I N D I A N A S TAT E M U S E U M A N D H I S T O R I C S I T E S
CROSSROADS EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2021 Culbertson Mansion
FROM THE STATE HISTORIC SITES By Renee Bruck Sightings of ghosts, spirits and other beings become more commonplace as the calendar inches closer to Oct. 31, but Halloween isn’t the only time of year for spookier occurrences at a few of the state historic sites. Just ask the regional managers and staff. Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site It’s not unusual for visitors to question whether the mansion is truly haunted due to the annual haunted house created by the Friends group in the Carriage House, plus other lore and the age of the mansion. But it is a little more unusual when something unexplained happens while an event is taking place. During the Haunts and Happenings Tour on the autumn equinox – which was Sept. 22 – a visitor asked about Mr. Culbertson’s wife’s name, telling the tour guide that they ended up with goosebumps when the name was first mentioned.
The tour guide told the group that her name was Cornelia, and the goosebumps “meant she was probably in the room.” At that exact moment, the chandeliers in the formal parlor flickered off and on, Southeast Regional Director Devin Payne said. The entire group gasped in surprise. Some might attempt to explain away the loss of power, but others were left wondering if Cornelia was just letting the entire group know that she was, in fact, present. Corydon Capitol State Historic Site Dozens of people have lived in the Governor’s Headquarters in Corydon since it was constructed in 1817. It served as the home and office to William Hendricks, Indiana’s second elected governor, between 1822 and 1825, when the capital moved to Indianapolis. Afterward, the Porter family moved in – and tragedy struck. During an investigation with Friday Night Paranormal in August, a response through a spirit box – a scanner that transmits electronic voice phenomena,
or EVP – mentioned someone was sick. When asked who was ill, the reply was immediate: “All of them.” Corydon Capitol State Historic Site Program Developer Denver Bays noted that was an interesting comment because records indicate four of the Porters’ seven daughters died of tuberculosis in the house. The Governor’s Headquarters wasn’t the only location in Corydon where the Spirit Box captured EVPs. Another response in the First State Office Building mentioned “Patrick,” the name of Helen Porter Griffin’s husband, who had lived in the Governor’s Mansion. Helen’s older sister lived in the nearby structure that had served as the First State Office Building, and Patrick was known for helping the relatives with farming and other chores on the property, Bays said.
Vincennes State Historic Site Fort Knox II is best known as the mustering location of the army prior to the battle of Tippecanoe in November 1811, but the site was also a military base for almost a decade in the early 1800s. Some soldiers were even buried there over the years. During an investigation at Fort Knox II earlier this year, Friday Night Paranormal took a recording near the flagpole where continued on next page
both people and horses could be heard moving around, said Melissa Bowlby, the museum system’s accountant and a Friday Night Paranormal investigator.
Obviously, neither people nor horses were around at the time of the recording. Then, during a ghost-hunting program at the site earlier this month, the group of program participants read a list of the men buried at the fort. A spirit box picked up a distinct “Here” after reading the name of Lt. Jesse Jennings. Vincennes Site Manager David Weaver noted Jennings was killed by
his commanding officer at Fort Knox following a night of drinking and playing cards. The ghost-hunting participants also asked how many spirits were at Fort Knox during the night. On two separate occasions, they received the same distinct answer from the spirit box: 14. New Harmony State Historic Site Southwest Regional Director Mike Linderman noted the Fauntleroy Home at New Harmony State Historic Site is known throughout the community for mysterious happenings – like piano music at night when no one is there and doors opening seemingly by themselves. Still, some camera captures at another building – Community House No. 2 – are the most recent unexplained occurrences at the site. During promotional recordings for a Haunted New Harmony ghost walk event, a camera that shows people as
stick figures – similar to Wii technology – indicated someone was sitting on the floor of the Community House, leaning up against a case. Another video captured what appears to be two children sitting in chairs on the third floor where children were once known to nap when the building served as a school. In both instances, no one else was there – or at least no one else appeared to be there. Click here to watch the footage...if you dare!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT: SHAUN PAYNE Shaun Payne is the site manager at Limberlost State Historic Site. He began working for the museum system in August. As site manager, Shaun’s duties include overseeing daily operations, programming and working with a great staff to share Gene Stratton-Porter’s story at the Geneva site. He and his wife, Ashley, live in Bluffton with their mini dachshund, Ike.
working seasonally at Mounds State Park, it was a busy – but very rewarding – couple of years.
