Location: Byrd Theater

Date: 10/20/2007-10/21/2007

City: Richmond

State: Virginia

After our first investigation at the Byrd Theater, the manager, Todd Schall-Vess, told us activity seemed higher in the Fall, and invited us back for another investigation. We took him up on his offer.

Sandy, Jonathan, Gary and Nanci were on the trip this time. We arrived at the Byrd around 11PM and waited for the last showing to let out, then we set up some of our equipment.

This time Richmond-Times Dispatch reporter Cynthia McMullen was along for the investigation. She interviewed us and took notes during the investigation.

Gary set up an infrared camera on the balcony, pointing towards the chair that the ghost of former manager Robert Coulter is supposed to frequent. At one point in the evening the group sat in the front row, discussing the history of the place and sightings with Todd. We kept an eye on the balcony. We did an EVP there as well.

Later in the evening we switched to the upper balcony, and talked to Cynthia while we taking pictures. We also did another EVP while there. Jonathan took multiple photographs of the back of the balcony, and in one of the pictures a blue streak of light, appearing as an orb in motion, is visible. Earlier Jonathan had taken a picture of the area Gary was setting his infrared camera up, and caught a similiar blue streak apparantly infront of the seats, At the time he didn't notice the anamoly in the picture, it wasn't until later when he was reviewing his pictures did he notice this. Sandy also got a picture of a similiar anamoly in the balcony as well.

We were accompanied by Robert H. Lent, who stayed behind after the theater had closed to practice on the wonderful Wurlitzer organ. At one point he even played a couple pieces from Phantom of the Opera. It was a wonderful addition to the investigation. He had a few questions he wanted to ask of Robert Coulter, so we did another EVP up on the balcony.

At one point Jonathan and Robert were walking behind the screen and curtain, and Jonathan heard what sounded like to him a man talking in the theater. He thought it might be Gary, so he asked if Gary was out there. He recieved no answer, and when they walked back into the theater he saw no one was there. Gary came out from the other side, also behind the screen, a moment later, and said he wasn't out there, and it wasn't him. Unbeknownst to Gary his digital audio recorder had been on and recording for an hour in his pocket, and after reviewing this it shows he said nothing, so it couldn't have been him in the theater talking. An echo from the lobby, where some of the others were, and talking, cannot be ruled out, so this must simply go down as an unusual occurance, with no proof of it being paranormal.

We still have data to go over, so this page will be updated with any further information we find. Until then here are some of the pictures we took. On the right picture there is a dust orb in the middle of the picture, and a few other light spots. One is a reflection off the projection room window, the other is a light on the upper balcony.

Once again we would like to thank Todd Schall-Vess for letting us investigate the beautiful and historic Byrd Theater.

Sandy's notes.

Once again my Ghostec team was allowed to stay the night in the Byrd Theater in Richmond, Virginia. This was a visit we all had been looking forward to as it was now fall and we had been told more activity takes place in the fall. When we arrived, we were met by  Staff Writer, Cynthia McMullen of the Richmond Times Dispatch. She was there to do a story on the theater and asked if she could stay with us for awhile. Turned out by evenings end, we all had become friends with Cynthia. We enjoyed answering her questions and explaining our equipment and what we do on investigations. Where ever we went in the theater, there was Cynthia right beside us. What was to be a  "short stay" turned into an all-nighter for her.  We were glad to have her with us and have invited her to come back and be with us again the next time we come to The Byrd. Thanks so much Cynthia, you made our night!!!

Another surprise that night. A young man named Robert H. Lent, asked if we would mind if he practiced on the the organ for an hour or so. Ohhh, what a wonderful idea, for us to hear this beautiful organ that has been in the theater since 1928. To hear Robert play made cold chills run up my arms. He told us of the workings of the organ and also took us to the room where the sounds where made from. I stood there taking in every note Robert played. Then I asked him to play music from "Phantom of the Opera", This just seemed fitting for this theater. His talent on this organ brought tears to my eyes. For a man of only 22 years, his knowledge is way above his age. He had never been on an investigation either but ended up staying the night with us and even helped us do an EVP in the balcony.  Thanks ever so much Robert for being with us and playing the organ. You have a wonderful talent. We look forward to you being with us again also.

With all the extra excitement going on, we pulled our equipment out and started our investigation for the evening. Somehow, the theater seemed very alive. There was much energy in the air. Something we did not feel in our past visit. Each one of us were taking pictures and EVP's. Several EVP's turned out very good, and pictures showed good anomalies. In fact, one picture I took in the balcony showed the beginnings of one and at the same time, as Jonathan was taking pictures it became larger and closer. I think the high light of the evening was when Gary was walking down an aisle of the theater and was touched by something or someone. As we gathered around him, he showed us where he felt  the touch on his leg.  We even had him walk down the aisle again to see if it could have been the arm of a chair he might have hit in the dark.  It wasn't, the chair arm was much higher.  I have since found out that Gary had a bruise on his leg from that evening. 

All in all, it was a great evening. Not only did we make two new friends but to be in this grand theater was such an honor. As we packed up our equipment and headed home, it's as if we leave a friend behind us. But we'll be back, ready to do it all over again. And as we headed out into the dark streets leading us back home you could almost hear a voice saying, "Come back soon, I'll be here waiting for you"  And we will come back!!

Sandy

Gary's notes.

I set up some equipment in the mezzanine and balcony, and walked around with my Sony camcorder and Olympus digital recorder, as well as an EMF and Trifield meter. The most profound occurrence happened just after 4a.m. While everyone was in the lobby, I decided to walk down the right aisle towards the stage... in view of the group. As I approached the stage, I heard a "thud" and felt a sharp pain on my left leg. At the same time, my Olympus recorder went into play mode, and was in my right pocket. This was later debunked as (probably) nothing paranormal... however... I was recording with my Sony camcorder at the time, and you can clearly hear the loud "thud" and recorder activate. I immediately panned the camera around, and you can see there is nothing there that would have struck my leg. The next day, however, I had quite a bruise to prove it!!! Also, Jonathan thought he heard voices coming from the theater lower level while he was behind the curtain, and thought it may have been me... but, my Olympus recorder was recording at the time, as well as my Sony camcorder, and you can clearly see (and hear) it wasn't me, as both will document. Jonathan also got some fantastic light anomalies using a digital camera while he and I were in the balcony. I look forward to returning to the Byrd theater, as I believe Robert Coulter may certainly still be there. It was a special treat to meet Robert Lent and Cynthia McMullen during the investigation. The Byrd Theater is such a special place, and I hope that any renovations or improvements made will not detract from its historical value, and will have Robert Coulters approval!!!