Ghost tours return to Nemacolin Castle in Brownsville
Nemacolin Castle in Brownsville is hosting its annual ghost tours starting Sept. 26.
Brian Brashear, the lead historian at Nemacolin Castle poses in a room included in the upcoming ghost tours of the castle to begin next week.
Nemacolin Castle in Brownsville is hosting its annual ghost tours starting Sept. 26.
This file photo shows a bouncing horse toy reported to have displayed paranormal activity in the nursery of Nemacolin Castle in Brownsville, which聽is hosting its annual ghost tours starting Sept. 26.
In this file photo, Rene Kruse of Brownsville,聽is pictured in the Bishop蘑菇视频 Bedroom in the east wing of Nemacolin Castle. Kruse co-founded the聽Pennsylvania Paranormal Research Group, which has conducted several investigations at the Brownsville site. Ghost tours will be offered at the castle starting Sept. 26.
The annual candlelight ghost tours have returned to Nemacolin Castle for a month of haunting experiences.
鈥淚t蘑菇视频 our biggest season of the year,鈥� said one of the organizers, Kim Brashear. 鈥淚t sells out.鈥�
The ghost tours have been going strong for over 15 years, and even though COVID-19 has caused cancellations of many annual traditions this year, Brashear said they鈥檙e taking precautions to make sure the tours are conducted safely.
One such change is modifying the number of people in each group. Formerly groups of 15 toured the historic castle, now, only six will be permitted in a group. The exception to that, she said, will be allowing a slightly larger group to participate if all of them live in the same household.
Brashear said they鈥檙e also taking steps to sanitize everything, especially the handrails on the tour, which is the only thing the guests are allowed to touch in the 231-year-old castle.
鈥淥ther than that, we tell people to watch their steps because the floors are uneven because of the age, of course,鈥� Brashear said.
Guests are also to be aware of the fact the ghost tours aren鈥檛 considered to be a haunted attraction in the sense that monsters jump out to scare them.
鈥淭here蘑菇视频 nothing to be afraid of,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t蘑菇视频 more of an experience or a happening.鈥�
She added that experiences are totally up for grabs as guests may or may not see something, feel a change in temperature, feel a presence or detect a scent like tobacco.
鈥淭here蘑菇视频 no guarantees,鈥� Brashear said.
While audio and/or video recordings are prohibited, Bashear said taking photographs isn鈥檛 just allowed, it蘑菇视频 strongly encouraged because guests are asked to review their photos at the end of the 45-minute tour to search for any evidence of a spirit.
鈥淪ometimes people find things on camera, and we try to debunk it,鈥� Brashear said. 鈥淪ometimes we debunk it like if it蘑菇视频 a shadow on the wall and sometimes鈥t is what it is.鈥�
Brashear said guests have a very positive experience ghost-touring the castle where four generations lived. She noted both paranormal groups and spiritualists have also offered accounts of hauntings.
The Pennsylvania Paranormal Research Group (PAPRG) has investigated at Nemacolin Castle several times.
The group has found different types of paranormal activity at the site, including seeing someone walk down a hallway and into a room 鈥� only to find that the room is empty.
PAPRG members have also heard voices or noises, including doors opening and closing.
The tours are $15 per person and will begin on Sept. 26 and run until around Halloween.
Tickets must be purchased in advanced to reserve a spot on the tours by visiting www.eventbrite.com.
Masks are required for a tour, and state and federal COVID-19 guidelines apply.
Nemacolin Castle is located along 136 Front Street, Brownsville, and is operated by the Brownsville Historical Society.