Ghost hunters visit the Columns

New dimension added to museum collection Milford — In an effort to appease the curiosities of many visitors and docents who have said to have experienced a strange “something” or other at the Pike County Historical Society’s Museum on Broad Street in Milford, the board recently allowed Mike Worden and Linda Zimmerman to do an investigation into the possibility of paranormal activity. Although the museum director, who has spent many hours there over the last nine years, has never felt a presence, there have been volunteers who have, and guests who have as well. Rumor has it that the Columns is the place where Juliette Peirce, wife of famed philosopher Charles Saunders Peirce, spends her time; caught between this world and another, perhaps attached to the last remnants of her possessions, which are housed at the Columns. Their story ended tragically when Charles, a morphine addict, died leaving Juliette to live in squalor. In the early 1900s Juliette lived alone in their family home, on the outskirts of Milford, known as Arisbe. A poor widow, she sold off personal belongings little by little to survive. Always proud and kind, Juliette put others first, helping the Community House raise money by doing tarot card readings with a deck of cards she owned that are said to have foretold the downfall of Napoleon. Results of the hunt

The image of an older woman dressed in late 1800s style clothing appeared to Linda on the main stairway on the second floor.”
Account of Linda Zimmerman’s investigation at the Columns

So, what did the ghost hunters find? Linda Zimmerman had an encounter with someone she believes to be Madame Peirce. The spirit seemingly beckoned her, and eventually led her to the back room which houses the Peirce family artifacts. The name “Beatrice” kept coming to Linda and she was surprised to see a picture of a woman named Beatrice Bailey hanging in the hallway leading to the room where she would find the picture of Juliette Peirce and realize she was the woman who she saw at the stairs. Interesting? Get this, something told Linda to go downstairs into the office and open a file. The file she selected included an old newspaper clipping about Milford and its ghosts and Zimmerman was referenced in it. That seems more than a coincidence, given that was probably the only file of thousands that might have included her name. The team of Worden and Zimmerman reported their findings in a phone conversation with the museum director. They still have many hours of audio and video tape to look at in the hopes of proving their findings further. They plan on returning to the museum for another hunt. We can only hope Madame is as accommodating the next time around. For more information on programming offered at the Pike County Historical Society’s Museum go online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org.

Zimmerman lectures at The Columns In Volume 9 “Back From the Dead,” Linda Zimmerman tells of her time at the Columns Museum in detail, complete with pictures and a dose of history. If you would like to meet the author and hear, first hand, of her night at the museum, join them on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. for an insight into her visit and an evening in which some of the museum’s most interesting and historical “People from Pike” come to life. Reserve by calling 570-296-8126. Or e-mail pikemuse@ptd.net. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets are $25, and include the Zimmerman lecture and tour of the Columns and its famous inhabitants.