Hollow Hill » Podcasts with Fiona Broome

Laconia, NH’s Ghostly Places

Admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:57:50 +0000

Laconia, New Hampshire is a gold mine of haunted locations. This is Part 2 (of 2) about haunted places around Tilton, Franklin, and Laconia, New Hampshire.

In the previous podcast, Fiona Broome discussed these locations:

1. Hall Memorial Library, Northfield-Tilton, NH.

2. Tilton Mystery Tunnel, Tilton, NH.

3. Two buildings and a cemetery at Webster Place, Franklin, NH.

4. Daniel Webster birthplace, Franklin, NH.

In this 27-minute podcast, Fiona talks about visiting Laconia, NH with a neighbor. He remembered a house from his childhood; the house had “ghost stories” and a legend about a hidden Underground Railroad room.

Fiona describes what happened when they visited the house, including evidence of its Colonial history, the Underground RR room, and hash marks on the attic staircase walls and the inside of the door.

However, the owners of the home assured Fiona and her neighbor that there were no ghosts there.

The next day, Fiona returned to that area and found several other sites worth investigating:

Tavern 27 at the Mystic Meadows, 2075 Parade Road, Laconia, NH, and the gift shop behind it.

The former site of the Anti-Pedo Baptist Church of Meredith, NH, which was burned to the ground on behalf of a neighbor, Mrs. Morgan.

Mead Cemetery (433427N / 0712936W) and Round Bay Cemetery, Laconia, NH.

Fiona also recommends looking for the Folsom graves at Laconia’s Union Cemetery (between Garfield St. and Academy St.), where the petrified bodies were reburied.

How to find similar haunted locations where you are:

1. Ask people if they know any local, haunted places.

2. Follow your instincts. Drive around, look at maps, and — psychic or not — pay attention to your “gut feelings.”

3. Research history! Look for patterns — geographical or historical — that connect the locations.

4. Ask more questions. Collect more stories and look for “odd” comments and history.

5. Investigate, then ask more questions, and conduct more historical research.

Podcast: Tilton Mystery Tunnel; Webster Place

Admin — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:24:11 +0000

Here’s background information connected with my podcast about the Tilton Mystery Tunnel and true ghost stories around Franklin, NH, especially at Webster Place.

In this article, you’ll learn more history and see some of my photos (a few are large) related to the strange and haunted sites.

This isn’t a “ghost story” podcast. It will be most interesting to people who are looking for investigation sites in or around New Hampshire’s Lakes Region.

You can listen to the 17 1/2 minute podcast by clicking here:

The Tilton “mystery tunnel” actually starts in Northfield, NH, not far from Exit 19 on Route 93 in New Hampshire. The entry — currently blocked with a boulder and an iron door — is off the paved path between Tilton Memorial Arch and downtown Tilton. (Walk towards town and, on the right, you may see an area where foot traffic has left a mark. The entrance to the tunnel is about 10 feet from the paved path.)

According to local residents, the tunnel’s stairs were filled in and the entry has been blocked by the police — who patrol the area — because kids were using the tunnel for drinking.

I’ve heard a wide range of ghost stories connected with the tunnel entrance, the Tilton Arch, the cemetery at the Northfield side of the hill, and Tilton School. Around downtown Tilton, you may hear even more stories.

The tunnel-related stories usually involve a misty form or apparition. I’ve heard about orbs — visible and in photos — but, except for a slightly creepy feeling at the tunnel itself, I didn’t experience anything odd around the Tilton Arch or the tunnel entrance.

I talked with someone who’d been in the entrance to the Tilton tunnel. He said that the interior is very nicely finished, and it’s clear that something — at least one tunnel — had been sealed.

The photo on the right shows what’s immediately in back of the iron door. My camera was in the initial entry room, and — beyond it — you can see a second, large room (and sealed — or filled-in — arched passage entries) with beer cans on the dirt floor.

