal will also be doing another investigation at the time. I highly recommend attending, whether you believe in ghosts or not. We didn’t get a lot of definitive evidence (unless you see something in my photos that I don’t), but it was still a great time.
If anyone ends up attending the reveal on May 30th, let me know if the ghosts say “hi”.
Have you had any paranormal experiences in your travels? I would love to hear the story!
This sounds like a really unique experience. I definitely check local events for the dates that I’m travelling somewhere now. I’ve missed some great things in the past and so it makes me even more aware of doing a bit of research/planning despite being last minute and winging it a lot of the time! Thanks for sharing
Kate recently posted…Why I Love Travelling Between England and Scotland
Checking an event calendar before traveling somewhere is such a great travel tip! You never know if there might be something super awesome that happens to be going on while you’re there!
This sounds like it’d be a lot of fun–Supernatural is one of my favorite shows, so I’d definitely be channeling that if I were there! :O
Wow, this is crazy! I don’t know if I actually have the guts to do this. I love scary movies but when it comes to stuff in real life, I don’t think I can handle it lol
Lieurene Tran recently posted…The Liebster Award Nomination
How spooky! You are much braver than me! Very cool 🙂
The Adventure Ahead recently posted…Finding the Volio Waterfall
This is crazy cool! You are way more brave than I would be I would have been running scared.
Renee @ Bendiful Blog recently posted…Power Planks Workout
That’s definitely probably one of the most frightening tours someone can take, but it certainly sparks my interest. I would sign up in a heartbeat. It most of been an assume experience to be part of it.
Carmen | Carmen’s Luxury Travel recently posted…Codorniu Cava Winery Tour
This looks like a fun way to spend an evening. I think my favorite ghost experience was watching the Syfy ghost hunters work while on Dry Tortuga National Park.
Jennifer @ Made all the Difference Travel Blog recently posted…8 Great Reason to Work in Mount Rainier National Park
I love wild, extreme adventures but I don’t know if I’d like this one.
Lesley recently posted…10 Wild Bucket List Ideas
“For some reason my camera wouldn’t work…” That’s them messing with you! What a great experience!
Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru recently posted…Walking Costa Brava: A Walk on the Wild Side
wow, I dont think I would ever go on a ghost / paranormal experience….I´d be freaking out the whole time! jajaja, good on you but maybe it would have been cool to see some ghosts! right? Hi ghosts!!!
Curious to hear the results – I hope you will keep us updated.
Jen recently posted…Saltimbocca alla Romana
Oh wow this sounds like a lot of fun! I’d probably pretend I wasn’t scared but actually be totally freaked out!
Sophie recently posted…5 Reasons to visit Kuala Lumpur
What a cool experience! I love watching paranormal TV shows, so I bet I would love this… and be freaked out all at the same time 😉
Hannah @CleanEatingVeggieGirl recently posted…Homemade Grain-Free Tortilla Chips {Vegan + Gluten-Free}
I actually never thought about checking the local event calendars! Should do that from now on!
Olga recently posted…16 Beautiful Mountain Towns in Europe
This would totally freak me out! It looks like you had fun though
Dana recently posted…Can Segura Hotel Restaurant – High Quality at a Reasonable Price
I first read the title as “The Hangover Tavern, and was like this place sounds awesome! I’m terrible about checking about local events when traveling with kids, and have been caught up in bike races, biker rallies, and wine festivals. I think it can both ways. Sometime you want to avoid local craziness when traveling if you’re trying to get away for some peace and quiet.
Ralph recently posted…Weekend in Lone Pine – Exploring Alabama Hills and Onion Valley
Lovely fun read! I was only having a talk the this morning with someone as to if they had ever seen ghost or not!
Dave from Daves Travel Pages recently posted…2 Day Peloponnese Tour : Greece Travel Guide
I love stuff like that! I was really hoping to see one this time!
[…] originally wanted to tour Eastern State Penitentiary because of my bizarre love of ghost stories, but when I first got inside and was greeted by Steve Buscemi’s lovely face, I realized this […]
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