Something Strange In The Blue Grass State
by Ashley Medley
Although Kentucky has it’s share of haunted places, Louisville seems especially active.
There’s no shortage of stories about ghosts, goblins and things that go bump in the night this time of year. But according to some, Halloween isn’t the only season prone to visits from otherworldly spirits.
“If a place is truly haunted, things will happen year-round,” said Keith Age, president and founder of the Louisville Ghost Hunters Society. Age and his paranormal investigators look into suspected hauntings in Louisville and the surrounding areas. They also have appeared on several national television shows.
“We’re just a group of people trying to find answers,” Age said. “Basically we’re just data collectors.”
Age founded the group in 1996, although he has been involved with paranormal investigations for 30 years.
“I had a personal experience with the paranormal at age 16 and I’ve been hooked ever since,” he said.
LGHS has about 4,000 members, 80 of whom are considered active. It is one of the largest groups of its kind in the country.
LGHS also is involved in fundraising for several local charities, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the WHAS Crusade for Children.
The group finds investigations from people who contact them through the LGHS Web site. A case handler follows up on submissions to see if an investigation is needed.
The first thing the group does if they decide to investigate a location is talk more in-depth with the person who requested the investigation.
They also conduct a great deal of research on the location and its history. Age said the history is one of the most important aspects in determining if a place is haunted.
They then hold a vigil at the site and set up cameras and other recording devices.
“We’re looking for anything out of the ordinary,” Age said.
If the results of a vigil warrant further investigation, the group will come back with more cameras and equipment, including thermal imaging equipment, an electromagnetic field reader and cell sensor. They also use what is called the “Puck” system – a device designed by Bill Temple specifically for ghost hunters.
The Puck system can record audio and video, take temperature readings and pick up sound frequencies the human ear can’t normally hear. Various devices also can be hooked into the system to help them function better.
There’s no set length of time for an investigation. Age said they will stay as long as needed to make a determination.
“There have been cases that have gone on for six months,” he said. “Paranormal activity doesn’t act on cue.”
If a suspected paranormal event occurs, the investigators will review the data and try to recreate the event. “If we can recreate it, it’s not paranormal,” Age said. “Ninety-nine percent of what we find has a logical explanation. We use our heads and think it through.”
The investigators are volunteers and investigations are done free of charge. The reward is finding paranormal activity.
Real Haunted Houses
Age said many people don’t want to deal with the stigma that goes along with the paranormal, so all investigations are confidential. Several well-known Louisville landmarks, such as The Seelbach and Brown hotels are reputed to harbor a ghost or two, but neither are eager to make that a selling point.
But other locations, such as The Palace Theater and Waverly Hills, are proud of their haunted history. Waverly boasts several well-known ghosts and spirits, while The Palace has just one who seems particularly fond of pulling pranks on unsuspecting employees.
“Several people have walked out of The Palace because their tools would disappear or get moved,” Age said.
The theater’s former projectionist is said to have died of a massive heart attack in the projection booth and his spirit still haunts the booth.
Another popular story has the ghost tugging on the ponytail of a former employee who was working in the booth.
LGHS conducted an investigation at The Brennan House on Fifth Street last weekend, but Age said he hasn’t been able to review the data yet.
“There are a lot of things that go bump in the night, they just aren’t all ghosts,” he said.
The Louisville Ghost Hunters Society meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm at the Mr. Gatti’s at 4200 Outer Loop. The next meeting will be on Nov. 4.
For more information, visit http://www.louisvilleghs.com
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