The Shanley Hotel in upstate New York is known for being a paranormal hotspot.
From ghostly apparitions to eerie voice recordings, paranormal investigators tout this hotel as being one of the most haunted locations in the state.
Ever wanted to live like a paranormal investigator at the Shanley Hotel?
Then grab your EVP recorder and read our guide to getting started.
History of Paranormal Investigators
Before we start, let’s take a look at why the Shanley Hotel is reported as being haunted in the first place.
It all started in 1845 when the original structure of the hotel was built.
Shortly after, the hotel became a popular vacation spot. In 1895, a fire from a nearby home ripped through the hotel, severely damaging it.
The hotel was rebuilt and purchased in 1906 by a man named James Shanley, who made a number of additions like a barber shop and bowling alley.
Despite their wealth and social standing, the legend is that the Shanley family was followed by bad luck wherever they went. But this alleged bad luck wasn’t just a myth.
In fact, all three of Mrs. Shanley’s children tragically died. Since then, visitors of the Shanley Hotel have experienced a lot of paranormal activity, including strange noises, objects moving on their own, and sudden temperature changes.
Visitors are even required to sign a waiver before staying the night. That said, it’s the perfect place for amateur paranormal investigators.
EMF Meter
If you’re new to ghost hunting, you might not be familiar with some of the gear and lingo. One of the most basic pieces of equipment in a ghost hunter’s toolbox is the EMF meter.
In regular use, an EMF (electromagnetic field) meter is a tool used to measure readings on electrical appliances. They’re also used to identify problems with power lines and wiring. So why are they so important for detecting paranormal activity?
When ghosts are present, there are strong fluctuations in electromagnetic fields. An EMF meter can detect these fluctuations, helping you determine whether paranormal activity is occurring.
EMF meters range from no-frills to high-end, but they generally come in two different types: single axis and tri-axis. A single axis EMF meter measures electromagnetic fields in one direction, which means you have to manually turn the device in order to get a complete measurement.
Tri-axis meters offer more detailed data about the electromagnetic fields surrounding you, but they can be significantly more expensive.
For ghost hunters on a budget, there are also a number of EMF meter smartphone apps. The reliability of these apps is debated, but they use the magnetometer built into your iPhone.
Once you have your EMF meter, take your device and move it around your room at the Shanley Hotel and see how the meter behaves. Feel free to take the meter through the rest of the hotel’s rooms. You never know what could be lurking down its historic halls.
EVP Recordings
If you’ve ever watched a ghost hunting TV show, then you’ve probably heard them talking about EVP recordings. But what are EVP recordings and why are they so important to paranormal investigators?
EVP stands for “electronic voice phenomena.” These sounds are thought to be the result of ghosts trying to communicate from the other side. You cannot hear these sounds at the time of recording, which is why so many paranormal investigators have EVP recorders so they can go back and review their footage.
To detect EVP recordings, you don’t need any kind of fancy equipment. Any simple recording device will do, especially one with an external microphone. Voice recorders are a popular option for capturing EVP phenomena.
To conduct an EVP recording session, first turn your recorder on. For this, it’s best to find a quiet spot, so you might want to do this at the end of the day in your room at the Shanley Hotel.
Relax and clear your mind of any negative thoughts so you don’t draw in negative energy. If you practice Wicca or Pagan philosophies, it’s helpful to visualize a protective circle around you and anyone else who is with you in the room.
Then you can begin asking questions. Instead of asking broad questions, try being specific, like “What is your name?” At the end of the session, review your recording and you might be surprised at what you find on playback.
Ectoplasm
Paranormal investigators often refer to “ectoplasm,” but what exactly is it? Ectoplasm can be described as being a paranormal substance that appears during paranormal activity like ghost sightings.
It can sometimes be just a smoky mist, or it can take on the shape of an entire figure. It can also occur as a manifestation of spiritual energy coming out of a physical medium. Ectoplasm is usually a white or creamy color.
The best way to detect ectoplasm is through photography. To detect ectoplasm, you can use any camera or video recording device.
If you’re staying at the Shanley Hotel, it’s a good idea to photograph or record all around your room, as well as the halls, gathering areas, and near windows. These are known to be paranormal hotspots.
After you’re done recording, take a look at your footage. Do you see any milky, white orbs? Misty figures?
Call In a Professional
Communicating with the other side has always captured the human fascination. In fact, paranormal communication has even been the subject of rigorous academic experiments and research at both the University of Edinburgh and the University of Arizona.
In other words, you might need to call for reinforcements if it’s your first time.
If you want to get the ultimate paranormal investigators experience, why not let a professional help? Paranormal investigators and psychic specialists can facilitate all of your ghost hunting adventures.
Professional paranormal investigators can be useful to have on hand, especially during EVP sessions when you’re trying to communicate with the other side.
Likewise, Ouija boards are currently banned on the Shanley Hotel’s premises, so it can be helpful to have a professional medium assist you with paranormal communication. Even having a phone psychic available can help you get the most out of your next ghost hunting experience.
Have you ever been to the Shanley Hotel?
Comment below and share your experience with other amateur paranormal investigators!
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