Exploring a Haunted History

Contributed by Julie Douglas, MHC Family Reading Program Director

Sparking the public’s interest in historic homes and sites takes a lot of work and even more creativity. At the Kendrick House in Carthage, MO, some former residents are being enlisted to pitch in. And by former, we mean “formerly living.”

 Tapping into the public’s interest in ghosts generated by TV shows such as Paranormal State, the Kendrick House was the site of Haunted History Tours led by the Paranormal Science Lab this fall. My colleagues and I gathered up our courage and attended an investigation on a blustery fall evening. Our group’s interest in history was a given, but we also looked forward to learning more about the people who once called Kendrick home, and whom, according to some, might still be lingering around. Like many on our tour, we came for the haunts, but we left with a new appreciation for the history of the house.

MHC Operations Manager Clarice Britton explains. “I was intrigued by the house and the opportunity to learn something new. I probably would have taken a tour of the Kendrick House, but the paranormal investigation really got me interested.” MHC Program Coordinator Marilyn Webster-Brown agrees. “I was curious about what a paranormal investigation was all about. I had seen some on TV and wondered what it would be like to participate in one.”

Kendrick HouseWe arrived at the two-story brick house after dark and picked our way up the gravel driveway to the porch. Built in 1849, the Kendrick House is the oldest surviving house in Jasper County, having weathered the burning of buildings in Carthage during the early days of the Civil War. Funding the preservation of such a treasure can be a challenge.

Enter the Paranormal Science Lab (PSL), a group of paranormal investigators from the Joplin area, who were selected to conduct paranormal tours of Kendrick Place. Using high tech equipment such as infrared cameras, EMF detectors, and super sensitive microphones, the PSL team and participants in the tour looked and listened for anomalies that would seem to defy explanation.

According to PSL Case Manager Lisa Martin, “Interest in the paranormal and history are complimentary subjects which can allow a historical site to educate the public and offer unique events which raise public awareness of the local history and help promote a community stake in preservation efforts. The Haunted History Tours and paranormal investigations have provided a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the role that Kendrick House has played over the past 161 years, from a stopping point for westward settlers, to occupation by both armies during the Civil War and much more.”

Far from the dramatic thrills and chills depicted on the various ghost hunting shows, a real paranormal investigation involves sitting and observing. Lots of sitting and observing. And while we learned about how evidence is collected and analyzed in a paranormal investigation, history was at the heart of the evening. Our tour began with an introduction to the home by Kelly Harris, President of the Board of Directors for Victorian Carthage, the group that owns Kendrick house. Many of the stories focused on the Civil War period and the home’s role. With the story of the house and its inhabitants in mind, we were invited to wander through the house and explore.

Webster-Brown recalls a strange sight in the parlor. “We asked about the hoof prints in the wooden floor of the parlor. The investigators told us the marks were caused when soldiers hid their horses inside of the house to avoid being found by guerilla raiders.”

In the kitchen, a PSL investigator pointed a black light at a large wooden table, revealing streaks visible only by infrared light that are thought to be blood stains. Could the old wooden table have served as an operating table for soldiers receiving medical care in the house during the Civil War?

Armed with flashlights, our group then trudged through the yard to the slave quarters behind the house and listened somberly to the story of a slave woman who was hanged from a tree during the fighting. We crowded into the tiny rooms of the primitive cabin, imagining what it would have been like to live in such crowded conditions. While most of us were aware that slavery existed in our nation, few of us had stood in actual slave quarters before.

Martin feels the Haunted History tours are an excellent way to engage people in learning about an area’s history.

“Adults and kids alike have expressed deep interest and enthusiasm in hearing the history surrounding the house and the local area, much of which is sadly not well known, even among local residents. The result has been a stronger connection to both our local history and to Kendrick House, which is essential to preservation of both.”

The Kendrick House is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to places to explore in the Carthage area. A good place to start a visit to Carthage is the Powers Museum. The museum is home to artifacts that tell the story of Carthage, as well as traveling exhibits such as the Lee and Grant exhibit that recently was on tour there. For more information about the exhibits and special events at the Powers Museum, visit http://powersmuseum.com. Civil War aficionados will want to spend some time exploring The Civil War Museum located on the Historic Square in Carthage. The Battle of Carthage State Historic Site is the location of a Civil War battle that took place on July 5, 1861. An information kiosk provides interpretation of the battle site. In addition to Civil War history, Carthage is well-known for its beautiful Victorian mansions and its Route 66 attractions. Paranormal Science Lab is currently exploring conducting Haunted History Tours of other historic locations.

Martin reports, “We have begun investigating the Battle of Carthage Historic Site and Park, and have incorporated the battlefield into the Haunted History Tour. We are hopeful to expand Haunted History Tours to other historic sites.”

For more information about PSL, visit http://www.paranormalsciencelab.com. Read about the history of the Kendrick House at http://www.kendrickplace.com.

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