Investigation #008

Location: Byrd Theater

Date: 2/9/2007-2/10/2007

City: Richmond

State: Virginia

Case details:

The Byrd Theater, located in Richmond, Virginia, was built in 1928 and was the first movie theater in Virginia to feature sound. No expense was spared when the theater was constructed and it is a shining example of opulance and grandier not seen in modern theaters. The main motif is classical Italian architecture with Greek and Roman elements. Interior design elements include original oil paintings on the walls, an original Wurlitzer organ still in operation today, and one of the highlights of the theater: an 18 foot tall Chekoslavakian crystal chandelier. The theater is still in operation today and shows movies on the weekends, including Friday night. The theater is owned by the non-profit Byrd Theater Foundation who are committed to restoration and preservation of the theater.

Ghostec members Gary and Nanci were familiar with the Byrd Theater, and on a recent trip to the Richmond Hollywood cemetery dropped by there to show Jonathan the place. They also caught a movie and on the way out met the manager. We inquired about a possible investigation and the manager said to contact him about it. Afterwards Gary did and an investigation was set up.

After reviewing our data, we did not get anything on video except possible a voice saying "No", and the unusual occurance of one of our VCR's suddenly switching recording speeds in mid-record when nobody was near it. We did not get many unusual feelings but as the saying goes, ghosts do not appear on demand. We have been invited back and are looking forward to another investigation of the Byrd Theater.

For this investigation we decided to have everyone write up a bit for this page, their notes follows.

Sue's notes:

Gary Hall, one of Ghostec members secured a date for us to investigate the grand old Byrd Theatre in Richmond, Virginia. We got into the theatre, met with Todd Schall-Vess, the manager and a Vice President of the Byrd Theatre Foundation, it’s mission to secure donations to preserve the theatre. Your monetary gift is appreciated. Todd has been there for 8 years.

We settled quietly on the mezzanine level, to wait for the last movie to end and the crowd to leave. We were given full access to this opulent piece of history. A full page written by me would not describe the beauty of this Italian Renaissance designed Theatre, with it’s Greek and Italian marble on the side walls; it’s murals high on the walls and a huge chandelier hanging above the lobby. It is still operating as it did, since opening in 1928 and one of the highlights is the performance given on the Wurlitzer organ (on stage) prior to a movie on Saturday nights. BUT…we were there to try to get a message from or communicate with the Byrd’s former manager’s ghost, Robert Coulter. He is said to seat himself in the balcony which he did in life and continued the same pattern after his death in the 1970s.

I am not sure if Robert Coulter paid the theatre a visit during our time there. I personally, did not get any paranormal data to post. We did however, have things happen that were a bit unusual.  While four of the team members sat quietly in the auditorium, there was a sense of being light-headed or a feeling of slight disorientation, which ended when moving out of that spot. There was a very eerie feeling of being watched in the upstairs bathroom and a feeling of not being alone in the mezzanine area.  In the auditorium, near the stage exit door, Sandy and Peggy had new batteries zapped and Nanci had a malfunction with her camera, which worked fine out of that area.

Sandy's notes:

As one of the members of Ghostec, I was honored to be able to visit the Byrd Theater.  This grand lady with her inlayed mirrors, oil paintings, crystal chandeliers, and swirling marble.  Pictures don't do justice.  Although I didn't have any feelings myself while there, I could see in my minds eye, the ladies of yesteryear with their long dresses and fancy hats. The gentlemen in their top hats and tails, all filing through the lobby to see something wonderful on the stage. I'm sure there have been many happy moviegoers, buying popcorn and candy and finding the perfect seat for their movie.  Was the past manager there? Maybe… he just didn't make his presence known to me.  But I'm sure he's there, watching over his theater and welcoming all who enter the doors.

 Gary's notes:

I was honored to investigate this Art Deco historical treasure...my parents saw a Charlie Chaplin movie there sixty years ago. I heard some odd sounds about 3:30 a.m. in the balcony and mezzanine that were recorded, as I was there alone with my I.R. camera.  I hope to return with the group in the near future, this time with more audio and video recording equipment in place. This is a fine example of Americana that anyone visiting Richmond will want to visit ...and hear the mighty Wurlitzer!

Nanci's notes:

I have always been interested in Richmond as I was born there. Richmond has haunted places and Civil War history. I was excited to do the Byrd Theater investigation. Although I didn't record anything I did feel a presence in some of the areas of the theater, and look forward to another investigation.

Jonathan's notes:

The Byrd Theater is an outstanding example of the grand theaters of yesteryear, and I was honored we were allowed to investigate it.  I spent most of my time going between the ground floor and the upper balcony, where the ghost of former manager Robert Coulter is supposed to appear frequently. We placed a video camera and cassette recorder there and let them record by themselves. Gary and I also sat in the area recording with the intsruments. At one point I sat by myself on the aisle steps next to what we believe was Coulter's favorite seat, recording. During none of these times did we feel anything, and upon reviewing the recordings got nothing as well. This does not daunt us as ghosts do not show themselves on command. We are very much looking forward to a return trip to the Byrd Theater.