The workmanship is extraordinary. That’s the baffling part. This wasn’t just a root cellar or cold storage built by a neighbor for personal use. However, I’ve found nothing in any records — online or offline — to indicate a purpose related to the arch or the park.

Who built the Tilton Mystery Tunnel… and why?

No one seems to be certain why the Tilton tunnel was built, or where it leads. There are two anecdotal explanations, both tied to ghost stories, and both loosely linked with the idea that it was an Underground Railroad stop between the northeast and Canada.

(There are lots of strange, hidden rooms in houses around Tilton and Laconia, NH. Most are linked to Underground Railroad activity in the 19th century. Others may date back to Indian attacks in Colonial times.)

One description of the Tilton Mystery Tunnel claims that it leads from Arch Hill to a site (or sites) under the Tilton School. I’ve talked with people who have first-person stories about seeing the tunnels beneath the Tilton School. Most insist that at least one Tilton School tunnel leads to the Tilton Arch.

The connection with the Tilton Arch site is unlikely, since the tunnel would have to lead under the river and back up a steep hill. However, Charles E. Tilton — who built the arch — lived in a house atop the opposite hill, next to what is now Tilton School. (The school buildings originally housed a Methodist college.)

According to some Tilton historians and lots of local residents, the Tilton School — including its library — has several ghosts. However, I didn’t have time to verify those tales. (Update: The library is supposed to be the most haunted building on campus. It’s the former home of Charles Elliott Tilton… the Arch builder.)

The second version of the Tilton Mystery Tunnel story says that at least one tunnel leads to Hall Memorial Library. That makes a little more sense, since the library isn’t far from the tunnel entrance near the arch, and it’d be a fairly straight path underground.

Hall Memorial Library, Northfield-Tilton, NH

In April 2011, Lesley Marden and I spoke at the haunted Hall Memorial Library, and — together with Sean Paradis, we investigated the library’s basement. A memorial plaque in the Children’s Room caught our attention, as it seems to have unusual energy. We found a slight, repeating EMF spike there (could be normal) and a minor (but notable) cold spot, as well.

In a locked storage area in the library’s basement, we detected residual energy. At the time, I said it was from a female entity who was hiding there, fearful. Abuse was in the story, but it seemed vague… perhaps even imagined. Something didn’t make sense. The imagery was faint, even for a residual energy haunting.

Later, I learned that a former head librarian had severe agoraphobia — so bad she sometimes locked the library doors and hid inside — and had died tragically, nearby.

More importantly, I saw some odd brickwork in the library’s basement. It could indicate a tunnel entrance — or part of one — now sealed. Frankly, the brickwork seemed more like an oven or some kind of vents, but it’s difficult to tell. This anomaly only partially supports the idea that the Tilton Mystery Tunnel led to the library. I’m not convinced that it did, though I have no doubt that the library has ghostly energy.

More local ghost stories

If you’re in or near Tilton and Northfield, New Hampshire, be sure to drive an extra half hour to Franklin (NH) where Webster Place has some great haunted locations. In general, you’ll visit that street during the daytime.

In October 2010, I reported on the ghosts of the Franklin Historical Society, and the violent history of its surroundings.

I returned to that street — Webster Place, in Franklin, NH — when I was scouting locations for a TV show.* The show had been interested in the historical society, the Webster family cemetery (shown at left) and the rehab center next to the historical society.

The Webster family cemetery is at the end of the road, on private property. Check the permission sign before driving down the dirt road to the cemetery. The cemetery seems normal enough, but it’s one of those locations that’s just a little too quiet. I should have heard squirrels, birds, and the sound of cars from the busy road at the other end of Webster Place. Instead, it was eerily silent. On the other hand, maybe it was just an odd time of day when I visited.

