The Bellaire House

&

Interview with Kristen Lee

    

    Kristin Lee is a well known psychic in the paranormal world but the thing she is mostly known for is being the owner of one of the most haunted houses in America, the Bellaire House in Ohio!

          The Bellaire House has been the center of attention for TV shows such as “My Ghost Story” and “Paranormal Lockdown.” She has also written the book: 1699 Belmont Street: A Portal to Hell.

          Today Kristen Lee has turned a negative into a positive, which is why I so admire her and couldn’t wait to meet her. She turned the house into the Bellaire House Afterlife Research Center; she allows it to be used for paranormal investigators who wish to collect paranormal data.

          So how did this all begin? That is a good question. The house was built in 1849 by Jacob Heatherington who owned 666 acres in Bellaire. He built the home to look like a dollhouse for his granddaughter who would later inherit his well-known coal mine and was the first female coal mine owner, Aliza Heatherington. Many generations of Heatheringtons have lived in the home.

          But on July 4, 2005, Kristen Lee and her family moved into what Kristin thought was her dream home. But several months later she had an experience that changed her life forever.

          One night, Kristin fell asleep on the couch in her family room (this is the same couch she sat on while speaking with me during our interview) when she woke up in the middle of the night to the feeling of her leather couch cushion under her feet being pressing down. Kristin opened her eyes to find an apparition of a man (all in gray) sitting at her feet looking at her. This is how Kristin described him: he had a scowl on his face, a light beard and mustache, and was dressed in attire from another time period, possibly the 1800s. She says the man was very tall and skinny and looked at her for what seemed like minutes as if she weren’t allowed to be there. “As if to say (this was) his area and how dare she be there.”

          This made Kristin upset (as anyone would be) and she screamed out, “Who are you?” But the man just sat still and continued to look at her. Minutes later, Kristin said he got up and just walked away into the house and disappeared into thin air right in front of her.

           Suddenly the house wasn’t the same. The family went from experiencing nothing to having a negative paranormal experience every day. “We would have a paranormal experience in one room for a week until we moved out and shut its door. Then (they would) all move into a different room and the same thing would happen there, … until we were out of rooms.” Kristin packed their bags and moved out of the house. Shortly after, her relationship ended with her boyfriend. She believes the house divided her family.

          Shortly after that, Kristin rented the house out but renters didn’t stay long. I asked if past renters would report paranormal activity to which she answered: “Oh, yes! We had five to six renters over a few short years but the last renters came in with seven living family members and left the house with only three living members and in a hurry!”

          Unfortunately, she did end up having to move back into the haunted house twice but eventually decided she was done with the house. But word had gotten out that it was haunted and in a small town that isn’t good when it comes to trying to sell a house! So Kristin filed for bankruptcy and hoped the bank would take the house and her life would get back to normal. But she realized the bank wouldn’t take the house due to the same problem she experienced.

          Kristin then tried to settle with the lenders who ended up accepting her bankruptcy claim, which ended up being a two and half month brawl. But Kristen didn’t give up! She realized that everything happens for a reason and stood strong, remaining positive! Now all is settled and she has the house.

          The house had changed her life, but she now donates it back to her great love: the paranormal community, which supports her and is very loyal. Today, Kristin hosts paranormal groups and guests, inviting them to investigate the Bellaire House and uses it for the paranormal research community helping others learn about the paranormal from the haunted house. Over the years many people who support her have donated items for her cause including beds and other household items. She is very thankful for those items and her supporters!

          I interviewed Kristin Lee on July 15, 2020, after meeting her at a small paranormal event in town. Something told me that I had to be at that event that day for I had to meet her. When I first saw her, I saw a beautiful, energetic, bright and bubbly woman who looked like the real deal. She told the truth and the whole truth for a the greater good. She understands that there isn’t any reason not to. I love Kristin! We hit it off and formed a fast friendship right away and she invited me to her place and let me interview her. The house was calm while I was there, to which she says, “It is until it isn’t, if you know what I mean.” Yes, I did!

          So would I recommend you to visit the Bellaire House? Oh yes! In fact, I interviewed Mike Simpson with Ghost Hunts USA who also is Kristin’s good friend and he told me a story of when he was left alone for just a few minutes in the attic and was rushed by an unknown but unmistakably evil spirit residing in the attic!

Kristin and her family with Mike Simpson in front of Bellaire House 

 

  “The spirit came right up in my face as if ’challenging me’ for about 10 to 15 seconds. You have to come to the house with an open mind and you WILL experience something!” said Mike.

