Date: Thursday, April 2nd, 1998
Time: 7:15-8:45pm
Weather: It was a clear night with a mild breeze. The outdoor temperature was about 68 degrees and the indoor temperature was about 83 degrees. There was no fog present.
Equipment: I used a Fuji discovery 35mm camera with a zoom lens loaded with Kodak gold 400 speed film. I also used an E.L.F. Zone electromagnetic field detector. Other members brought along tape recorders, a thermal scanner and for immediate gratification, a Sony Mavica FD7 digital camera.
Those Present: Me (Rachel G.), Sharon and Lew G. Andrea G. Kenny and Donna B. Tom H. Art H (the Director of the Betsey Ross House) and Ray (a friend of Art's)
History: The Betsy Ross House is located at 239 Arch Street located in the OLDE CITY section of Philadelphia.
Besides the obvious history of being the home of the women who had sewn and designed this countries first flag, the house does have a history of paranormal events.
The area we investigated consists of the courtyard; it is here that Betsy and her third husband are buried; the original structure of her home, and an addition in the back of the house in which the director's office and the gift shop is located.
**For a detailed account of the reported haunting, please view the President's report**
Report: We began our investigation in the gift shop. I didn't pick up any EMF readings here however I did feel like there were possible anomalies up in the rafters of the building. Later I saw that Tom had caught a few pictures showing orbs up there. We then proceed to the basement of this building. To get there, 2 locked doors need to be opened. It is reported that after opening these doors on a prior night a voice was heard saying, "pardon me" and nobody else was there to say it! Andrea G. noted that she felt very unwelcome in this area by what she perceived to be a male spirit. Several pictures were taken in this area.
We then proceeded to make our way to the main structure of the original home. It was at this time that a severe drop in temperature was detected in the alleyway next to the home. The temp went from 68 down to 23 degrees. We took pictures in hopes to capture some image secondary to a temperature drop like this is usually indicative of a Ghost!
Throughout the house we were lucky enough to be able to go behind the protective glass to take pictures. This certainly helped in reducing the chance of glares showing up on film. EMF reading was detected by the front door of the home and over the table in that room. I myself got no real strange feeling about the home except in the back bedroom, which I believe is where the lady that owned the home slept. I cannot put my finger on it but I just felt really strange in there.
After we examined the home we then proceeded into the courtyard. I took a few photos out by her grave and towards the home. I knew by this time that photos taken by the digital camera had already revealed a few orbs outside.
I went back into the gift shop to take some more pictures. Something about those rafters wanted me to take more pictures up there.
Impression: I had a great time at this investigation. I feel that a follow up in the future would be a good idea. I definitely feel that there are some spirits lingering around and in the buildings. Who they are for sure is hard to say. Hopefully the photos taken will reveal some answers.
Rachel G.