Next door to the Franklin Historical Society (see my earlier article), a private rehab center now occupies what used to be a convent and orphanage. For the privacy of its staff & residents, that building is not open to the public. However, from several people who’ve stayed there, I heard the following ghost story:

Many nights (or early morning) at about 3 a.m., people hear the whoosh-whoosh sound of the nun’s robes and footsteps on the floor. They’re not going to the chapel (which is a wonderful retro design, like stepping back to the mid-20th century)… they’re going to the dining hall.

According to the stories, the dining hall has cabinets and drawers. On many of the drawers, there are little labels, one for each nun. That indicates where each nun kept her own silverware and dishes for mealtime.

There are other ghost stories at that location, related to the orphans who used to live there. The photos on the walls are charming, nostalgic and — for me, anyway — a little sad & creepy. I’ve posted a couple of them next to the dining & lodging section, below.

While you’re in Franklin, if you don’t mind more driving, follow the signs to the Daniel Webster birthplace. I didn’t have time to investigate it, but it looks very creepy to me. Something about that house and other buildings on the property… they’re odd… good odd, for paranormal research.

(As I’m editing this article, six months later, even the photo gives me a chill… and it’s 81 degrees out.)

As the stories were told to me, most of the ghost stories are connected with the small Colonial building next to the birthplace house.

That may be true, but my first choice would be to investigate the big white house in the photo below.

Where to stay, where to dine

If you’re visiting Tilton, NH, I can recommend two haunted hotels:

1. The 1875 Inn, featured on Ghost Hunters. It’s charming, convenient to the Tilton Arch, and receives great reviews from guests and paranormal investigators.

2. The Spalding Inn, Whitefield, NH. It’s over an hour away from Tilton, but for a memorable stay in NH, I’d choose the Spalding. It’s owned by Jason and Grant (and their families) from the Ghost Hunters TV show. I’ve spent the night there (and slept soundly) and investigated at the hotel and its carriage house, several times. I highly recommend it… if you don’t mind the extra drive.

For meals, the 1875 Inn features a restaurant that seems very popular with visitors and locals.

Locals and tourists always stop at the nearby Tilt’n Diner.

During the summer months, the Dipsy Doodle in Northfield — just a few blocks south of the Tilton Arch — is legendary for their seafood, burgers, ice cream and more. I’ve also heard good things about Tilton Pizza, on Main Street, not far from the Hall Memorial Library.

For healthy snacks, locally made crafts, and great conversations, visit Gemini Health Emporium on Main Street. The hardware store next door is also worth seeing; it’s like stepping back in time. (There’s a cafe across the street — I can’t think of the name of it, but it’s the only one nearby — and it seemed to be enormously popular for breakfast and lunch.)

And, if you’re in town anyway, practically everyone stops at the outlet mall in Tilton, just north of downtown on Route 3.

Tilton Arch information:

New Hampshire Curiosities, by Eric Jones
Wikipedia: Memorial Arch of Tilton
New Hampshire: The Memorial Arch of Tilton (CowHampshireBlog.com)
Tilton Arch: An Unoccupied Tomb (RoadsideAmerica.com)
History of Northfield, NH, by Mrs. Lucy Rogers Hill Cross

*This is the first in a series of podcasts based on locations I scouted during 2011 for a ghost-related TV series. The series didn’t pay me for my six weeks of work… but they also neglected to have me sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). So, their loss is your gain: I’m sharing my research here.

Most of the photos are from my reports to the TV producers; that’s why the pictures are large and annotated.

If you see any of these stories or locations on TV, let me know. I don’t generally watch ghost-related programming, and if the show I worked for actually uses the locations I found for them… well, I want to know about it.

However, if you figure out which show I was working for, keep this in mind: The people on the show had no idea I was scouting locations for their producers. The cast members had no part in the decisions made by the production company, and I don’t blame the cast for what happened.

It was one of two TV shows that broke agreements with me during 2011, and that’s why I’ve stopped consulting for TV shows. Instead, I refer producers to my friend (and respected researcher), Robin Pyatt Bellamy. She mixes business sense and reliable research far better than I do.

