A Word From Beyond

News From David Raby and The Shadows WIthin

August 2024 - Vol. 4 Issue 6

 

Twilight in Salem, Massachusetts. Over the years we conducted several paranormal investigations in this city known for witch trials, maritime history, and the paranormal.

EVIDENCE & RECAP FROM OUR JULY 13, 2024 EVENT AT VENTFORT HALL

I knew the evening was going to be a challenge when in the very first room I heard the dreaded "he is here" response from the Phasmabox. For those that do not know, it is one of two phrases that causes me nightmares - the other being "he is coming". Who is this 'he'? My belief is that the mystery man is the pastor, and when he is around, the other spirits that we typically communicate with seem to hide. That did not stop the sold-out group from hearing some interesting responses from the Phasmabox, however.

 

In Mrs. Morgan's room, some of us smelled a floral perfume and the smell of tobacco - two common claims in this location. The Phasmabox had very relevant responses of "Morgan" and "Mr. Morgan" during the investigation. Our friend Bruce made a brief appearance, just announcing that he was there. Some guests were even lucky enough to see a shadow figure between the two beds in Mrs. Morgan's room.

 

We received several new names that we have not yet recorded yet - Rich, Nathan, Sheldon, and Astley. It is unknown if these are one-and-done communications, spirits that came in with guests, or if they will be a larger part of future events. While I brought trigger objects, including mini-alcohol bottles, one spirit was quite demanding as they asked for a "couple of beers". In May, they asked me where the wine was. While I usually take requests from spirits, I only have so much room in our kit to lug around a mini package store for the spirits. Unfortunately, the lights in the dining room were not turned off at all, an unusual occurrence.

 

While we received a decent amount of intelligent Phasmabox responses, I was amazed that many of other items that are typically triggered by spirits were quiet throughout the evening. One guest joked that they could have been grumpy because of how hot it was during the evening. I know our guests that night were some hearty individuals as our temperature gauges showed us readings of between eighty-two and eighty-seven degrees on the second floor. We typically have one investigation in July each year at Ventfort and this past one was unusual in how peaceful the mansion seemed. Unusual in that it was close to the anniversaries of both Robert Gould Shaw and Sarah Morgan - two deaths that left an imprint on the land. But, as usual, we had a fun evening with great guests as we communicated with the spirits at the mansion. We are excited to see what our next investigation of Ventfort will bring - Saturday, November 2.

 

The video below gives the highlights of this investigation.

 

EVIDENCE VIDEO FROM OUR JULY 13, 2024 VENTFORT HALL EVENT

EVIDENCE & RECAP FROM OUR JULY 19, 2024 EVENT AT FORT ADAMS

 

It was a beautiful evening in Newport for an investigation and the sold-out crowd were welcomed by the spirits of Fort Adams with many interesting - and surprising - responses. The night was odd in that many of the spaces that are typically very active, were quiet in that our REM devices were largely quiet (except for the Officer's Quarters), and there were no unusual lights or shadows seen. But, as I mentioned, while going through the evidence, we were surprised by some of the Phasmabox responses. I think this investigation brought the biggest surprises in relation to Phasmabox evidence.

 

The responses started almost immediately in the tunnels, when a friendly spirit returned a 'Good evening' greeting. In the span of eight minutes, my name was called four times, they had my attention! One of the more disturbing things we heard was a woman who clearly said, "Get off of me". Several years ago, I heard this doing the Estes Method and it did not make sense to me at that time. However, while conducting research in the history, I found an article stating that a wife of a laborer who stopped by during the construction of the fort to see her husband was grabbed by three other laborers and viciously assaulted in the worst way possible. I can't say for certain if this is her energy, but it is the first I think of when I hear words such as these.

 

The most significant statement that night occurred in the former infirmary. The spirits seemed a little hesitant that night, so I shared that my father was in the army, and I had the utmost respect for those that served our country. I did not hear it at the time but listening to the recordings we recorded "We're still serving". I always promote the event as speaking to spirits who still stand guard at the fort - hearing this spirit say that honestly gave me goosebumps when I heard it. Shortly after that, I was talking to the guests stating my disbelief that the spirits were not interacting with the laser grid or REM devices as they typically do. Then a voice said, "We've been busy". Just confirmed to me that they felt they had something else to do rather than make lights flash for us. At this time, the fort had been busy with activity to get ready for the music festivals, so the spirits might have been busy overseeing the temporary changes to accommodate those events.

 

In the bakery, I could not believe when a spirit asked where his hotcakes were - it's an unexpected statement, but one that makes sense seeing the former use of that space. Give that man his hotcakes!

 

The Officer's Quarters were active for us when a spirit finally decided to play with our REM devices on request. When I made an offer to leave a toy if they did it one final time - they did and I left some army men for them. But, the funniest was when we heard an intoxicated woman who made her presence known in a loud way in the parking lot at the fort. I saw some guests look around and I told them that it was a drunk in the parking lot. But on the Phasmabox, a spirit asked, "What was that?" The same voice was still talking to us and specifically reacted to another one of my statements. This showed how aware that spirit was of her surroundings, I often like to see how aware they are, but this spirit showed us. Finally, while opening up the communication session to the guests' loved ones, some guests heard messages from their loved ones. It has only been recently that we decided to do this, and it is so rewarding to see the reactions when guests hear from someone they loved during our events.