          So yes, definitely visit the Bellaire House and experience one of the most haunted houses in America for yourself! And don’t forget to meet Kristin, too! Her personality brings even more out in the home. You will see!

 @Rosella C. Rowe

Links:

Kristin Lee’s Book: 1699 Belmont Street: A Portal to Hell

https://www.amazon.com/1699-Belmont-Street-Portal-Hell-ebook/dp/B00B5WHEYC

Website: https://www.bellairehousetours.com/

STEVE HUMMEL’S:

Archive of-the Afterlife:

The National Museum of the Paranormal

           

            Have you ever wanted to visit a Haunted Museum? If so, make sure to visit Steve Hummel at the Archive of-the Afterlife: “The National Museum of the Paranormal” in West Virginia. Steve is the jolly owner of the wonderful museum of haunted relics and more! The haunted museum is located in an old school once known as the Sanford Elementary School. But it is now being used as offices and rental space and has been renamed: The Sanford Community Center.

        When I asked Steve, “How does one start a haunted museum?” Steve simply replied: “I started the Archive of-the Afterlife: ‘The National Museum of the Paranormal’ because I was always fascinated with the paranormal, haunted items, ghost stories and the people who are involved with it. I had a diner and wanted to tap into the local tourism so I took my want to collect these items and place them into an empty room in the diner, thus creating the Archive!”

          Hummel’s most haunted items are:

•     A portrait of a woman named Annie. Steve believes this female spirit followed him home after he saw the haunted item in an antique store. He also said he heard her call his name twice. Steve later acquired the piece and it is now on display in his museum. 

•     An execution cap from the West Virginia State Penitentiary that nine men died wearing.

•     A doll called The Hope Doll which can be found in the second room of the museum across the hall. This item was removed from a local house by an antique dealer in town. This doll is oddly tall and sits alone in a dark closet. Steve turned on the light in the small space to show me the doll which was very creepy. I took a picture and dodged away from this item.

Hummel also has lots of other creepy and rather interesting historical items from the military and U.S. history that you might enjoy.

          In addition, Hummel informed me that the old school building the museum is in is, in fact, haunted! 

Hummel stated he has evidence to support that the person who the school is named after, Alice Sanford (the principal of the Third Street School nearby) roams the halls of the school. Steve and his paranormal team, Paranormal Quest, film their investigations and air them on YouTube where they have found evidence of the former principal in the building! They believe she is still carrying out her day-to-day tasks as principal! So check out his YouTube Channel and watch!

          I, however, had to check this out for myself since I was there and made the long drive from Ohio! Of course, I came ready to investigate!

          So I set out with my friend Mike Simpson (fellow ghost hunter of team Ghost Hunts USA) and we set up our equipment on the first floor behind the gym in a small connecting hall. Mike had an ovilus, which is an electronic gadget with a voice synthesizer chip, a small dictionary of arbitrarily selected words, and an algorithm to arbitrarily select words based on sensor readings from, say, an EMF Reader. We began asking questions to find out who was with us in the hallway. These words came through: “alley” and “ground” as my EMF Reader lit up moving from 0 to the middle near 3. These words made total sense to Mike and me!

          The small hallway, which was a connecting hall, could be thought of as a small alleyway from the looks of its layout. And as for ground, Steve did tell me that the whole area was considered sacred ground by Native Americans! This was really awesome! We think that is what the spirit was trying to communicate to us. And as I started to write what was happening in my notebook I always bring when I investigate, the ovilus said: “wrote.”  Mike answered the spirit back saying, “Yes, she is a writer and she came to write a story.”

          We pressed on, asking more questions and we got the word “skip!” Mike then began to skip a little in the hallway for the possible child spirit communicating with us and as he skipped in the hall, my EMF Reader lit up moving all the way up to 5, which is as far as the reader can go! Whoever the spirit was they definitely liked what Mike was doing and showed him by lighting up my EMF Reader all the way!

          A few moments later, the ovilus said the name “Kaitlyn” as we asked a little boy named Ethan (who was 10 years and just joined us along with his mother Jennifer) to roll a ball we placed on the floor for a child spirit. After this we got the words: “measure” and “blind” from the ovilus as my EMF moved up toward 3. 

          After a while of having no activity, we decided to move upstairs; however, as we were walking upstairs carrying our paranormal equipment, the ovilus said, “up.”

