Investigators find ghosts and capture EVPs during exciting weekend event in Gettysburg

Scott Crownover discusses his innovative infrared photography techniques.

Mark Nesbitt’s Ghosts of Gettysburg recent “Ghost Quest” event at the very haunted James Gettys Hotel was filled with spirits and paranormal phenomena at four different investigation sites. Participants were able to conduct investigations at the hotel itself, at the American Civil War Museum, at a privately-owned portion of the battlefield, and at the Ghosts of Gettysburg headquarters.

Laine Crosby demonstrates how to feel energy.

Team Nesbitt includes: Mark Nesbitt, Ghosts of Gettysburg author and retired Gettysburg Park Ranger/Historian; Carol Nesbitt, Paranormal Researcher; Laine Crosby, Investigative Medium;  Patty Wilson, Author and Sensitive, and Scott Crownover, Photographer and Paranormal Researcher. Team Nesbitt offers a wide variety of special events, including investigations at some of the most haunted locations in Gettysburg, “America’s most haunted town.” Mark Nesbitt is also the owner of the “Ghosts of Gettysburg Candlelight Walking Tours,” voted the #1 ghost tour in the world by the readers of www.HauntedAmericaTours.com.

According to Mark Nesbitt, “Something new happens on every one of these weekend events. I think the team often learns as much as the participants. It all adds to our knowledge of the paranormal.”

Weekend Itinerary Offers Something For Everyone

There are some significant advantages to investigating with a group such as Ghosts of Gettysburg.  The members are experienced professionals in this field and can help ensure that those who may be new to the paranormal get started on the right path.  One attendee commented, “I feel that this is a very safe and supportive environment in which to develop my psychic skills. I’d be a little hesitant to try this on my own.”  The limited size of the group also allows for extensive hands-on practice, along with individualized attention so that everyone’s questions are answered satisfactorily. By the time the weekend is over, participants feel comfortable with the equipment and techniques used in modern paranormal investigating.   In addition, many of these venues are not open to the public and would not be accessible otherwise.

The James Gettys “Ghost Quest” weekend kicked off with a welcome reception Friday evening in the hotel’s Art Gallery.  Participants were able to informally meet the team, as well as each other, and discuss plans for the upcoming activities.  The Ghosts of Gettysburg provides an impressive selection of paranormal investigation equipment for participants, including digital tape recorders, infrared game cameras, digital and quick read thermometers, two types of EMF meters, and the old standbys, pendulums and dowsing rods, along with instructions on proper use of this equipment. Mark, who has captured thousands of EVPs in his career, also shared his tips and techniques with the group. At 10:30 pm, everyone headed off to conduct an investigation of the James Gettys Hotel.

Spirits Speak at the James Gettys Hotel

The property on which the James Gettys Hotel is built has been occupied continuously since the late 1700s. It’s served as a hotel, restaurant, offices, and temperance house, among other incarnations.  During this particular weekend, Laine met several Union and Confederate soldiers and saw the spirit of a little boy in her room. She says she left the TV tuned to the Cartoon Channel to keep him happy.

According to Laine, there are many spirits in this hotel at any given time. Some are spirits who may have already crossed over and come back and forth to visit, while others are ghosts who are reluctant to move on for a variety of reasons. Patty was able to determine that the present day Art Gallery was most likely an alley of some sort during the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg and there are still Union and Confederate soldiers present. A Union officer told one of the sensitive investigators that he knew that he was dead, but he would not be moving on until all of his men had safely crossed over first. Laine and Patty were able to help some of his soldiers cross over successfully, but others refused to move on. The officer, who would not give his name, is among those who stayed behind.

Ghost Hunters Investigate Additional Sites

The action-packed Saturday schedule included Scott Crownover’s presentation on using infrared photography to obtain ghost photos in the daylight, along with Patty and Laine’s “Discover the Psychic Within You.” Scott has captured some amazing paranormal photos with his infrared photography technique. After his presentation, Patty and Laine led the group through a series of exercises designed to teach them to open up to feeling energy and receiving subtle messages from spirits. Everyone especially enjoyed the psychometry experiment and the readings were extremely accurate.

In the afternoon, participants embarked on an investigation of the American Civil War Museum, followed by a visit to a privately-owned portion of the battlefield and a late night investigation of the Ghosts of Gettysburg headquarters.

At the American Civil War Museum, Laine encountered a woman named Ellen Tribideau in front of the Clara Barton exhibit, demanding to know “Aren’t you going to help?” Apparently, she expected Laine to help care for the wounded, although Laine was not picking up any additional spirits around this woman. Ellen did not know that she was dead. She had been part of a wagon train, heading from Canada to Carolina in 1741. She related a harrowing tale of an Indian attack, in which she saw her husband die and her children killed in front of her eyes. She herself had been tortured and subsequently killed under extremely traumatic conditions, but she was apparently unable to accept her own death. 

Eventually Laine, Patty, and three other sensitives on the investigation called in Ellen’s family – her husband, children, and family members, including her beloved Aunt Rachel. Laine says they came through the white light to escort Ellen home and end her torment. Ellen was finally ready to go with them and thanked everyone for their help before she disappeared into the light.

Patty and Laine also encountered an unusual father/son duo, John and Richard Stone. John was a clockmaker whose shop had been in the location where the museum now stands. John came across to Patty as rather nasty. As the story unfolded, Richard communicated to Laine: “I can’t go to Heaven; I’ve committed murder.” As Laine relayed this information to Patty, Patty whispered “I know what happened.” Apparently, Richard – the son – murdered John, his father. Both were convinced that they would not be allowed to enter into Heaven if they tried.

Laine says this is a perfect example of the way that she and Patty work together to get different parts of the same story so that they can eventually put it all together.  “She’s very talented and I love working with her,” Laine says about her colleague and friend.

Investigators Capture Several EVPs

Before heading to the next investigation, attendees practiced remote viewing this secret undisclosed location. Upon arriving at the privately-owned battlefield site, Mark explained the history of the location and the investigators checked their clairvoyant success and then practiced taking infrared photography and capturing EVP. The group wrapped up their day with a late night investigation at the Ghosts of Gettysburg headquarters, where they captured several excellent EVPs, talked with spirits who reside there, and practiced exercises in clairvoyance.

Listen to EVPs

Click on this link to listen to the EVPs from this busy weekend of investigations.

Additional Events Planned at James Gettys Hotel

Team Nesbitt is already planning another “Ghost Quest” weekend at the James Gettys Hotel on March 11 - 13, 2011. For reservations or more information, contact info@jamesgettyshotel.com.