Investigation: SNUG HARBOR'S GOVERNOR'S HOUSE - STATEN ISLAND, NY

Date of Investigation: 11/20/09

Case File#: SHGH -11092009

History

Snug Harbor Cultural Center which is located on Staten Island, NY was founded by Captain Robert Richard Randall, a philanthropist born in 1740 in the state of New Jersey who then passed in the state of New York in 1801. While Capt Robert R Randall was alive he had acquired quite a bit of valued assets, ranging from realty to stocks which before his passing had bequeathed for the creation of Sailors Snug Harbor. The main purpose of this now enormous facility was to be used for the purpose maintaining aged, decrepit, worn-out sailors. Capt Randall’s plans were to have the main facilities building erected on the estate of his family in NYC, however consequences arose and they put a kink into his plans, which would hold back its construction. Robert R Randall was noticing the fast uprising of New York City, and saw a financial gain, so he decided to rent out his farm and purchase over 100 acres on Staten Island, NY. Several months after this, the building-blocks were laid down to create one of the Tri-State areas most historical Maritime Centers. Over the next 100 years Snug Harbor grew enormously, having hundreds of residents, as well as having its own farms, bakery, church, sanatorium, hospital, cemetery and housing for its officials and Governor. Snug Harbor literally became its own sub-contained self sufficient community.

As grand as a facility that Snug Harbor was and still to this day is it had its time of financial uncertainty. However now renovated but historically kept intact by historical enthusiasts and funding Snug Harbor Cultural center and Botanical Gardens flourish with its architectural designs of Greek Revival, Beaux Arts, Italianate, and Victorian influence can be seen on its building and homes. Most of which can be seen today, such as the Music hall, Visitors center, Nobel museum, Governors house, Matrons house, and many more making it one of the most fascinating, intriguing, and educational sites to visit.    

The Scene

On Friday, November 20th 2009 at 7:30 pm, the Eastern Paranormal Investigation Center was cordially given the opportunity to research and perform a fully sanctioned overnight investigation on one of the homes within Snug Harbor Cultural Center. Famed for its rich history and unexplained phenomena, the Governors House is claimed by many to be “Haunted”. The EPIC team had done research on the Governors House, but not much information could be divulged, nor could it be found with the exception that it was occupied by the most famous Governor of Snug Harbor Capt Thomas Melville. The home, built in 1881 was in amazingly good condition in and out, normal wear was expected for a home of almost 130 years, but upon taking the Tour that was given by one of the facilities employees, there was a strange sensation that came across the Team at that time.

Although EPIC always enters a location objectively and puts aside any and all claims of paranormal activity until we ourselves collect enough data to either corroborate those claims or actually experience an anomaly, we felt as if we were being watched. It wasn’t the normal spooky sensation that one may get upon entering an old abandoned building, but rather an intuitive feeling, as if you were actually feeling something that came out as words saying “why are you disturbing us”, most of us determining that there may be something more ominous within the home. Regardless of what was felt or heard the team went on with its work of setting up its sensitive electronic surveillance monitoring and environmental detection equipment.  Immodestly upon setting foot onto the second floor, unexplained events started to happen, extreme noticeable temperature variations within centralized spots in a room, our names being called out, while verifying with each investigator that they were not the one calling out the name, noticeable rapping’s & loud taps coming from rooms adjacent to where we were, and immense feelings of “get out” upon entering a specific room on the second floor. EPIC continued with its work and set up.

The Investigation

As the EPIC investigators were finishing up its final touches on setting up, we set our Sony super HAD IR cams and hard lined them, one in the basement, one on the first floor foyer one on the second floor hallway, and the last in the upstairs loft. All the cams and wireless audio which was also set up on the banister of the second floor was all connected to the hard lines and into the DVMR, which was set up within a Mobile Unit outside the Governors House. Along with this an experimental piece of equipment our Ion generator. was used and set up for data collection. Teams of three investigators were sent in at one time to cover more of one area, but keeping together as a unit. This prevented and kept contamination down no a bare minimum. Team one entered the home, they started to investigate why individuals, previous renters, and employees alike were experiencing these strange happenings. Upon careful inspection, EPIC investigators could not debunk the claims of the woman that been seen walking back and fourth in the loft areas kitchen, when the home was non occupied and locked tight as well as checked by security, neither could we explain why and where the noises of movement and walking footsteps were coming from.

Most of the activity seemed to be coming from the second floor, in specifics what was once believed to be a bedroom, which is left side facing when looking at the home from the front on the outside. Several investigators upon entering that room felt sick, cold, and each described a feeling of not being welcomed when in the room. One investigator commented, “It feels like I just walked into a party that I was not invited to” as another commented, “Yes, almost like a Get Out”. Although scientifically unverifiable, the events mentioned were all captured and recorded on Video & audio! There were however fluctuations of the Electro magnetic field which could not be isolated onto a source, and the main circuit breakers were off as well as no traces of EMF coming from outlets or any above head fixtures. A large temperature variation was noted as well within the bedroom in question.

