Eureka Springs Paranormal (ESP) weekend at the 1886 Crescent Hotel has evolved over seven years. What began as an opportunity for paranormal investigation groups to explore the active areas at night for one weekend in January, has grown to a two-weekend, two-hotel investigation – and not only of ghosts.
The phrase Extra Sensory Perception refers to the mysterious powers that some people (and maybe all people) possess, that seem to defy the laws of space, time and even logic.
You will have many opportunities to explore your own psychic abilities at ESP19, our interactive weekends – opportunities to share your experiences, feelings, questions, realizations with other companions on the quest. And at night we will be attempting to communicate with those who linger in this hotel long after their bodies are dead and buried.
“America’s Most Haunted Hotel”, the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, is suddenly moving to “world’s most haunted hotel” status thanks to the soon-to-air episode of the Global Photo Association Tokyo, Inc. (GPAUS) program for Fuji Television Network in Japan. The program, “What Is This Mystery” was shot on location at the hotel in May of this year and captured some unexplainable moments.
The founder of Paranormal Inc., Rich Newman of Memphis TN, who has been investigating the paranormal for more than ten years, appears on the program. He shared these experiences with hotel management, “I don’t know if the television crew spoke to you after our night monitoring Theodora’s room (Room 419), but we had quite an exciting night! While monitoring our subject sleeping in that room, several lamps turned themselves on and off. First it was a floor lamp in the couch/TV area. Then it was the nightstand lamp right beside the bed. While we were marveling over the bedside lamp switching on and off, the closet door in the room opened all by itself! What’s better, this all happened on camera!”
The Fuji Tv show makes the sixteenth paranormal program produced featuring the Crescent Hotel in the last dozen years. The most recent is an episode of the Travel Channel’s “Most Terrifying Places in America” which recently debuted.
Some of the most haunting Crescent stories to emerge in 2018 are those recounted the hotel’s ghost tour guides. Here are a few:
> At the conclusion of one of our nightly tours, two ladies -sisters- stopped me to ask a question. The blonde-haired lady asked me why I didn’t introduce the gentleman who was sitting in the rocking chair during my opening remarks in the hotel’s history room where we start each of our tours. I looked at her and told her there was no one sitting in the rocking chair. Her sister laughed and said, “That’s what I told her!” The blonde sister went on to say that he was wearing a three-piece brown suit and a rounded hat, and that he smiled, laughed and rocked all during my opening comments.
> One night in the morgue(which is located in the hotel’s basement, used as such by Norman Baker during the time he operated a ‘cancer curing’ hospital in the Crescent during the late 1930s), I had just brought my tour in and they were beginning to sit in the front area. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man high-stepping into the autopsy room. He wore a dark suit and top hat. I excused myself and went into the room, looked around and even opened the meat locker (where Baker stored cadavers and body parts), but there was no one there. However, I saw him as plain as day. The hair on the back of my neck stood up and I had goose bumps.
> While supervising one of my tours, I was standing against the wall across from the SkyBar located on the hotel’s fourth floor when, to my left, I saw an orange-striped tabby cat at the end of the hall. I walked down to that area, looked left and right but there was no cat. I just knew it was Morris, the hotel’s orange-striped tabby cat for 21 years from 1973 to 1994 and is buried -complete with headstone- in the hotel’s East Lawn garden, was paying us another visit! (Note: a cat-like entity is often “felt” in the hotel’s lobby rubbing up against a guest’s leg or jumping into a guest’s lap right below the Morris’ memorial poem and photo.)
> One night this summer, I had a full ghost tour of 24 people seated in the entranceway of the morgue. As I stood up to make my presentation, I heard distinct footsteps in the autopsy room which was just down the short hallway from us. It sounded like someone was pacing back and forth. I had an eerie feeling that it might be a ghost and that I was the only one who was hearing the footsteps. A few seconds later as I was presenting the story of Norman Baker, I noticed that no one on the tour was listening to me; they seemed distracted. So, I paused and asked the group, “Do you hear footsteps?” They all nodded in unison.