For me, the research is so “ooh, shiny!” and fun, I often overlook key business issues. That wasn’t a problem until early in 2011… and that’s consistent with the general decline in ghost-related TV productions. It’s about the shrinking audience as well as the economy.

But, rather than put my research notes into a file folder and forget them, I’m sharing them with you. These are all great stories, and I hope people will conduct more research into the public locations I’ve mentioned.

(When you do, let me know what you find. If you post articles online, I’ll happily share links to your research results.)

Ghost-Hunting Reality Shows

Fiona Broome — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:26:50 +0000

Fiona Broome speaks plainly in this podcast about ghost hunting “reality shows” that aren’t real.

She starts by talking about the evolution of reality shows, documentaries, and ghost-related TV programming.

With special nods to the Blair Witch Project, Fear, A Haunting in Connecticut and TV shows such as Ghost Hunters and Ghost Lab, Fiona explains what’s real, what’s reality-based, and what’s hype to improve show ratings.

Mentioned in this podcast (links open in a new window):

Are Ghost TV Shows Real? (December 2009 podcast)

Candid Camera

Survivor

The Blair Witch Project (For Fiona’s articles about the Blair Witch Project locations, see The Real ‘Blair Witch’ Ghosts – part one and part two.)

Fear

A Haunting in Connecticut (2002)

The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)

Jon Peters‘ legendary Superman/spider connection (not office-safe)

Exorcisms and Demons (Fiona’s article)

Fakes – The ‘fake’ question, revisited (Fiona’s article)

Ghost Hunters TV shows – and the TAPS website

Ghost Lab – the Alcatraz episode (clips start after 7 second ad)

Click here to listen to this podcast on your computer (MP3)

Music at start & conclusion of podcast: Zombie, by Devin Anderson

What Ghosts Look Like – Part 1

Fiona Broome — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:37:29 +0000

What do ghosts look like? In this 18-minute podcast — the first of two — Fiona Broome explains what to look for, if you’d like to see a ghost.

She divides visual phenomena into five kinds:

1. Light and shadows, including shadow figures.

2. Figures that look like people — sometimes with clearly observed faces and clothing — seen out of the side or corner of your eye.

3. Visual distortions, where proportions seem odd, or you see wavy lines.

4. Reflections, including:

Reflections from windows, especially at dusk or after dark.
Reflections on shiny and polished surfaces such as metal, tabletops, and hardwood floors.
Strange reflections in mirrors, especially older mirrors, and often at dusk or at night.

5. Full apparitions that appear like living, breathing people… but they do something that signals that they aren’t regular, living people.

Click here to listen to this podcast online (MP3)

Mentioned in this podcast, or related to this phenomena:

The Falstaff’s Experience, Stratford-upon-Avon, England (visual distortions)

Houmas House, Louisiana (ghostly reflections)

The Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana (haunted mirror)

Haverhill, Massachusetts (haunted historical home with mirror)

The Spalding Inn, Whitefield, NH (visual distortions, upstairs hallway)

Margaret Byl (one of the organizers of the G.H.O.S.T.S. conference in May 2010, where Fiona will be among the speakers)

Primeval TV series (BBC America) (good representation of visual anomalies)

Music: Zombie, written and orchestrated by Devin Anders0n

Poltergeists – what they are, famous stories

Fiona Broome — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:02:25 +0000

Poltergeists… what are they, and what makes them different from other ghosts?

In this 19-minute podcast, Fiona Broome explains what a poltergeist might be, and she shares stories of famous poltergeists.

To learn more about topics mentioned in this podcast, visit the following links.

Colin Wilson – Ghost Sightings

This book reads like a children’s series of “ghost stories,” but it’s actually filled with unique and fascinating information about ghosts and poltergeists.

