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File No: 09-25-036
The PPA Investigation at Parker House Tavern
Location: Parker House Tavern,  Scranton City - Lackawanna County



Investigation Date and Duration:
12/16/2009 Arrive 10:30pm - 4:00 am



Location Status:

This is a three story building built in 1823 and currently being used as a tavern. The building was originally a boarding house for minors then a brothel and finally a bar until it later became the tavern.



Reported Activity:
Employees have reported seeing an apparition, mainly of a man’s face, on the second floor and a woman in period clothing who was believed to be a former employee when the business was operated as a brothel years ago. A swing door on the third floor also reportedly opens and closes by itself.



Equipment:
DVR System with four IR cameras
Digital Voice Recorders (4) 

EMF gauge (3)
Camcorders w/night shot (2)
Flashlights
Motion Sensor (2)
Thermometer (1)

Investigators Present:

Bob

Tim

Hawk

Mike


Paranormal Weather:
Geomagnetic Field: Quiet
Solar X-Rays: Normal
PWO: Average

Moon Phase: waning crescent

Technical Notes: 

Nothing to report



AUDIO and EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon):

VR1 (Digital Voice Recorder: Stationary in basement) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation

VR2
(Digital Voice Recorder: Stationary in 3rd floor room at the top of steps) At 2:25am, this device captured what sounds like a young girl's voice. This comes just after Bob asks if a little girl is present. What is being said can not be discerned. The sound  can be heard 13 seconds into the clip.


- At 3:35am, this device recorded what sounds like a man's voice saying “My house” just as Tim, Bob and Mike enter the third floor. The cracks and knocks in the recording at this time can be attributed to the hard wood floor. Investigators did not hear this at the time they were present. The whisper can be heard 6 seconds into the clip.


VR3 (Digital Voice Recorder: Stationary on second floor) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.


VR4
(Digital Voice Recorder: Stationary in shuffleboard area) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

VR5
(Digital Voice Recorder: mobile with investigators) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.


VIDEO:

DVR Cam1 – (Viewing 3rd floor main room and stair case) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

DVR Cam2 - (Viewing 3rd floor front room) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation. 

DVR Cam3 - (Viewing 2nd floor dining room) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.
 

DVR Cam4 - (Viewing1st floor shuffleboard room) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

Camcorder #1 – (Mobile with investigators) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

Camcorder #2 – (Mobile with investigators) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.




Photographs:
No photos of evidential value were discovered.



EMF (Electro Magnetic Field):
Standard baseline readings were taken throughout the building with expected spikes near electrical appliances. Investigators measured a high EMF field running along the second floor near the staircase to the attic. The field was approximately 3 ft high and runs the entire width of the 2nd
floor. This field is only present when electricity is on in the main bar area.




Investigator Feelings / Experiences:
Bob-
Nothing to report

Mike- Nothing to report

Tim & Hawk – Both investigators reported that while standing by the shuffleboard table they felt what they thought was Ben passing by their legs. When they looked, Ben was laying down 15ft away. At the same time, Tim had noticed a faint smell of perfume and hawk noticed a smell that he could only describe as the smell of sex.

In the same location, Tim and Hawk also witnessed the same thermometer produce a momentary reading of negative 181F degrees and a small fluctuation in the emf meter from 0.0 to 1.28 and back to 0.0. This is not something the thermometer has done before and the experience could not be duplicated. The cause at this time is unknown.

Ben(K9) - While present with Tim and Hawk on the third floor, Ben began running to the front room near the window and back to the top of the staircase approx 4 times. His behavior was out of the ordinary but could not be explained as paranormal or normal.




Conclusion:
During the investigation on this particular date, our investigators had a few personal experiences and two possible evp's. Some strange equipment malfunctions or readings were noted, that being our thermometer having a rare occurrence where it indicated the temperature in the room (shuffleboard) was a momentary -181F degrees.

No video evidence was recorded on this date, however, we conducted various experiments on the swinging door on the third floor. These experiments showed that the door can close easily and that a strong wind or slight bump that a may not be noticeable may close the door. The door opening, however, by itself would take much effort and is very unlikely a bump or breeze could open the door. No know cause for the door opening can be determined at this time.

Based solely on this evidence from this particular investigation, there is insufficient evidence to say a “true” haunting is taking place, however, taking into consideration investigator personal experiences, two possible evp's and the accounts of the clients and employees, there appears to some type of paranormal activity taking place. Further investigation that may produce more substantial or definitive evidence is recommended should the client feel it necessary.

Apart from the scientific investigation conducted by The PPA, information gained through psychic medium Michele J. indicates that both a residual and intelligent haunting is taking place. Michele had picked up on a previous prostitute that worked in the tavern, a young daughter of another prostitute who lived a short time above the tavern and the presence of a man who may have committed a rape at this location who are all occupying this space. Full details have been provided to the client.

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