Palooza Paranormal and Supernatural Activity

Reports of paranormal and supernatural activity are typically considered publicity tactics or exaggeration aimed at generating interest, particularly within the ‘millennial’ generation. Irrespective of the quantity of evidence available, there are several individuals who simply do not accept such tales; one can find only a scant number of people willing to accept such urban myths and anecdotes. But the Pennsylvanian Blair County and its Ghost Research Foundation recognize numerous haunted sites and accord them the status of ‘national museums’. The foundation focuses on exploring numerous haunted sites across Pennsylvania ("Discovering the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, Pennsylvania Uncoveringpa"). Blair County’s key ‘haunted’ tourist spots are Altoona Railroaders Museum, Baker Mansion, and Mishler Theater. These three sites offer highly intriguing entertainment, particular in October and November.
The abovementioned museums plan and arrange ghost haunt festivals to entice visitors. Halloween sees a huge inflow of tourists at these sites, seeking participation in their Halloween event and wishing to study ghosts’ history. Such sites are ‘gazetted’ as museums for the purpose of preserving community heritage and cultivating interest among community members to retain their ancient relics. Programs, academic havens and exhibitions are planned for engaging individuals of diverse creeds. This facilitates fundraising for preserving and maintaining the sites and their associated legends.
The Altoona Railroaders Museum
This 4-storey Altoona-based memorial museum records and commemorates the contribution of railroaders to America’s economy. Exhibits on display (covering three of its four stories) take spectators through the city’s railroading history and the activity’s impact on the city. The entire museum is dotted with several entertaining interactive elements for children as well as adults. Furthermore, one will come across numerous animatronic figures which commence speaking the moment somebody enters the room ("Discovering the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, Pennsylvania - Uncoveringpa" 1). The aforementioned figures are actually historical characters aiding spectators in understanding the golden age of railroading in America.
Situated in the heart of the city, this museum’s building was once the Pennsylvanian Railroad’s Master Mechanics edifice. Constructed in the year 1882, it was intended for the purpose of rigorous railroad testing. The museum, which unlocked its doors for public viewing in the year 1980, was initially not situated here; only in 1998 was it relocated to its current building. It is regarded as the nation’s sole interactive Railroader Museum featuring museum, film, lobby show and store. Even individuals not interested in the railroad will end up loving the place.
A spirit, Frank, spotted throughout the building, is believed to haunt it. Workers report other apparitions too; at times, they hear faint strains of Big Band songs and even, on occasion, find gift shop shelves empty of their articles, which are seen stacked on the ground ("Discovering The Railroaders Memorial Museum In Altoona, Pennsylvania - Uncovering" 1). Visitors are invited to connect to ancient history and participate in instructive screenings organized on the building’s second story. Personnel at the museum are qualified to capably answer visitors’ queries.
The Mishler Theater
Isaac Mishler first established this theatre in the year 1906. However, unfortunately, within a year’s time, a fire in an edifice adjacent to it spread and reached the theatre, nearly burning it down to the ground. In the following year, a restored theatre was reopened to the public. During the 60’s, a decision was made to demolish the theatre but community members resisted. The building’s interior has partly been restored largely to its initial look; even now restoration efforts are in progress ("Mishler Theatre Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania USA Haunted Discoveries Your Paranormal Haunted Article Database Join the Community" 1). A number of ghosts are believed to haunt the theatre, with the most commonly reported ones being Isaac Mishler himself, and a woman garbed in 1930’s attire. The latter is believed to flip lights on and off across the building, and to slam doors and toilet seats.
Staff members have made various claims of seeing Mr. Mishler’s ghost; these include him treading the overhead catwalk, disappearing right into the wall of the old manager’s office, and puffing a cigar around a theater seat that subsequently folded back up as if somebody has only just vacated it. One worker, Jason, claims a costly boom mike and other equipment have gone missing ("Mishler Theater" 1). Brian Harnois, responsible for handling the equipment, faces a precarious situation; he has taken to overreacting even to tiny noises and light tricks.
Baker Mansion
This 28-room, Greek Revival-type house in Altoona was constructed in the year 1849 for the city’s renowned ironmaster, Elias Baker. It is believed to be haunted by an interesting array of spirits. Much focus, however, is on Baker’s beautiful daughter, Anna, whose heart was, unfortunately, captured by a youth working for her father. When the young couple got betrothed and informed Elias of their decision to marry, he furiously chased Anna’s fiancé away, considering the poor man with his inferior background undeserving of his precious daughter.
The broken-hearted Anna swore that if not allowed to wed the boy she had given her heart to, she would never marry anybody at all. She kept her word and died a lonely death in the year 1914. It is widely claimed that Anna, forever furious at her father’s stealing her only chance at living a happy life, chose to haunt his precious home. She is believed to be particularly attached to the dress she had procured for her wedding, which still stands on display in Anna’s bedroom. Meanwhile, Anna’s brother, David, a victim of a steamboat accident, haunts the cellar where his body was till the frozen ground thawed sufficiently to allow his burial. Visitors recount unnerving experiences of hearing screams that may be traced to the mansion’s basement, while others claim to have seen a man dressed in steamboat uniform skulking in dark corners (Clair 1).
Another brother of Anna’s, named Sylvester, haunts the parlor wherein he succumbed to heart failure. According to legend, on the evening of his death, when Sylvester rose from his sofa to hit the sack, he was struck by a mortal heart attack. Pressure pads beneath the covering of a security installation that dates back to the 80’s are activated in the place in visitors’ absence. The site of Sylvester’s death appears crushed as though somebody had dropped onto it (Clair 1). Further, there are cold spots featuring moving fixtures, globes that get reflected by mirrors, knocking thumps, and randomly-activating music box which create a creepy ambience. Ranked among the nation’s top-10 most haunted buildings, in a 1981 publication of “Life Magazine”, Baker Mansion continually attracts intrigued visitors who seek a chilling supernatural experience.
Whether or not one accepts such tales as true, the above haunted sites promise to provide visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Millennial generation can enjoy the rare chance of participating in Halloween events and other instructional retreats organized by site managers. Discounted visiting/participation rates are offered to organized friend, family, and group visitors. Individuals have to pay $9 (children) or $11 (adults). Participation in these activities provides attractive entertainment as well as helps maintain interest among members of the young generation, ensuring such historical sites and their supernatural stories are kept alive.







Work Cited
Clair, Mae. "Mythical Monday:  The Ghosts of Baker Mansion by Mae Clair." From the Pen of Mae Clair. N.p., 2017. Web. 8 Nov. 2017.
"Discovering the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, Pennsylvania - Uncoveringpa." UncoveringPA. N.p., 2017. Web. 8 Nov. 2017.
"Mishler Theater." Syfy. N.p., 2017. Web. 8 Nov. 2017.
"Mishler Theatre Pennsylvania Pennsylvania USA – Haunted Discoveries – Your Paranormal | Haunted | Article Database | Join the Community." Haunted-discoveries.co.uk. N.p., 2017. Web. 8 Nov. 2017.