Things that go bump in the night
Greene County Museum open for paranormal investigations
Janis Rohanna is no stranger to the paranormal.
The executive assistant and events planner for the Greene County Historical Society has heard footsteps and voices, and seen an apparition of an older woman with long white hair in a nightgown at the county鈥檚 former poorhouse, now a museum.
鈥淧eople have reported activity there for as long as any of us can remember, and people tell stories about it all the time,鈥� Rohanna said.
The poorhouse- a term used in the 1800鈥檚 鈥� was a home for those who did not have a place to live, often providing quarters for those who were mentally ill. Historical society records indicate more than 800 people died on the property during its century-long operation.
That, Rohanna believes, plays a part in the paranormal activity.
Members of the historical society, which runs the museum, decided to let those who dare look for themselves. For a fee, anyone can undertake a paranormal investigation of their own.
Rohanna said the group came upon the idea after a 鈥淒estination Fear鈥� on the Travel Channel featured the museum鈥檚 potential hauntings in August 2021. Nearly 100 requests from individuals or groups wanted to conduct investigations came in after the show aired, she said.
鈥淎 lot of people don鈥檛 even know the museum鈥檚 here, so it brings that to their attention,鈥� Rohanna said. 鈥淚t was a bonus effect we did not anticipate.鈥�
Since then, about one paranormal group a week on average rents the space, hoping to confirm or debunk hauntings.
While there are a variety of apparitions that people have seen, one of the most common ones is a young boy who is seen typically in the barn. Rohanna theorizes that some paranormal activity also comes from the artifacts that people have donated to the historical society.
In addition to heightened awareness of the museum, one of the biggest benefits of the investigations has been financial.
鈥淚t has become a very important part of our income to keep the museum going,鈥� Rohanna said.
The additional income has enabled the historical society to work on new projects, such as refurbishing the building鈥檚 150 windows to make them functional. The museum does not have air conditioning, so before the windows鈥� refurbishment, the building would get very hot during the summer months.
鈥淗aving the windows makes a tremendous difference in here,鈥� Rohanna said.
An additional benefit has been deepened relationships with the paranormal community. Earlier this month, the museum hosted Poor Farm Para-Con, bringing in speakers to discuss paranormal topics and offering a VIP guided investigation in the evening led by members of the web series Spiritual Walk Paranormal.
The convention is just another way the historical society can capitalize on the museum鈥檚 unique history.
鈥淚 would just like to thank all the people that have come here in the past to investigate for their support at the museum,鈥� Rohanna said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e met some really great people who have really fallen in love with this place and become friends at the museum and the staff.鈥�
Paranormal investigations can be scheduled for six, eight or 10 hours and are not open to those under the age of 14. For additional information, email gchs1925@gmail.com or visit greenecountyhistory.org.