Ghost hunters investigate Pasco building before renovations set to begin

Ghost hunters are searching a Pasco County building for answers to several reports of paranormal activity before renovations begin.

The building was originally built in 1913 and served as the Seven Springs Schoolhouse before becoming the West Pasco Historical Society in 1983.

Over the years since the transition, there have been numerous reports of ghosts roaming the inside and paranormal encounters.

On Sunday, paranormal experts from Dust and Shadows are examining the building to figure out if and what could be haunting the building.

Throughout Sunday night, they'll be searching the building for evidence by taking pictures, filming video, and recording any possible electronic voice phenomena after attempting to speak to the potential ghosts.

"It will be slow, we're taking our time. We're making sure we ask the right questions like 'Who are you?', 'Can you hear us?'" said Alice Herden, a Dust and Shadows team member. "Very short, sweet questions and hopefully that will get a response on the digital recorders."

Next month major renovations are set to begin inside the historical society and president Bob Hubach says he'd like to find out if the building is haunted before that project starts.

"In case we chase out the ghost, we'd like to find out if he's here now and later maybe come back after the renovation and make sure he's still here," he said.

Hubach says he's heard several reports of paranormal activity just in the past few weeks.

"We had one lady who walked around and found some areas where she felt something funny," he said. "Another volunteer in a training class said she actually saw a soldier in the hallway back there."

Now, it's up to team Dust and Shadows to determine whether or not these feelings and sights are simply hype or real spirits lurking around the building.

The team members say they won't have any immediate answers as to whether ghosts actually exist in the building. They say it will take several weeks to analyze all of the recordings and photos they take.

Team Dust and Shadows is a new team that's still in training. They have gone through a group training at the Spring Hill Cemetery, but this will be their first valid investigation.

Representatives from the West Pasco Historical Society say their doors are open and the public is encouraged to come and decide for themselves whether or not the building is haunted.

The society is also still trying to raise money for the upcoming building renovations.

Dust and Shadows volunteered to do this investigation this week.

Next Saturday night, September 11, another team called Haunted Hunters PSI will be investigating the building, as well.

Holly Stoneking with the Haunted Hunters PSI says her group has done investigations at numerous Bay area locations including the Belleview Biltmore, Cuban Club, and the Royalty Theater.

The group also has upcoming plans to check out the May-Stringer House in Brooksville and the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.