Arrival
Special Guest: Conner, Cathy, and Lacy a photographer
The group arrived at a nearby bowling alley to meet Conner and his mother, Cathy at 7:00 pm. PIM previously registered with the Make-A-Wish foundation and one of Conner’s wishes was to go on a paranormal investigation. The Make-A-Wish foundation contacted Noah and advised him of the request and Noah subsequently made arrangements for Conner to go on the investigation at the Modjeska with PIM. PIM surprised Conner at a gathering he was having in Milwaukee with his family to inform him that he would be coming on the investigation with PIM that night. We then transported Cathy and Conner to the Modjeska for the investigation.
The group arrived on location at 7:20 pm and began unloading their equipment. Base camp was set up in the Lobby by the concession stand. Once base camp was established, the group started and time stamped their control recorders. The group began setting up equipment while John took outside weather condition readings, using a Kestral 3500 Weather Station, with Conner, and his mother, Cathy.
At 7:55 pm John took Baseline EMF (electromagnetic field) readings with a Tri-field DSP-523 assisted by Conner and Cathy. Indoor temperature readings were taken with a single axis Mel-8704R.
Every member of PIM is equipped with a Zoom H1 digital audio recorder, which is used as a control recorder, an Extech RHT50 data logger and a UV flashlight, which they carry on their person. Control recorders are not only used as another recording device but also to discriminate the sound contamination that an investigator might create during an investigation. Control recorders are started and time stamped prior to all other equipment being started and time stamped. Time stamps, from a designated atomic watch, are used as a point of reference and make cross referencing easier during evidence review. The Extech RHT50 datalogger, takes a temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure reading once a minute and is used to try and correlate environmental data with any personal experiences an investigator might encounter during an investigation.
The following items were placed on the Stage: a Sony HDR-CX160 full spectrum video camera directed at the house seats, a Tascam DR40 RVPR (Rountree Voice Phenomena Recorder)digital audio recorder, GQ GMC-320 datalogging Geiger counter, EM vortex, Extech RHT50 datalogger, geophone, and a touch flashlight.
The EMF pump emits different frequencies of electromagnetic fields into the surrounding areas. The use of an EMF pump is based on the theory that spirits need energy to manifest or manipulate objects.
A touch flashlight which is activated by two contacts being touched, thus, closing a circuit and turning the light on, was also placed with the trigger objects. The touch flashlight is used in lieu of a flashlight that has had the battery compartment or on/off switch manipulated to function in a way that is not intended and as a result, can create false positives.
A fedora hat, cape, apple, toy car, and stuffed cat were also placed on the Stage as trigger objects. Trigger objects are miscellaneous items that are strategically chosen in hopes to invoke a response.
The geophone is a device that measures vibrations. It has several LED lights that light up in a linear fashion depending on the intensity of the vibrations.
A Sony HDR-CX160 full spectrum video camera was placed in the middle House area, the right Balcony area and the right side of the House.
A Zoom H1 audio recorder was placed in the House, Mini Theater, Basement, and the Balcony.
A Sony HDR-SR5 video recorder, GQ GMC-300 data logging Geiger counter, single-axis EMF Mel-8704R vibe, Extech RHT50 data logger, and touch flashlight was placed in the Mini Theater. A bullet, Playboy magazine, playing cards, cigar, cigarette, and small bottle of whiskey were also placed in the Mini Theater.
A Sony HDR-SR5 video recorder was also placed in the Basement, near the stage stairwell.
All lights that could not be turned off were covered using dark plastic sheets. Any additional windows, or doors, in areas of interest, were also covered to avoid light contamination from outside sources.
At 9:15 pm, Lacy took several group photos for Conner and his family as well as for our group.
Claims of Activity
- Strange, unexplained sounds
- Levitation of various objects
- Smoky apparition of a man wearing a top hat peering down at the audience from the Balcony
Investigation
Main Theater – 10:02 pm
Everyone was spread out in the Main Theater. The group started with a few minutes of controlled silence. Controlled silence is a common practice to get acclimated to and tag or document the normal sounds of the buildings and its surrounding environmental noises. It was noted outside vehicular traffic noise and occasionally pedestrian voices could be heard.
After silence was observed, the group began an EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) session. An EVP session is conducted by asking several questions but leaving a minimum of ten seconds in between each question in the event a response is captured on a nearby device. Investigators speak in full voice and tag any abnormal noises they might make during an investigation. Common noises that investigators tag are stomach growls, accidental whispering and shifting or moving noises they might create that could be mistaken as something paranormal during evidence review.
At 10:05 pm, Gravy asked for anyone there to stomp on the stage. No sound was heard but immediately afterwards, the geophone lit up. This response was not repeated however and it was determined that street traffic could have caused the geophone to be tripped. No other events occurred during this session and it was ended a short time later.
END TIME: 10:27 pm
Basement (prop area near stairwell) – 10:43 pm
The group spread out in this area and observed silence for several minutes. Denys and Noah used their EMF detectors to determine the EMF levels in this area. During PIM’s last investigation, some unusual EMF readings were noted in this location and the group wanted to determine if the readings would occur again. No unusual EMF readings were observed. We then began an EVP session. At 11:01 pm, the sound of a person inhaling was heard, however it was determined it was likely the sound of Denys breathing.
No other events occurred during this session and it was decided to head back to the 1st Floor.
END TIME: 11:17 pm
The group took a short bathroom and refreshment break at 11:19 pm.
Mini Theater – 11:58 pm
The group spread out in the Mini Theater. They observed several minutes of controlled silence before beginning an EVP session. It was noted they could hear outside noise including voices from pedestrians, cars and motorcycles driving by. No known or recorded activity occurred during the EVP session.
END TIME: 12:12 am
The group met back at base camp before switching locations.
2nd Floor Office Hallway – 12:20 am
The group situated themselves throughout the Office Hallway.
At 12:26 am, a metal knocking noise was heard by Noah behind him. The sound was again heard at 12:28 am. Noah advised the sound may have been the result of water dripping from the nearby bathroom.
No other events occurred during this session.
END TIME: 12:33 am
Basement (prop area near stairwell) – 12:46 am
The group returned to the same Basement area as previously described. The group conducted another EVP session; however, nothing out of the ordinary was noted.
END TIME: 1:00 am
Main Theater – 1:04 am
The group spread out in the House and Stage area of the Main Theater. The group conducted an EVP session. The group did not receive any audible or recorded responses during this session.
END TIME: 1:30 am
At this time it was decided to end the investigation. The group broke down all their gear, stopped their control recorders and packed up their equipment.
Conclusion
Even though the investigation did not produce any evidence of the paranormal, PIM would like to further their research at this location. A few unusual sounds were heard during the investigation, but nothing that can be deemed paranormal. PIM would suggest that future employees document any activity they may experience. This will help PIM and other groups that might investigate the location to determine what might be occurring at this location.
PIM would like to thank Larry and the owners of the Modjeska Theatre for allowing PIM to investigate this historic location. It was an honor and a privilege to have Conner and his mother assist us with this investigation. PIM looks forward to investigating the Modjeska Theatre again in the future.
