What are your favorite ghost stories about Philadelphia? Have you had any strange experiences here in the area?

When I read your question, two places come to mind. Bolton Mansion (in Levittown) and Fort Mifflin. I have had numerous experiences at both. However, I would have to say that Fort Mifflin is the most haunted out of all the places we have investigated. Not only have we heard unexplained voices there, but we have also witnessed several apparitions. These experiences have happened to us on many, many occasions. It's really sad that when I speak of Fort Mifflin, most people have never heard of it. It is Phillys only fort! And, this historic fort has been around since the Revolutionary War. A truly amazing place!

Sharon
PGHA
http://hauntings.cjb.net

Could you share some more details on your experiences Sharon?

Wow. There are so many experiences I have had there that I do not know which ones to add. So, I will briefly tell you about a few of them.

For starters, our organization has conducted numerous overnight investigations of the fort. One time during one of our overnight investigations I witnessed a full body apparition in what they call the Powder Magazine. There were only a few others in the room with me at the time and we were all sitting on the floor in the darkness. A few of us heard footsteps then I saw someone standing in the doorway. This "someone" stood there a few seconds then disappeared before my eyes.

Another time on an overnight investigation a few members and myself were in the Officer's Quarters sitting on the floor in one of the upstairs rooms. We had been the only ones in the room and the rest of our members were over in another building resting. While we sat there video taping and making audio recordings, the door to the room, which was shut, was flung open suddenly on it's own. And, if we left the door open, it would shut on it's own. This happened several times and with no explanation. We tried to recreate the event, as we always do, and nothing we did could get the door to behave as it did earlier in the evening. The wind was not a factor because the door to the room had to be accessed by a separate main door. So, you would walk through one door from outside, then there is a tiny vestibule area with a door on either side. Well, it was the room to the left that we were in. And, that main door, from the outside into the vestibule area, was closed the entire time.

On yet another overnighter, we heard a man screaming from the Dungeons/Casemates. Of course we immediately ran over to check it out and found no one. There is only one way in and out of the casemates. And, no one came out after the scream because we were already heading in that direction and would have seen if someone came out.

When we do our overnighters there you need to realize that the entire fort is enclosed by a barbwire fence. Once inside that fence there is a parking lot and an administration building. Then there is the fort within it's own walls. The only other type of building that is near the fort is the Army Corp Of Engineers. And, their buildings are some distance from the actual fort itself. Once we would arrive to the fort the main barbwire fence gets locked until the following morning. So, as you can see, there are no possibilities of anyone getting in. Nor are there any normal street noises close by. The fort is located on the Delaware River. Between the Army Corp and the Phila. International Airport. The planes at the airport can be very loud at times but it is quiet from about 1:00 AM to approx 5:00 AM.

Well, I hope that you find these few experiences interesting. Of course nothing can compare to having an experience of your own. And, on several of our Ghost Tours and Overnight Seminars that we have at the fort in the past, many ordinary every day people have had their own experiences. It's definitely worth the trip if any of you are ever interested in the natural history of the fort as well as the supernatural history.

Sharon
PGHA
http://hauntings.cjb.net

When do you do these overnight things? How could someone get the OK to do this?

__________________
Jason
Lynn Swann 06'

"Individualism is absent when other peoples' standards, not reality and reason, are ones primary guide."

Well, not just anyone can get in to do them. They are offered ONLY by us and the fort. As of right now, the Ghost Tours are a definite and are already scheduled. We are in the process of getting the Overnight Seminars started again. The price is a bit more for them ($100 per person) because we have to rent the fort an entire night. So, to cover their costs and ours, that is why the price is what it is. This price includes the following:

Light snacks and drinks throughout the night.
An explanation of what we do as an organization.
A class that covers info about the equipment we use.
A class on evidence we have collected.
An investigation of various buildings throughout the fort where everyone will get to use our equipment.

Usually we start at approx. 6:00 PM and end at 6:00 AM the following morning. These seminars are definitely for serious minded individuals as the night can be grueling at times and very long. And, we only allow approx. 15-20 people on these overnight seminars. So, each of our members has enough time to work with and talk to everyone who attends. It's more personal. And, we like it that way.

Once these overnight seminars have been scheduled, we will post all info about it to our website. There will then be an application form that everyone who wishes to attend must fill out.

Sharon
PGHA
http://hauntings.cjb.net

What are some other places that you have had experiences with or have heard strange things about?

I was talking to a co-worker this morning and he said down in South Philly there is an abandoned nursing home, which was used for men injured in wars dating back to the Revolution (I think, I could be remembering wrong time frames) that is very haunted. I think he said its near the naval yard. Anyway, at night he said you can see lights all over the place which he thinks are the ghosts of the men who are outside smoking cigarettes. He also said that the city is planning on building apartments on that site but "you couldn't pay him to live there."

__________________
"Just go with it."

We have investigated and have had many experiences at various locations. Such as: Bolton Mansion, Eastern State Penitentiary, numerous Bed & Breakfasts, Inns, Taverns, and private homes and businesses.

Sounds like and interesting place. However, I have never heard of it. Then again you didn't mention the actual name of the place.