          On the second floor, we walked to the end of the hall near an exit door and set up our things in front of a door that said “Teacher” on it. As Mike got out his Ghost Finder App on his iPhone, a spirit came through his ovilus saying, “Let me out,” which was the first full sentence we received. A moment later, Mike saw a Red Orb to his left on his phone app. He stated the color red meant “safety,” which might have been a spirit who was concerned about safety during its life or in the halls of the school. For example, a safety monitor or a teacher. I thought that was interesting and a good suggestion. 

          Ten minutes later a blue orb showed up on his app getting close to Jennifer (the mother of Ethan) who was sitting in a chair outside the “Teacher” room. This was ironic because Mike had just asked the spirit if the person we were speaking to was a teacher. Apparently, the color blue is for a person who is a guide, and teachers are certainly guides! After the blue orb disappeared Mike, got out my flashlight and asked if the spirit could turn it on. His ovilus suddenly came to life and said: “I could!”

          Mike and I asked Ethan to walk with the flashlight to the other end of the hall, which he did, and then he placed the flashlight on the floor in front of a drinking fountain. Then, we asked the spirit to turn on the light, but to our disappointment it never did.

          However, we did get a lot of interesting words from the ovilus such as: “caught,” “bad,” “deceit,” “knife” and then the name “Christopher” as well as “marker” and “faith.” Perhaps a negative incident that took place in the hall was coming through. As for the name Christopher and marker, I think that might have been the name of the teacher whose door we were near. Either way, Steve Hummel was RIGHT! The old school was surely haunted!

           So would I recommend going to see Steve Hummel’s Archive of-the Afterlife: “The National Museum of the Paranormal?” Oh yeah, I do! Check out Steve’s haunted collection of items and do your own little investigation! General admission is $5 and check out the museum’s website for hours because they do change according to season. Steve also presents many events throughout the year, so keep an eye out for upcoming events!

  I also want to add how wonderful Steve Hummel is! He is the nicest guy you’ll ever met! Steve really struck me as a young jolly guy almost with a Santa Claus-like charm! I came in and he helped set me up always making sure I was comfortable during his interview, AND he even gave me a signed copy of his new book: Shades of Ether & Hints of Madness: Poems & Shorthand!! A wonderful little book!

            Steve is so creative and awesome. I really support him and all his efforts with his many missions and ideas. He never has a dull moment, just like me! We odd ducks have to stick together and I support him in his efforts. He was so kind to me and I was truly honored to have interviewed him! Check out Steve Hummel and all he does by clicking on the links below for more information!

@Rosella C. Rowe

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

TO ALL MY PARANORMAL FANS!!

More Pictures from the Museum:

Note: 

My visit was in July, 2020. Yesterday I was informed that Steve had to move from the school due to roof issues and is now looking for a new place quickly. Steve Hummel is the owner of the Archive of-the Afterlife: "The National Museum of the Paranormal in West Virginia and paranormal investigator from Paranormal Quest on YouTube.  Hummel’s most haunted items are: a portrait of a woman named Annie (Steve believes this female spirit followed him home twice), an execution cap from the West Virginia State Penitentiary (nine men died wearing it), and a doll called The Hope Doll.

Steve is also a new author so check out his book: Shades of Ether & Hints of Madness on Amazon.  

See more about Steve and his collection & my paranormal investigation of a haunted school on my blog on Oct 6, 2020 on: MyHauntedTravelBlog.blogspot.com.

You can also help Steve and DONATE TO HIS CAUSE!

Achieve of-the Afterlife: The National Museum of the Paranormal: https://archive-afterlife.weebly.com/

Paranormal Quest YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ParanormalQuest

Steve Hummel FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.hummel.14/

Steve Hummel’s New Book: Shades of Ether & Hints of Madness: https://www.amazon.com/Shades-Ether-Hints-Madness-Shorthand/dp/167200666X

***FUNDRAISER FOR STEVE: HELP STEVE'S MOVE OF THE MUSEUM & DONATE AT: https://www.facebook.com/donate/357665148979886/358836075529460/T

Also got to A Haunting Good Time Radio Show: https://anchor.fm/ahauntinggoodtime to listen to Steve Hummel on my Podcast. 

Links:

Achieve of-the Afterlife: The National Museum of the Paranormal:  https://archive-afterlife.weebly.com/

Paranormal Quest YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ParanormalQuest

Steve Hummel FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.hummel.14/

Steve Hummel’s New Book: Shades of Ether & Hints of Madness:

https://www.amazon.com/Shades-Ether-Hints-Madness-Shorthand/dp/167200666X