 

The video below contains the highlights of the event.

 

EVIDENCE VIDEO FROM OUR JULY 13, 2024, VENTFORT HALL EVENT 

SPECIAL GUEST INVESTIGATORS FOR OUR NOVEMBER VENTFORT HALL EVENT!

 

We are excited to announce that Paul and Olivia Oleskiewicz from the Northern Berkshire Paranormal Research Group will be joining us at our Saturday, November 2 "A Spirited Evening at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum event!


We had the pleasure of meeting Paul at Houghton Mansion fifteen years ago and we are very excited to have Paul and Olivia joining us for this adventure! Paul and Olivia will be leading one of the two groups throughout the evening.

 

Tickets for this special "A Spirited Evening at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum" event are now available! Our events sell out quickly, so get your tickets today!

 

For more information or tickets, please visit:  https://gildedage.org/products/paranormal-investigation-with-david-raby-november-2-at-7-pm

UPCOMING AUGUST EVENT!

Saturday, August 17, 2024 - 8:00 pm - midnight
Fort Adams

Newport, Rhode Island

 

Explore a haunted fort! Tickets for our group paranormal investigations at Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island are available! Book your adventure now! Our guests are allowed to investigate areas of the fort that are closed to the public. We end the night giving you an amazing and unique view of Newport at night.

  

Cost: $42.40/person (after online ticketing fees) - all ticket proceeds to benefit Fort Adams!

For tickets: https://fortadams.org/visit-fort-adams/tour-the-fortress/ (Tickets for our Friday, October 24 event can also be purchased at this time).

 

Please note that if you are planning to investigate Fort Adams with us, we will be walking on uneven surfaces and exposed to the weather as we walk from location to location. Please dress comfortably with appropriate footwear (open-toe shoes or heels not recommended!) Please be sure to bring a water bottle. In case of rain, please bring an umbrella or raincoat. Unfortunately, this event is not handicapped accessible and involves many stairs and ramps requiring a full range of motion from participants. Bring a lightweight folding camping chair if you get uncomfortable standing after a period of time.

CELEBRATING TEN YEARS

- August 1, 2014 -  

August 1, 2014, was a very important date in the history of our group's current incarnation. This date was the one-hundredth anniversary of the car accident that left a tragic mark on Houghton Mansion in North Adams, Massachusetts. I published The Shadows Within: Houghton Mansion in June 2014, and we were invited to take part in the events to commemorate the events during the one-hundredth anniversary weekend.

 

During the planning of the event, it became clear to me that most of the focus was to be on Albert C. Houghton - North Adams' first mayor and important business and community leader. I wished to honor Mary C. Houghton, his daughter, who died on August 1, 1914, in the tragic car accident. In our years of investigating the mansion prior to this, yellow roses became symbolic of Mary and an idea was born. I wanted to donate and dedicate a memorial garden from my family to the lodge. After receiving enthusiastic approvals from the lodge, the plan was in motion.

 

We arrived in North Adams on August 1 and went to the Houghton family gravesite and placed flowers on the graves of the Houghton family and the chauffeur, John Winters (a.k.a. Widders). We arrived at Houghton Mansion where I provided the history of the Houghton family to the guests before a group paranormal investigation with Joe Chin of Ghost Hunters. Christiana and I also helped guests investigate the mansion and talk to the spirits.

 

Saturday, August 2 was a whirlwind! We started out the day by tracing the ill-fated journey of the Houghton's Pierce-Arrow automobile before arriving at the North Adams Public Library where we presented a gift to the City of North Adams. We then returned to Houghton Mansion where we planted the Mary C. Houghton Memorial Garden. After planting it, we had a ceremony dedicating the garden and presenting it to the lodge.

 

I then followed the Mayor of North Adams during a celebration of Albert Houghton's life, where I presented his history up to his arrival to North Adams. I focused on his family life - as family was more important than his many business and civic endeavors. The North Adams Historical Society presented his civic and business endeavors during his North Adams years. After a few hours of relaxation by exploring Natural Bridge State Park, we then returned to the mansion at night for a second night of group paranormal investigation.

 

For those that do not know, the Houghton Mansion was integral to our group's mission to helping nonprofit historical locations. The idea was born under a leaky roof during a thunderstorm at five in the morning. This was also the place that led to my life altering decision to start writing books. I also felt a bizarre connection to the Houghton family, they welcomed me into their former home and Mrs. Houghton had a hand from time to time. (The book Walking Amongst the Shadows: Houghton Mansion details this). As a result, August 1 of every year has a special significance to me as I inevitably think and reflect on the Houghton family, John Winters and Sybil Cady Hutton and her family. After August 1, 2014, our attention turned to the recurring events we held at Houghton Mansion and the many years and people we have met on this journey. I'm proud to say that many folks I befriended in 2014 are still friends ten years later.

 

The Houghton family monument in Southview Cemetery in North Adams

The "Mary C. Houghton Memorial Garden". This was a start, our plans involved expanding the garden over the years. Sadly, the closure of the mansion prevented us from realizing that dream.

David Raby presenting at the celebration of Albert C. Houghton's life. 

David Raby and Mindy Hackner (then the Director of the North Adams Public Library). The public library is in a former mansion Albert C. Houghton purchased and gifted to the town in honor of his brother.

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