July 15, 9 pm EST: Haunted Southern Nights blogtalk radio interview
For
updates, join the Green Park
Paranormal newsgroup
The
125-year-old Green Park Inn is so notoriously haunted
that the hotel keeps a "ghost register" at the
front desk so visitors can record their paranormal  encounters. From the
sounds of laughter and footsteps coming from invisible
children to mysterious knocks and cold spots, the haunted
inn's record is long and rich. A jilted bride reportedly
killed herself in Room 318 and several people have died
of natural causes in the hotel's rooms. In its heyday, it
was the summer retreat of presidents and the wealthy and
clings to the Eastern Continental Divide in Blowing Rock
at an altitude of 4,300 feet, on the site of a Civil War
stockade with documented casualties. Conference attendees
will get special access to the sites with the most
reported activity, with small groups performing their own
investigations. Hunts will be held both Friday and
Saturday nights.
CONFERENCE HOSTS
The conference is hosted by Appalachian author and
folklorist Scott Nicholson, with presentations by
author and ghosthunter Deborah Leblanc, The Hauntmasters Club, Eastern Paranormal
Investigators Community (EPIC), and Paranormal Scene
Investigators. Panels include presentations on
ghosthunting equipment, investigation ethics, results of
previous hunts at the inn, local folklore and ghost
stories, and "Ghosthunting 101" for those
wishing to learn more about the investigations. Shadows
in the Dark will broadcast live from the event on BlogTalk radio. Meet the conference hosts.
The Inn's history: http://www.greenparkinn.com/blowing_rock_history.html
A 2007 hunt at the inn: http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/scottst55.htm
Hauntmasters video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdQqXpKwZG0
Offsite hunt: Mt. Bethel Reform Church
The Mount Bethel Evangelical Reform Church was bought as
church property in 1887 and the deed was recorded in
1893, and the church  building was constructed
soon afterward. It was an active church until 1921, and
is now the property of the Blowing Rock Conference
Center, which gave kind permission to allow a paranormal
investigation of the grounds.
According to Jerry Burns, longtime editor of the Blowing
Rocket and member of the town's historical society, the
graveyard was well known as a haunted location during his
youth. According to legend, an "old Indian" had
hollowed out a log for his own coffin and was buried at
the site, and is believed to be the specter that Burns
said he and others personally witnessed.
Hunts
will be held both Friday and Saturday nights. We've
secured an excellent room rate at the inn, and the
registration fee will cover attendance at all panels,
access to hunts at both locations, and Saturday night
dinner, as well as the do-it-yourself ghost tour.
Established paranormal groups bringing four or more
members get a 10-percent registration discout. Stay tuned
for more registration details.
A free road map tour to nearby sites of interest:
A number of nearby properties have also been reported as
having supernatural activity. Attendees will receive a
road map of local haunted hotspots such as the Cone
Manor, Tate Dormitory, Cannon Hospital, and private
businesses and residences. More on the road map
Conference
cost
Preregistration is $55 for the three-day
conference, which includes attendance to all panels, two
ghost hunts, Saturday evening dinner, and access to all
conference events. After Oct. 1, registration is $65.
Hotel rates are an incredible $59 a night (less than half
the usual rate) and are made separately through the inn
(ask for the conference rate). One-day rates for Saturday
only and a special "Beginner's ghost hunt" are
$25 if preregistered or $30 at the door. Children under
12 get in free with paying adult.
Register
now!
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