Date: Thursday, October 4, 2001
Time: Started at approx. 8:30 PM and ended at approx. 10:30/11:00 PM
Location: Jarrettown Hotel, Jarrettown., Pa.
Equipment: Camera -- Minolta Maxxum HTsi Plus. Film -- Kodak Gold Max 400 speed. Night Vision Scope. Panasonic IC Digital Recorder.
Weather: Outside temps approx. 70*.
History: Because there is a chance of us investigating the Inn as a group in the future, we didn't get any of the history this night (ghostly or otherwise). Please see their website for more info: http://www.jarrettownhotel.webatonce.com
Type Of Location: An historic restaurant.
How Many Occupants: None.
Pets: None.
Those Present: PGHA Members: Lew & Sharon G., Andy K., Rachel G., Toni M. and Diane D. Y100 Crew: Preston Elliot, Marilyn Russell and Steve Morrison. And, approx. 20 guests.
Report: For this investigation our group (the PGHA) split into three groups. Each group positioned themselves at key locations to be investigated and divided the guests and Y100 group among them evenly. Rachel and my group was stationed out in the old stables. Lew and Diane were on the second floor of the Hotel and Andy and Toni had the third floor (both floors were free of patrons as was the stables). Each group then investigated their own area for approx. 25 min and then the groups, not the group leaders, switched and went to another area to investigate.
My group, and our first group of guests, entered the stables and our equipment was passed around for everyone to use. We stayed put in the one section of the stables for approx. 15 minutes and then decided to go outside and enter a different part of the stables through a separate door. So, one of the owners (who was in our group) opened the door for us and we entered. Once inside we decided to conduct a recording session. This lasted for approx. 10 min and then it was time for the groups to switch. The owner left as well. During our time in the stables with the first group nothing unusual happened.
Rachel and I took a quick break while we waited for our next group to join us. Within a few short moments they joined us. We then proceeded to take them into the first room of the stables that we had originally investigated with our first group. However, once we got up to the door we found it locked with a padlock. Rachel and I found it odd that the owner would lock the door knowing that we still had two more groups to take through. We eventually started questioning whether or not it was the correct door. So we then tried another door and found it locked as well. After trying and wasting our time for 15 min to get the two doors opened we eventually decided to just go into the room that was open (the room we investigated second with our first group). All the while Rachel and I questioned why the door would be locked. Before it was time for our second group to switch, we all gathered outside in front of the three doors of the barn and talked. Most of the talk was of the door that was now locked. And, a few people even tried the lock one last time and still found it secure. A few minutes later, as we stood there talking, I watched as the padlock started swaying rather fast all by itself. Eventually others saw it too and finally Susan said out loud: "look, the lock is moving". At that point all eyes were on the lock as we watched it sway quickly back and forth. The lock then turned and stopped and I noticed that it was now unlocked. I even said out loud: "do not tell me that it's unlocked now?". A few people said that it looked that way and one guy even approached it and sure enough he said: "it sure as hell is unlocked". We were all absolutely stunned! It was incredible that we all got to see it happen. Rachel and I then took the lock off and opened the door. Sure enough it was the first room we had investigated with our first group. Later in the night I asked the owner if she had locked the padlock and she said no. So, not only did it lock itself but it also unlocked itself and more than 10 of us witnessed it. Our second group moved on and our third group joined us.
Nothing unusual happened with our third group. We then reconvened in the hotel and talked a bit. We then packed up and went home.
Impression: Based upon what I witnessed with my own eyes I would have to say that the place is haunted. It just is not 'natural' and possible for a locked lock to unlock itself in front of 10+ witnesses. It was truly amazing. I look forward to investigating the hotel again under prime conditions with just our group members present.
Sharon G.
10/5/01