While the Crescent’s ghost tour guides capture many stories, guests are also encouraged to submit experiential stories and photos on the “America’s Most Haunted Hotel” Facebook page. Many of these photos include orbs that paranormal theorists contend contain the energy of one or more ghosts or entities. Here is one such account:
>I captured a lot of different orbs on my phone’s camera but I had one orb, seen by my naked eye, basically like kind of attack me. It came from across the room down in the morgue and zig-zagged at me then flew behind me. It made me feel very uncomfortable, plus I got super cold. A few seconds later, it appeared again, coming from behind me, traveling back across the room straight at me. However, this second time, it stopped and was just like hovering in front of me as if it were checking me out, eventually disappearing. What they say about the morgue being (paranormally) active is true indeed.
“The best thing about our mountaintop spa resort is that it is a Historic Hotel of America best known for weddings, romance travel, and a family gathering place,” explained Bill Ott, the hotel’s director of communications. “And, oh by the way, the 1886 Crescent Hotel is also said to have ghosts or what we like to call, ‘guests who check out but never leave’. Our haunted persona is just another avenue for creating lifetime memories.”
We took the ghost tour Thursday evening, which was very interesting! We also believe we were visited by Breckie. Ever the skeptic, my husband was awakened by someone pulling on the bed sheets. He awoke from a sound sleep from the tugging and because of the chill that he felt run up his spine. This was around 1:00 or 1:30 a.m. After we had settled down and fallen back asleep, I felt the tugging of the bed sheet at the end of the bed. The first time it occurred, I thought it was my imagination because my husband had mentioned it. The second time I thought, ‘now that’s not my imagination’. The third time, I drew my legs up and drew the covers closer to me and it stopped. Just as I was falling back asleep, something began pulling on the end of my long hair. I also then experienced a odd chill up my spine. It occurred two more times, until I wrapped my hair into a twist and placed it under my neck. Then it, too, stopped. An experience we will never forget!
The Crescent Hotel is featured once again on a National TV Show…
“The Haunting of Harry Lennix”, that was filmed at the hotel this past May, debuted on November 6th 2015. In case you missed it, you can see the full episode by clicking here.
Back by popular demand, Paranormal Pair takes you to America’s Most Haunted Hotel for a 2 night stay experience. Explore the haunted hallways and stories that have stuck around the historic 1886 Crescent Hotel’s past, venture to the morgue and grab a seat around the campfire during Flickering Tales. On your second night, visit the sister hotel downtown, 1905 Basin Park Hotel, where you can explore the rooftop of the hotel and into the underground cave.
Stay 2 nights at the Crescent Hotel
2 Tickets to the Crescent Ghost Tour
2 Tickets to the Spirits of the Basin Tour
2 Tickets to Flickering Tales (available for Friday & Saturday stays.)
$324 plus tax Sunday -Thursday
$480 plus tax Friday or Saturday (includes Flickering Tales)
American Horror Story’ Season 5 Spoilers: Possible Hotel Setting for Show
The site also cited The Crescent Hotel and Spa in Eureka Springs, Arkansas as a potential candidate. The property, which was built back in 1886, is said to house no less than eight spirits, and was dubbed as “America’s Most Haunted Hotel” by many. Read More…
Eureka Springs Paranormal Weekend invites your to join us in another 3 Day Paranormal Event January 9, 10, 11 2015. The ESP event will again feature an expertly guided behind the scenes quest for evidence in the famed Crescent Hotel but will also include a one-of-a-kind investigation of its sister hotel, the 1905 Basin Park Hotel, which will be fully closed off and dark exclusively for event participants.
This three-day, hands on investigation puts tools of the paranormal investigator in your hands as well as an introduction to ghost hunting , tour of the property on the ghost tour and unheard of 24 hour access to “active space” including rooms 218, 419, 3500, 502 and THE MORGUE at America’s Most Haunted Hotel.
Lodging Packages:
Friday & Saturday 2 Night Packages ($395.00)Package is good for two people
Includes :
Upgraded room accommodations for two nights
Welcome reception
Saturday Night Ghost Tour & Hunt with Larry Flaxman
“Active Space” pass
$30 per day Food Credit
ESP Weekend t-shirts
Team review of evidence gathered.
2 for 1 tickets to hotel attractions (i.e. Not really a door)
$395 plus tax. Valid 1/9-1/11. Check Availability.
