Things that go bump in the night: Greene museum open for paranormal investigations
Courtesy of Danny Strakal
Janis Rohanna is no stranger to the paranormal.
The executive assistant and events planner for the Greene County Historical Society says she has heard footsteps and voices, and once saw an apparition of an older woman with long, white hair in a nightgown at the county’s former poorhouse, now a museum.
“People have reported activity there for as long as any of us can remember, and people tell stories about it all the time,” Rohanna said.
The poorhouse – a term used in the 1800s – 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 “Destination Fear” on the Travel Channel featured the museum’s suspected hauntings in August 2021. Nearly 100 requests from individuals or groups who wanted to conduct investigations came in after the show aired, she said.
“A lot of people don’t even know the museum’s here, so it brings that to their attention,” Rohanna said. “It was a bonus effect we did not anticipate.”
Since then, about one paranormal group a week on average rents the space, hoping to confirm or debunk the notion of hauntings.
While there are a variety of apparitions that people claim to have seen, one of the most common is of a young boy in the barn. Rohanna theorizes that some reported paranormal activity also comes from artifacts that have been donated to the historical society.
In addition to the increased awareness of the museum, one of the biggest benefits of the investigations has been financial.
“It has become a very important part of our income to keep the museum going,” Rohanna said.
The additional income has enabled the historical society to work on new projects, such as refurbishing the building’s 150 windows to make them functional. The museum does not have air conditioning, so before the windows’ restoration, the building would get very hot during the summer months.
“Having the windows makes a tremendous difference in here,” Rohanna said.
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’s unique history.
“I would just like to thank all the people that have come here in the past to investigate for their support at the museum,” Rohanna said. “We’ve met some really great people who have really fallen in love with this place and become friends at the museum and the staff.”
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.