By JOHN REYNOLDS
STAFF WRITER
Published Saturday, October 06, 2007
A new "ghost walk" downtown offers participants more than just ghoulish stories about the past. The walking tour, which kicked off Friday night, takes people inside one of Springfield's old buildings and gives them an opportunity to be ghost hunters.
"Hopefully, we'll see a ghost and learn some history about Springfield. I don't know what to expect," said local resident Angela Fyans just prior to the start of the walk.
Garret Moffett, who has led the Lincoln Ghost Walk: Legends & Lore tour since 2005, also spearheads the new Springfield's Haunted Dead Walk. He said the new offering will include many stories about the city's old haunts, and participants will get to go inside the Virgil Hickox House at 518 E. Capitol Ave., which some claim is haunted.
Chatting with participants before Friday's walk, Moffett said that over the past week or so, some unusual things have happened in the now-vacant Hickox House. He said he has heard doors slam when he was alone in the building, and he has gotten some strange readings on equipment that measures electromagnetic fields.
During the tour, some participants are given the chance to use the electronic equipment to search for ghosts inside the Hickox House. Disturbances in the electromagnetic field are thought to be evidence of paranormal activity.
"When these devices are triggered, I tell people it's a good time to take a picture, "Moffett said.
Most of the walk is outside of the buildings, as Moffett tells stories of their ghostly past. Among stops on the tour are the Dana-Thomas House and the Executive Mansion.
Friday's participants did get to go inside the Inn at 835 and listen as Moffett told a ghost story. Moffett said future walks will be able to go inside the building as long as staff members aren't too busy with guests.
The Springfield's Haunted Dead Walk will be held every Friday and Saturday evening in October. It begins in front of Tinsley Dry Goods, 209 S. Sixth St., at 7 p.m. Cost is $18 per person, and admission includes a ticket to the Museum of Funeral Customs. Walk-ups are welcome.
Moffett said the walk may not be suitable for children younger than 13.
"Some of the subject matter is a little bit more mature. It's really more of an adult thing," he said.
The Lincoln Ghost Walk: Legends & Lore, will continue through October as well. It is Wednesday through Saturday, including Halloween night. People who want to take the Lincoln-related tour should meet in front of Tinsley by 7:30 p.m. Cost is $12 for adults, $10 for military personnel and seniors and $8 for children. Kids younger than 10 can walk for free (up to four per family).
Tickets for both walks are available at Tinsley Dry Goods.
http://www.progressiveu.org/235637-an-o ... elekinesis
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