Often overlooked by researchers, this book is among Fiona’s favorite resources for unusual insights about the spirit world. Fiona agrees with Wilson when he says, “…the evidence is that we do continue to exist. And I don’t think that there’s any possible doubt about it.”

Winchester Mansion (aka Winchester Mystery House) – Wikipedia entry – One of the world’s strangest and most haunted houses.

Cases mentioned: The Drummer of Tedworth, Enfield Poltergeist

(Fiona will write more about these events, later, and include previously unreported facts that shed new light on these famous poltergeist stories.)

Movie mentioned: The Entity

This movie — hard to find as a DVD, since the movie studio discontinued it — is based on a true story. The content in this film is very disturbing, since the victim was raped by three spirits, and that scene is represented in the movie.

Produced in the early 1980s, the movie is dated, but those who’ve watched it consistently describe it as disturbing and too realistic for entertainment.

That may be why the movie was discontinued.

Books mentioned: Harry Potter books, by J. K. Rowling

The poltergeist, Peeves, appears during every school year. However, when he is visible, he generally looks solid. (That’s not common among poltergeists. They rarely appear in visible form, at all.)

Other Hogwarts spirits, such as Nearly Headless Nick, usually look translucent and slightly glistening or pearlescent.

Listen to this podcast on your computer (MP3 recording)

Music: Zombie, written & orchestrated by Devin Anderson

Ghosts of the Spalding Inn – part two

Fiona Broome — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:04:29 +0000

The Spalding Inn, in Whitefield, New Hampshire, is known as a cozy, comfortable hotel… and a very haunted hotel.

In this 20 minute podcast, ghost researcher Fiona Broome talks about ghosts and other entities at the Spalding Inn.

From the “half-vampire” to the spectres of Anna Spalding and Mrs. Fairchild, Fiona talks about where to find the ghosts, and where to stay if you’re investigating the Spalding Inn.

Links related to the podcast:

The Spalding Inn, Whitefield, NH

Seeking Spirits, by Jason Hawes & Grant Wilson

Ghost Hunters International: Spalding Inn episode (Hulu.com clip from that episode)

Manangal Island, Philippines (just the map)

Listen to this podcast on your computer (MP3 recording)

Podcast music: Zombie, written & orchestrated by Devin Anderson

Ghosts of the Spalding Inn – part one

Fiona Broome — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:00:13 +0000

In the first of a two-part podcast, Fiona Broome describes her experiences at the haunted Spalding Inn in Whitefield, New Hampshire.

Fiona first explains how the Spalding Inn is similar to Lousiana’s haunted Myrtles Plantation. Both seem cute by day, and change dramatically after dark.

However, that’s where the similarity ends. The Myrtles is haunted by tragic events that occurred to previous owners and residents of the plantation. The Spalding is primarily haunted by former hotel guests, who return (or exist in a parallel realm) to a favorite vacation site. (Note: There is at least one exception, and Fiona will describe that in the next podcast.)

In this podcast, Fiona provides an overview of the Spalding. She talks about the ghosts at the end of the guest wing, and the Native American lore that may attract or lend power to its ghosts.

She also explains the odd entity — or projection — she encountered during an earlier investigation at the Spalding Inn.

Fiona talks about the daytime anomalies upstairs at the hotel, and the sense of “stepping back into an earlier time” that guests can experience in the dining room as well as in the guest rooms.

Listen to this 14-minute podcast right now (MP3)

Link: The Spalding Inn, Whitefield, NH

Music: Zombie, written & orchestrated by Devin Anderson

Telepathy and Ghost Hunting

Webmaster — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:32:04 +0000

Telepathy can have an impact on ghost hunting.

When a psychic medium senses energy at a haunted location, is it possible to confuse thoughts from a ghost and thoughts from an historian or other researcher at the site?

In this 15-minute podcast, Fiona Broome talks informally about her experiences with telepathy, how thought transference can affect ghost research, and what you can do about it.