1 Night Saturday Only Package ($239.00)
Package is good for two people Premium Guest Room
Ghost Tour
“Active Space” pass
ESP Weekend t-shirts
Saturday Night Ghost Tour & Hunt with Larry Flaxman
Team review of evidence gathered.
2 for 1 tickets to hotel attractions (i.e. Not really a door) $239 plux tax. Valid 1/10. Check Availability.
Stayover Sunday for just $89 at the Crescent Hotel for the private investigation at the Basin Park Hotel. The Basin Park Hotel will be fully closed off and dark exclusively for event participants only.Call 877-342-9766 to Stayover Sunday at the Crescent.
We have capped attendance (and reluctantly had to turn some folks away) to keep the group sizes down to reasonable proportions. And we have extended the hours of access to active areas to include the entire night.
Late Friday and Saturday evenings, veteran Paranormal Investigator Larry Flaxman will guide small group investigations. When they conclude, the rest of the night is yours to independently investigate known active areas.
And on Sunday night Larry will be conducting a guided investigation of the sister hotel to the Crescent, the historic Basin Park – which will be closed and entirely empty for the occasion!
Ghost tours, a ghost play, Ozark tales of ghosts and the supernatural, personal ESP evaluation and the ever-popular Psychomanteum (this year constructed at the highest point in the Ozarks – the notorious Norman Baker’s penthouse suite, 502), van tours of Eureka Springs – all this and plenty of opportunities to meet and mingle with others of similar interests to your own – plus T-shirts!
If we were not able to accommodate you in 2015, please stay in touch and maybe we can be persuaded to run ESP for two weekends next year…
Cemeteries, hotels, battlefields, mental institutions, churches, hospitals and even entire towns in the United States are the stuff of lore, legends and campfire stories, meant to scare the bravest of people. These tales, whether fact or fiction, fascinate believers and nonbelievers alike. Read more…
ESP (Eureka Springs Paranormal) Weekends at the 1886 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas have grown to become one of the largest ghost hunts in the United States – so popular it now includes two weekends to accommodate demand. Participants will be investigating two local, historic hotels in one weekend at ESP17!
Participants will be expertly guided for a behind-the-scenes quest for evidence in the famed 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, “America’s Most Haunted Hotel in America”, that sits on a mountaintop overlooking beautiful Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The quest, for those who opt for an additional night, will included the Crescent’s sister hotel, the majestic 1905 Basin Park, in downtown Eureka Springs and just steps from the famous Basin healing spring, the one that first put Eureka on the map back in the nineteenth century.
The spaces known to be the most active at the Crescent Hotel will be open for investigation from midnight to dawn. On Saturday nights, the Crescent Hotel ghost hunt will be orchestrated and led by our ever-popular resident investigator, author of seven books about the supernatural and founder of ARPAST, the awesome Larry Flaxman! Those who choose to stay an extra night will be able to explore the Basin Park Hotel, with Larry in the lead –when the entire building hotel will be closed and empty except for event participants.
A plethora of events have been planned for the weekend. They include receptions; midnight champagne toasts to the ghosts; fully-costumed experienced ghost tour guides always on hand to facilitate the event; all the amenities of the famous 1886 Crescent Hotel including breakfast in the Crystal Dining Room Restaurant and socializing in the newly-expanded SkyBar; the gallery of historic photographs on the fourth floor; the new Crescent College and Conservatory Museum; as well as the unique and picturesque Ozark Mountain village of Eureka Springs to explore – all this and T-shirts, too! (And perhaps a few surprises…)
ESP17(Please note: programs for each weekend are identical)
Activities
GUIDED INVESTIGATION OF THE MOST ACTIVES AREA OF THE CRESCENT HOTEL – rooms 419, 3500, 218, 101 (Governor’s Suite, new this year) and of course, Norman Baker’s MORGUE – led by our resident paranormal investigator, the renowned LARRY FLAXMAN, author of seven books and founder of ARPAST. Saturday nights.
GUIDED INVESTIGATION OF THE BASIN PARK HOTEL, which will be closed and completely empty for this event. Led by the great Larry. Sunday nights.
