William Orr came to Logan County from Uniopolis, Ohio, about 1891. He was a lumberman who owned lumber mills in Kenton and Huntsville. Mr. Orr called it his “dream house.” It has been said that the home cost $40,000 when it was built in the early part of the 20th century. This was a huge sum of money, for the average factory worker may only have made $2 per day. (What cost $40,000 in 1906 would cost $912,022.77 in 2007. Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2007 and 1906, they would cost you$40,000 and $1,803.46 respectively.)
Museum:
The museum itself is in the old Latham's Nursing Home section of the building. The home could handle up to 52 patients, had a staff of twenty, and was directed by Mrs. Olga Latham. The rates in 1965 were around $8.00 per day (What cost $8 in 1965 would cost $52.07 in 2007). The Latham’s moved out in the late 1970s. The home closed in 1984, and the city’s zoning code prevented like businesses from locating there. The museum section features a different them exhibit in each room. Some of the current exhibits are:
After you have listened to the audio you can use the menu below to see what we think the the EVP is saying. Also, please keep in mind, that the use of head phones will greatly improved what you are hearing.
From the basement of the Orr mansion:
This one was recorded right after an investigator asked "'Is there anyone here?"
In basement with the recorder laying in the middle of the room to the very back. An investigator has the K2 meter and is about to say they are getting readings. The meter was holding a pretty constant orange and we could not figure out why and it didn't last more than a minute.
Sitting on the floor just off of the entryway with my back toward the two chairs. I am asking routine questions and trying to get a response on the K2. The K2 and my recorder are on the floor in front of me a few feet away. I don't know what the noise is from at the end.
I had closed the door to keep the noise out from downstairs while recording. Again just asking if there was anyone there that belonged to the bed, doll, etc.
In the Doctor's office, right after the one above. All you hear is me turning the pages of the book I was still looking at, nothing had been said to provoke a response.
There were two investigators in the room at this time. The recording before and after this section shows that the investigators were not making any noise.
There had been reports of a stuff cat being moved in one of the upstairs bed rooms. Two of the investigators decided to relocate the cat to see if they could get it to move. They placed the cat on top of a pillow on the bed next to the headboard and left the area. The next group entered the room about 10 minutes later. After asking them about the cat they said "When we left that room, the cat was sitting right below the pillow. On it's stomach. I was the last person to leave that room before meeting up with everyone else to use the mini-box." When the first two investigators went back upstairs to tear down the equipment they found the cat about 10 inches away from the pillow laying on its side. We had a camera pointing down the hallway with the only access to the room and there had been no on in that room since the second group left. How the cat got moved not just once, but twice, we don't know.
During an evp session in the Native American room three investigators were in the room with the door closed. At one time they heard a knock on the inside wall followed by the sounds of the door knob being turned. They quickly got up and opened the door. there was no one in the hallways at the time. This was verified with the camera that was recording in the hallway. The hall was empty at the time they opened the door to check.
Equipment readings:
Several untraceable spikes and emf and K-II meters.
False Positives
Video:
none
Photographic:
Typical dust and pollen orbs.
Audio:
none
Conclusions
Investigation Summery:
Wow! I think that pretty much sums up our investigation. The first 'Wow' comes from the mansion itself. The amount of wood work in the house is amazing.
The second 'Wow' is the museum section;this is not your 'standard' small town museum. The amount of displays and items on display is by far one of the best I have ever been too.
The third 'Wow' came from the investigators themselves. We were all amazed at the history at this museum. I am sure that most of us will be back with our families to tour the location.
The final 'Wow' comes from the amount of EVP's that we collected from this location. We never call a placed haunted based on only one investigation, but to be honest, this is the first place that has demonstrated to us to rethink that rule.
If your ever in the Ohio area, this museum is well worth the drive to visit. The staff are very friendly and welcome any and all questions. To keep in mind, as with any not for profit location, a small donation is always welcomed. Only through our donations can we help to protect of history and these types of locations.
In our opinion, based solely on the evidence collected at the
time of this investigation we believe this location to be:
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No paranormal activity
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Paranormal activity, but not enough to consider it a haunting
I think that simple phrase sums up this location. We were contacted buy the museum since they had a couple of small reports of things happening in the museum but the majority of the staff were all skeptical of any activity. But as with any 'true' skeptic they were open to the possibility of some small amount of paranormal activity.
We have the policy of always helping out not for profit locations and we are supplied with a lot of gear that makes large locations such as this a prime location. We are so honored to have had the chance to help out and investigate this location.