After 55 min, and somewhat feeling uneasy, team one decided to take a break and let team two enter. Team two was also consisting of three investigators as well, upon entering we decided to investigate the first floor to start. We entered the right side foyer and got a feel for things, however as soon as one of the investigators looked up the stairwell, and said “I see movement”, as he noticed a dark figure passing in front of the IR led’s on one of our cams. As he called another investigator over for verification, he explained what had happened, although nothing was captured on Mini DV nor the IR cam. We started to do an EVP session, as the investigator noted additional movement at the top of the stairwell, continuing to due the EVP the second investigator introduced the names of each, when in an instant strange activity started to arise, as one investigator said, “did you hear that” the other said “yeah, it sounded like the radiator hissing” investigator one replied, “no, no listen, it sounded like….” All of a sudden the investigator that was doing the EVP session felt a presence, he described it as, “unlike nothing, I’ve ever encountered”. The presence felt as if it went up to his face within a fraction of a second and exhaled right in front of him, and his intuition warned him of possible danger. Although we must mention that the investigator who had the personal experience felt physically and psychologically drained that evening, due to personal issues and overtiredness’ which he made clear to the other members, felt as if he was targeted. The investigator calmly told the others that he had to leave, and could not continue at that time, as he needed composure. As they all exited one member asked, “what happened” as investigator two was explaining what happen to investigator one, investigator two said, “I heard, ..I heard the radiator yes, but I also heard what sounded like a loud breath coming from in front of investigator one. So not only is there validation be another investigator of the experience, there is also video /w audio of the event as it was corroborated!

Three more investigators went in to re-asses and re-investigate the possible cause of the phenomena; it consisted of members from Team one and two. Each tried to see what would make such a noise, they all waited to listen to the radiator hissing, and it was too low to assess that it could have been that. They each tried to recreate the sound, to no avail, as it was deemed to be anomalous in nature. Team one stayed a bit more as they re-entered the bedroom on the second floor, very little time was spent in the bedroom before an overwhelming sensation of dread came over each one individually as they were finishing up the video log of closing comments. As far as the technical side of the investigation goes, multiple EMF reading were done, RF frequencies were checked, EVP’s were conducted in various locations as well as stand alone digital recorders which were strategically placed in the basement, back room of first floor, and Loft area. Additional environmental and atmospheric readings were taken as well, with no deviations from their baselines.

 The Findings

EPIC analyzed, reviewed, dissected, and re-analyzed all of the data which was collected on the investigation. We tediously analyzed all of the digital photographs, Mini-DV tapes, Hi-8 tapes, DVR footage, and all audio notes that were taken, as well as the digital audio recorders and wireless audio. After an exhausting yet meticulous analytical review of the data,. EPIC found some astonishing evidence of possible anomalous activity. Although we did NOT capture proof of a “free floating, full-torso vaporous apparition”, we did however find some interesting anomalies on our audio recorders, as well as the Mini-DV’s audio. Some of the audio anomalies we found, fall under the Classification B EVP’s, while some are extremely clear and can be heard without headphones while having good speakers, however we always suggest that you use headphones to determine the phonetics of the word(s).

A couple of the EVP’s were personally directed at the investigator during the time of the session. Note: Even though the audio equipment EPIC uses is high quality and has an extremely sensitive and clear fidelity, however it will NOT go beyond the range it is covering and set for due to its re-formatting and placement. We would also like to point out that at the time of the audio anomalies there were neither people nor traffic, since we were literally locked within the grounds as no one could enter nor leave the grounds. EPIC had full uninterrupted & controlled access of the investigative location. There were however, no visual anomalies to make note of, with the exception of  what looked to be a “shadow person” or dark human shaped figure which was by a doorway which an investigator believes he had seen peering into the room where the strange event/feeling was noted.

Although Digital stills were taken throughout the house during the investigation period, neither 35 mm film nor DNVP (digital night vision photography) was used. No visual anomalies were noted. In regards to environmental & atmospheric data collected, there were notable areas where EMF levels were above the baseline readings, however since the higher erratic readings from 0.9 to 2.8 mG did not lead to an isolated source,  we determined the readings to be of anomalous origin. There were no stray RF signals, and no radiation or Ionic traces were taken. There was however a fluctuation in the thermal readouts, where a temperature drop of 14.8* differential occurred within the bedroom as the exterior hallway temp was steady and read 1 to 3 8 differential within all additional rooms. As the investigators continued to take readings and collect the data within the bedroom, they each felt unwelcomed, as well as an angered presence within the room. They also video logged the exponential drop in ambient temperature as they each became rapidly colder. Note: We should note that the outside temperature on that late November evening was 42* F, however the interior of the home was measured at a variance between 62* F and 64* F due to the old time radiators in specific areas. There were also no open doors, windows or drafts to note.

Examine the video & audio evidence

Conclusions

As the investigation of Snug harbors, Governors House reached its close, EPIC made its Final conclusive video log entry, wrapped up and packed away its array of equipment which it used to blanket the Governors House from top to bottom. We did however decide that upon researching the many stories, and corroborating them with eye witness accounts from reputable and well respected individuals, such as retired employees, and previous security personnel which are no longer at the Center, makes the Governors House  as well as many of the other historical buildings and homes prime locations to investigate possible paranormal phenomena.

Snug Harbor had a long history of being a self sufficient community, along with this may have come illnesses which may have affected many of the individuals within such a contained area. This of course may have resulted in many sicknesses and deaths that may have occurred in the very area which we were standing. To confidently say that the Governors House has never had any strange and unexplained phenomena that may have happened throughout its history, and may still be happening to this day, would be considered purely speculative. Although EPIC is uncertain of any specific deaths which may have occurred within this house, we believe the activity to stem from what is known in the field of Real Estate as Stigmatized properties. There is always the possibility that someone may have passed within the home itself, due to homicide, suicide, or unknown cause. Unfortunately we were not successful in collecting enough tangible data to “prove” that the home is in fact “haunted”, however, we were able to capture some very impressive, compelling, and somewhat disturbing EVP’s. Please let us know your thoughts on this investigation and or evidence on our New EPIC Paranormal Facebook Fan Page.       

Click below to see our video summary of the investigation.