Please put us on your list for the PDF pamphlet.  Our historic 1904
Courthouse has a few resident "haints" (according to local legend) and has
been approached by at least one group of Ghostbusters who want to sniff for
spirits.  We have no objection in principle, but want to be sure we do not
expose the Museum to liability or damage.

 

Don Long

Curator

The Museum of Ashe County History, Inc.

301 East Main St.

PO Box 1404

Jefferson, NC 28640

 

336-846-1904

 

  _____  

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of David Harvey
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 1:18 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Paranormal Investigation Policy

 

Hi Jennifer,

This is actually an area that I have been working on in the past year to
formulate guidelines for both paranormal groups and museums and historic
sites on these on-site investigations. I did an informal online survey on
Museum-L back in the spring and received quite a number of responses from a
variety of institutions. 

I have given two recent lectures on this - first at a paranormal conference
in June and then at the annual meeting of the Western Association for Art
Conservation this past August in Juneau, Alaska. There are benefits and
concerns on both sides and I am working to bridge this so that there is
increased awareness and sensitivity among all involved. I am actually in the
middle of writing up my lectures into a pamphlet form. Once I have this new
pamphlet finished I will be happy to send out PDF's to any who are
interested. (I have one pamphlet that was written last year on doing
Paranormal Research).

I would be happy to talk to you about the specifics off the list -
especially if you have some immediate concerns.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Senior Conservator and Museum Consultant
Los Angeles, CA

On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 9:33 AM, Jennifer Hurst
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Does anyone have a paranormal investigation policy that you can share? We
have been inundated with requests for paranormal researchers to "study" our
historic properties. Before we proceed further we would like to be as
informed as possible so if anyone has any experience with this and any
policies or guidelines in place that you could share would be much
appreciated. Also, how do you deal with insurance for researchers?  What do
you charge?  Do you make them sign a waiver? How much control do you have of
the distribution of information gathered during the investigation? What kind
of controls do you put in place? How do you screen these groups? Is it worth
it? Does it affect site visitation? Has income and visibility increased?

 

Thanks so much for the help!

 

Jen

 

 

 <http://preservationvirginia.org/>  <http://preservationvirginia.org/>
<http://preservationvirginia.org/>  <http://preservationvirginia.org/>
Jennifer Hurst

Statewide Education Coordinator

 

PRESERVATION VIRGINIA

 

204 West Franklin Street

Richmond, VA 23220

Phone: 804-314-7530 | Fax: 804-775-0802

E-Mail: [log in to unmask] | Web: preservationvirginia.org
<http://preservationvirginia.org/> 

 

Connecting people and resources to ensure the continued vitality of
Virginia's historic places

 

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If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).