IF YOU COULD SNAP YOUR FINGERS AND BECOME AN EXPERT IN SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Definitely playing the guitar. I'm in the process of teaching myself to play now, and it's one of those skills that takes a lot of time and dedication to master.
WHAT'S ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES FROM THE PAST YEAR? My wife and I were able to travel to Nantucket Island. For us, it was one of those bucket list items made all the better after 2020. Oddly enough, we wanted to go there because of the ’90s TV show Wings. The island was amazing with cobblestone streets, cedar shake and clapboard-sided homes, hydrangeas, flower boxes and no stop lights. It was like stepping back in time. The seafood wasn't too shabby either! We can't wait to go back.
WHAT'S SOMETHING YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED AS AN ADULT THAT YOUR YOUNGER SELF WOULD BE PROUD OF? Completing my master's degree while working two jobs. I didn't take my education seriously enough when I was younger, so I never imagined getting an advanced degree. Couple that with managing my in-laws’ tire store and
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH, AND WHICH TEAM DO YOU ROOT FOR? Soccer, known around the world as football or fútbol. The league I follow the most is the English Premier League. I love that unlike American football, teams can be relegated to and promoted from the lower leagues. It makes the season exciting up to the very
last day. I root for Tottenham Hotspur and hope to get over to England someday to see them in person. WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW? For the first time in my life, I'm reading the Harry Potter series. I wasn't sure I would enjoy it, but once I finished the Sorcerer's Stone, I haven't been able to put to the rest of the books down! I'm currently finishing up Deathly Hallows and am not quite sure what I'm going to do with myself once I finish. I guess start over!
SECURITY UPDATE With the holidays fast approaching, it’s a great time to start thinking about how you can have a safe and secure season. Whether shopping for holiday gifts or prepping a meal with friends or family, keep these tips in mind as you celebrate.
WORKPLACE SAFETY TIPS • Lock all personal items in your desk or file cabinet, even if it’s for a short period. • Make sure all contractors have checked in with security for verification and accountability. • Keep an emergency go-bag at your desk. • Avoid focusing on your cell phone and be aware of your surroundings. • Request a security escort to your car if you are working late.
HOME SAFETY TIPS
SHOPPING AND VISITING TIPS
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly. Replace batteries, as needed.
• Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity.
• Be attentive when preparing meals because cooking fires are common during holidays. • Have a camera doorbell installed to avoid opening the door to strangers. • Turn off lights or decorations before bedtime to conserve energy and avoid the risk of fire. • Keep gifts away from windows and doorways where they can be seen from outside. Also, break down gift boxes and place in trash bags before discarding them outside. • Ask a neighbor to collect your mail or have the post office hold it if you plan to travel for an extended period.
• Be attentive to changing and severe weather forecasts and, when possible, plan commute times to avoid challenging travel conditions.
• When parking, make sure to park close to your destination and in a well-lit area. Also, lock any holiday packages or purchases in the trunk and out of sight. • Keep your car key handy and lock your doors as soon as you get inside your vehicle. • Carry your bags close to your body and keep your wallet inside a zippered pocket. • Pay by credit card – rather than check/debit card – to reduce the risk of banking issues. • When shopping online, avoid pop-up ads, which may be phishing scams or contain malware. • If you’re having a package delivered to your house, consider having someone there to receive it. An unattended package can be tempting to individuals with ill intent.
NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES JOHN BAUGH Experience
10 years
MELISSA BOWLBY Finance 3 years
MEGAN MANCE Education 8 years
NORA WOODMAN
JAKE SHEFF Collections 4 years
LORI WILLIS
Development 2 years
Facilities Maintenance
1 year
STAFF ART SHOW Thank you to all ISMHS staff and volunteers who participated in this year’s Art Show! We received a variety of artwork, all displaying great skill and passion. This exhibit is on display at the Indiana State Museum on the third floor in the accounting and security hallway. To view full images of all of the artwork online, click here. Winners will be announced at the Nov. 10 all-staff meeting.
Joanna Hahn, "Stairway to Heaven"
Melissa Bowlby, "Beleaf"
Lizzie Cleary, "Terra Cotta Clay with Wool Yarn"
Rebeccah Swanson, "The Dunkleosteus Can be Coy"
Rachel McFadden, "Spanish Scenes"
Meredith McGovern, "Natural History Still Life"
Krystle Mangan, "Crowning Glory"
Brian Johnson, "Ancient Mystery"
Edwin Locke, "Territorial Green Herron"
SHARE YOUR STORY IDEAS! Renee Bruck, manager of communication | 317.260.3506 | rbruck@indianamuseum.org