Tours offer a frightfully good time

Published 9:44 pm Thursday, March 17, 2011

The old Kenan Mill site will be one of the stops on this year’s paranormal investigation during Pilgrimage: -- Rick Couch

First there was “White Noise,” then “Paranormal Activity I and II” and now, the public can experience supernatural and unexplained happenings first hand during Pilgrimage’s Paranormal Investigation at Kenan’s Mill Saturday evening.

From 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. for a cost of $10 visitors can walk a trail, hear the sounds of the rushing creek that once turned the grist mill wheel and tour the mill house and kiln, a place where bricks were made.

Maggie Davies, team leader for The Black Belt Paranormal Research Team, has performed many investigations and said visitors should be prepared for unexplained noises or movements during the investigation.

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“We’ve never run across any bad ghosts just good ones,” Davies said. “We teach guests how to use the investigation equipment. We suggest they bring flashlights, recording devices and cameras and wear sturdy shoes.”

Brownstone Manor was the place of last year’s investigation and this year, the experienced team performed two weeks of research for 60 years worth of reported paranormal claims at the Mill.

“There were claims of voices being heard, objects being moved and full body apparition,” Davies said. “Severe car accidents and stories of tragic deaths, either by murder or persons crushed by the swinging bridge, were reported. Our job is to investigate.”

Built in 1861 by James Kenan, Kenan’s Mill still produces water-ground meal, grits and corn. The Mill, Davies said, also offers a place where visitors can come to have a “frightfully good time.”

“It’s a favorite spot for a lot of people,” Davies said. “It’s a large venue and we’ll be there to find evidence of claims.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Vaughn-Smitherman Museum.

For more information contact Davies at 327-0692.