| The Asylum I 2008 |
Background:
I had heard about this old mental asylum in New York state
through my wife and co-founder of Port City Paranormal. Jane is
originally from this area so she related all the tales she heard when
she was growing up when the asylum was still in operation. On a
previous visit we had taken photos of the dark forbidding buildings
and decided that we would bring our equipment on our next
vacation, just in case! In September of 2008 we returned the area
for a full investigation with the permission of the N.Y.S.D.O.C.
The grounds remain off limits to the general public.
The first day it was cool, foggy and threatening rain. We drove
toward a group of buildings that were decayed and abandoned,
expecting nothing but a few background pictures.
I had heard about this old mental asylum in New York state
through my wife and co-founder of Port City Paranormal. Jane is
originally from this area so she related all the tales she heard when
she was growing up when the asylum was still in operation. On a
previous visit we had taken photos of the dark forbidding buildings
and decided that we would bring our equipment on our next
vacation, just in case! In September of 2008 we returned the area
for a full investigation with the permission of the N.Y.S.D.O.C.
The grounds remain off limits to the general public.
The first day it was cool, foggy and threatening rain. We drove
toward a group of buildings that were decayed and abandoned,
expecting nothing but a few background pictures.
Equipment:
Sony DCR-DVD305 Handycam, Sony Digital Audio
Recorders, KII EMF Meter,Digital EMF Meter, Stanley
Magnetic/Electrical Detector with alarm, Nikon Digital Still
Camera, Olympus Digital Still Camera.
Sony DCR-DVD305 Handycam, Sony Digital Audio
Recorders, KII EMF Meter,Digital EMF Meter, Stanley
Magnetic/Electrical Detector with alarm, Nikon Digital Still
Camera, Olympus Digital Still Camera.
Investigation: session 1
That first day, with our cameras, digital sound recorders and EMF
meters we covered the perimeter of one of the oldest buildings. The
structure was in such disrepair we could not enter. The hand made
bricks were slowly disintegrating since the day the asylum closed in
1995. Somehow the aura of pain, fear and suffering still permeated the
grounds. Due to the dangerous condition of the buildings and the
nearby DOC facility we began our research in the daylight.
With recorders running,we took video and still pictures of the exterior.
Since it was daytime, the pictures and video are all ambient light
photos. Although there was no longer power coming to the building,
we took baseline EMF readings as we finished our circuit of the
building.
On the second pass we used the KII meter and began our EVP session.
That first day, with our cameras, digital sound recorders and EMF
meters we covered the perimeter of one of the oldest buildings. The
structure was in such disrepair we could not enter. The hand made
bricks were slowly disintegrating since the day the asylum closed in
1995. Somehow the aura of pain, fear and suffering still permeated the
grounds. Due to the dangerous condition of the buildings and the
nearby DOC facility we began our research in the daylight.
With recorders running,we took video and still pictures of the exterior.
Since it was daytime, the pictures and video are all ambient light
photos. Although there was no longer power coming to the building,
we took baseline EMF readings as we finished our circuit of the
building.
On the second pass we used the KII meter and began our EVP session.
During this second sweep, we noted several intense spikes on the KII
meters. At one point, a sequence of KII readings that seemed to be in
response to some questions. Both Jane and I became extremely
lightheaded and we decided to end our session. At dusk, we packed up
and decided to return the next evening to continue our coverage of the
Maples Building.
Later at the cottage, looking at all the photos and video, we found no
anomalies. As we listened to the recordings we were surprised at the
unusual number of very clear EVP we had captured. As we compared
the KII spikes on video they matched many EVP responses we received
in answer to our questions. We were shocked to find we had only spent
two hours time at the site.
We began the second day researching the history of the
asylum in the local village archives. Dating back to the 1860's,
the little hamlet grew to support the asylum and it's
employees.
Since 1869 the asylum was considered to be "a blessing to
thousands of unfortunate - a refuge for the chronic insane and
better care of the insane poor". For over 100 years the asylum
provided care for patients, not all of whom were insane.
Session II investigation started in the early evening and
continued past dark. Once again our results were exciting.
We had recorded more very striking EVP, one of them was
the same voice recorded the first day. Once again, the voices
were active responses or comments to things we said or
questions asked.
Conclusions:
With the number of clear EVP responses,supported by EMF
readings, we would have to say there is definitely paranormal
phenomena occurring at and around the Maples building of
the Asylum. We felt there was much more research to be
done here as the grounds are expansive.
We received permission continued this investigation in the
Spring of 2009. Port City Paranormal was able to further study
the Maples,other areas and two buildings of the Asylum. The
history of this facility is well documented but there are many
gaps and missing pieces. We will continue our research, to
learn all we can before our next investigation.
With the number of clear EVP responses,supported by EMF
readings, we would have to say there is definitely paranormal
phenomena occurring at and around the Maples building of
the Asylum. We felt there was much more research to be
done here as the grounds are expansive.
We received permission continued this investigation in the
Spring of 2009. Port City Paranormal was able to further study
the Maples,other areas and two buildings of the Asylum. The
history of this facility is well documented but there are many
gaps and missing pieces. We will continue our research, to
learn all we can before our next investigation.