Between telepathy and communication with ghosts, there are many shades of grey. How can a psychic tell the difference between a thought received from the living, from an energy imprint (residual energy), and from a spirit?

Though there are no easy answers to these questions, Fiona shares her experiences (good and bad) and how she deals with psychics’ challenges during investigations.

Fiona also talks about the many bright and educated people who are interested in paranormal research, and how a 2006 study explains that trend.

Listen to this 15-minute podcast on your computer (MP3)

Music: Zombie, by Devin Anderson

Are Ghost TV Shows Real?

Webmaster — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:37:28 +0000

Are ghost TV shows real? In this 13-minute podcast, professional ghost hunter Fiona Broome answers questions many listeners are asking this week.

1. TV shows don’t represent how many houses we visit that aren’t haunted. The majority of houses that seem haunted are either victims of high EMF levels or some other very normal (if odd) explanation. Even if they are haunted, the issue is related to residual energy, not a ghost or an active entity.

2. Demons and malicious spirits are very rare. If you think you’re being bothered by a demon, call an expert, not just the local ghost hunting club. However, demons and evil entities appear at about 1% of the hauntings we’ve encounter… if that many.

3. Don’t let TV shows convince you that most ghosts are evil or dangerous. They’re not. Watch the “ghostly” TV shows & movies of the past, and see how they portrayed ghosts.

Topper – the Cary Grant movies
Topper – the TV series
Ghost & Mrs. Muir – original movie with Rex Harrison
Ghost & Mrs. Muir – TV series (unavailable in Dec 09)
One Step Beyond – TV series (described as “historic accounts” of paranormal events) (Episode on Google Videos)

4. Provoking ghosts? Instead, look for someone like “ghostbait” from the Hollow Hill team: Someone who, just by being there, seems to attract ghosts and hauntings.

Ref: Bradford College Ghosts (article series)

5. ‘Tis the season! When you’re watching “A Christmas Carol,” think how you might interpret Scrooge if you were at a location that he (and his ghostly companion) were visiting. Would you think he’s a ghost that is scary, or needs help to “cross over”?

6. What would you like in future podcasts? Tell Fiona!

Click here to listen to this podcast online [MP3]

Music: Zombie, by Devin Anderson

Haunted Houses – what to do

Webmaster — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:08:03 +0000

Is my house haunted? People often ask that question, and it deserves a complete answer.

In this podcast, Fiona Broome explains the three most important steps to take if you think your house (or a client’s) is haunted.

This information is covered in far greater detail in Fiona’s book, “Is My House Haunted?“ You can learn more about that book at HauntedHouseBook.com.

1. Keep a diary of what’s going on. You can learn about keeping a diary at the Freebies page at HauntedHouseBook.com.) Then, have someone evaluate it from a “home handyman” (DIY) viewpoint. If there’s no reasonable explanation for the phenomena, it may be a ghost.

2. Decide if the ghost is a problem. If there are no safety issues, your sleep isn’t interrupted, and no one is excessively stressed by the haunting, find ways to live with your ghost/s. (You can read others’ stories — and share your own — at LivingWithGhosts.com.)

Otherwise, consult a professional in the paranormal field.

3. Find a genuine professional. Ask for references (not just the person’s neighbors and family members) and be sure to check all of them. Look for significant experience (at least six months to a year of professional-level work) and consistently happy clients.

It’s okay to work with someone (or a team) that’s highly recommended by people you respect, regardless of their references or years in the field. However, when dealing with strangers, check references.

Remember, the vast majority of haunted houses either aren’t really haunted, or the haunting is simply residual energy, not an actual ghost.

This logical, step-by-step approach can relieve worries and stress over a possible haunting.

Click here to listen to this 13-minute podcast (MP3)

Mentioned in the podcast:

The Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana (related podcasts)
The Spalding Inn, Whitefield, NH

Music: Zombie, by Devin Anderson