Case File 08-009

Case Number: 08-009-17

Location: North Adams, Massachusetts

Type: Mansion

Quabbin Valley Paranormal members returned to the famed "haunted Houghton Mansion" in North Adams, Massachusetts. Many members have been here before as part of conferences and TAPS retreats, but this is the first time QVP did an actual investigation as a group. The investigation was set up through Berkshire Paranormal who oversees the mansion's haunted activities.
You can visit their website at www.berkshireparanormal.com.

There are many deaths tied in to the mansions history. You can read the full history and view more pictures of the mansion at http://berkshireparanormal.com/mansion.html .

Most members of QVP were eager to get into the mansion as a small group, especially those who have been here before. For Phil, this is the 5th time he has visited the mansion, and it was this place that really sparked the interest in getting QVP started after a TAPS Retreat there in 2007, an event he attended with Julie.

Members arrived at the mansion at 7PM and were met by BPG member Nick Mantello. We started setting up our equipment in the large structure, by far one of the largest places QVP has investigated. BPG members Nick Mantello and John Demarco gave a quick tour to the two members of QVP visiting the mansion for the first time. BPG Founder Josh Mantello also paid a visit. Josh has been a good friend of Phil and QVP and has helped us out a lot in our "infancy" of paranormal research.

We ordered pizza and wings from a local restaurant and fed our faces before getting into the investigation.

Once the equipment was set up, we went dark and broke into teams. There were four floors to investigate (including the basement) and we had all night to do it! There are many reported "hot spots" in the mansion. The whole basement, "Mary's" room, "Widder's" room and so on.
Many members had personal experiences through out the night. Melissa and Robin both had feelings of being touched, primarily in the basement. Phil and Rob did see what appeared to be shadow people in the basement as well. There were many noises heard, including taps and footsteps.

Phil and Julie were in the "Widder's" room when they heard what sounded like a little girl saying either "hello" or "help". This was also heard by investigator's on the other floors. It was a very exciting occurrence, until upon further investigation, Phil tracked the "voice" down. It was not that of a little girl, but that of two cats outside the "Widder's" room window in the rear parking lot having a "romantic encounter". So needless to say we were all disappointed (well, except the cats!)

Upon reviewing the data collected, we did catch a couple of EVP's. While investigating the Masonic Temple, investigator's Phil and Robin were talking about equipment when a voice, possibly female says "what you got?" This was caught on a Sony DVD Camera operated by Phil (See Video Clip below)

We did also find a couple "whispery" EVP's that could not really be made out (Class C). We analyzed over 40 hours of audio, 24 hours of video and hundreds of photographs.

All in all, it was a great time at a great place with a lot of history. The Houghton Mansion has been visited by QVP members many times over the last few years, and we all have experienced things and caught some really good evidence. This is definitely on the "return to" list of haunted hot spots!