I Ain't Afraid of No Ghost

What do you do if you're the supervisor of an 18th century Prince George's County Parks and Recreation manor that is now plagued by supernatural activity?

If you're Mary Schiappa, you call the local ghostbusting group to investigate.

The Greater Maryland Paranormal Society (GMPS), was established in 2006 as a nonprofit paranormal investigation group, and took to Snow Hill Manor in South Laurel on Friday to investigate claims by staff that the home is filled with supernatural activity.

Most of the society’s members have either experienced paranormal activity or have an intense interest in the paranormal. Its founder, William Hartley, said the group doesn’t use gimmicks. It only uses scientific methods to detect paranormal activity and shies away from psychics or mediums, he said.

According to Hartley, most clients are private citizens who are not charged a fee. All ghosthunting members have regular day jobs and contribute to the society’s expenses.

Schiappa explained to Hartley that she has been working at the manor for seven years and constantly hears doors closing, floors squeaking and music playing when there is no one else in the home.

“Lots of people lived and died here,” Schiappa said. “There’s always creaks and doors slamming. At night I get spooked out but I think whatever is here likes me.”

Schiappa went on to say that once she was planning a face-painting event at the manor and stepped away from her table. She returned but the paint had vanished, only to be returned to the same spot a week later.

Armed with high-tech, electromagnetic gear detecting energy signatures of the paranormal, the group set up shop in the home from late Friday into early Saturday. The public was welcome to join in for a charge of $30, with all proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross.

During breaks, attendees huddled around a snack table, swapping stories of ghostly experiences and detailing what they hoped to see during the rest of the evening. Most said they had a fascination with the paranormal after experiencing it firsthand.

Donna Kopp, 51, of Fulton dragged her sister and daughter to the event. She said she had always suspected she was capable of sensing spirits.

“I’m trying to find out of if it’s something I am producing,” she said. “I’m trying to figure out if I’m crazy or not.”

Gary Neuwirth of Crofton attended the event with friends and said he became interested in the afterlife after having a supernatural experience when his mother died.

“I was looking for something that is local,” he said. “I hope to validate my beliefs that ghosts or spirits exist.”

"It’s like an addiction."

Colin McGuinn, 28, of White Marsh joined the society after asking it to investigate activity at his home. He said he’s been chasing the paranormal ever since.

“Who needs football when you got ghost hunting?" he asked.

Elyse Caudill, 26, of Baltimore joined the group after having an interest in parapsychology—the field’s academic name.

“I believe in the possibility of [paranormal activity],” she said. “You get that piece of evidence and you want more—it’s like an addiction.”

During the night, cameras were set up around each level of the house, lights were turned off and the group was split in half and sent in different directions. Each group had a guide who was equipped with electromagnetic equipment to detect energy, as well as thermometers. It is believed that when a paranormal presence appears, the temperature in a localized area will drop.

Attendees spent the evening shuffling among the manor’s three floors, huddling in rooms and asking the spirits questions about why they continue to linger in the home.

While there were no ghost sightings, objects placed around the house to test paranormal activity, such as pennies, were inexplicably moved or tossed down stairs—presumably by supernatural forces.

Close encounters or not, when asked how technology is used to detect supernatural beings, Hartley simply responded, “Energy doesn’t die.”