INDEPENDENT NOCTURNAL INVESTIGATIONS – free roam from midnight to dawn with participants conducting their own search for our “guests who checked out but never left!”
Scheduled Events
NIGHTLY GHOST TOURS at the 1886 Crescent and1905 Basin Park hotels, geared especially to ESP investigators. Learn the history of the hotels and the town, hear the stories behind the sightings and identify the most active areas of the buildings.
STORY CIRCLE Gives participants a chance to relate their experiences of the supernatural, here and elsewhere, and to hear the stories of other ESP participants – hosted by long-time favorite tour guide Aunt Reba.
A SÉANCE Under controlled circumstances and with the assistance of trained psychics, participants will attempt to communicate with some of the better known departed spirits of the Crescent Hotel such as Norman Baker; the “Girl in the Mist”; and of course, Michael, the mischievous stonemason!
TECHNOPHILIA, or “My gadget is more sensitive than your gadget!” Participants will contrast and compare ghost-hunting equipment with other paranormal investigators. This gives participants the opportunity to show off their favorite toys and to drool over the ones they don’t have… yet.
SONGS IN THE KEY OF THE DEAD: a performance in words and music by popular duo Victoria Ralph and Bobby Matthews who will ask the questions: “Why do people seek scary experiences?” and “What is it that scares us the most?”
IMMERSION – a theater experience with no “fourth wall.” Vince Johari will be the featured paranormal entertainer and guide into this realm of spirit communication.
On-Going
ESP TESTING – Participants will investigate the phenomena known as telepathy, thought transference or remote viewing for personal evaluation. The tests will continue as they become more elaborate allowing participants to learn more about this fundamental mystery of human mental capacities as well as a chance to test their own PSI potential!
PSYCHOMANTEUM – Opens up the conduit to one’s own mind – or is it simply “the Other Side”? In ancient Greece, trained priests attempted to contact the spirits of the dead in a specially constructed, completely silent, subterranean temple called a psychomanteum. Reached through a complicated underground series of tunnels, the inner sanctum contained a still pool of water and single candle. In the process known as scrying, the initiate would gaze into the pool until visions appeared. A modern version of this sensory deprivation chamber was created by Dr. Raymond Moody, employing a soundproofed, mirrored room. Past participants have reported startling results.
Those who participate will experience the psychomanteum at the highest point in the Ozark hills. Whether one believes that the images come from “in there”, “out there”, or can find no distinction, the psychomanteum provides a rare and unique experience for the adventurous.
PSYCHIC SALON
Psychics Lisa Dawn (Shustah cards); Michelle Rasmussen Foster (Intuitive Angel Readings); and Margo “the Charmreader” will be available throughout both ESP17 weekends to give readings and to enable future appointments to be made.
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
NOT REALLY A DOOR, a one-hour, two-actress, keep-‘em-guessing, supernatural, comedy-murder-mystery-thriller, created especially for our guests at “America’s Most Haunted. It has the distinction of being the second longest running-play in Eureka Springs history! (Note: there will be no prizes for those who identify the longest, just the accolades of fellow participants.)
FLICKERING TALES – genuine Ozark stories of witches, monsters and ghosts, delivered by trained storytellers.
PLUS
Awaiting participants will be receptions; midnight champagne toasts to the ghosts; fully-costumed experienced ghost tour guides always on hand to facilitate the event; the amenities of the famous 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa including breakfast in the Crystal Dining Room restaurant, socializing in the expanded SkyBar, the historic photograph gallery on the fourth floor; the Crescent College and Conservatory Museum; as well as the unique and picturesque Ozark Mountain village of Eureka Springs to explore. All this and T-shirts! (And maybe even a few surprises…)
>Snacks and beverages available in the “small hours” at both hotels.
>Shuttles available between hotels during certain hours
>Discounted rate for extended stays by ESP17 participants Monday-Thursday, Jan 9-12, at both hotels
This Event Sells Out so please Reserve Your Spot by booking online for a 2 night or 1 night ESP Pkg:
seven years. What began as an opportunity for paranormal investigation groups to explore the active areas at night for one weekend in January, has grown to a two-weekend, two-hotel investigation – and not only of ghosts.
