Wexford General Store Antiques – Investigation

Wexford General Store Antiques – Investigation

 

March 18, 2022

 

Wexford, PA

 

Just off of the main road in Wexford, PA there sits an original building to the old town dating back to the mid 1850’s. This wooden structure has withstood the test of time both environmentally and economically. The business began as a simple general store and, as odds had it, has continued in a similar fashion throughout minimal ownership changes and has been passed down to one family ever since the antique store took over. Aside from its accomplishments and living history, the building holds heroic tales of hiding slaves during the Underground Railroad in hopes of allowing them to find freedom and a new life. Back then, the general store doubled as an apartment building to house those living and working in the store as well as the common visitor from time to time. Those living there or struggling to survive in the area during that time period may have left such a mark that they have returned to this spot in the afterlife. Stories, ever since the antique store’s inception, have been told and retold being passed down to family, employees, and visitors alike of strange occurrences and feelings within the former general store. These stories do not seem to go away as experiences compound over time and continue to grow to this day so much so that the current owners have invited physics and mediums into the building. These otherworldly occurrences bring the Underground Railroad and its horrors to life as the basement holds remnants of that time period in multiple forms. Odd visitations from both an older woman and a young boy seem to stretch throughout the entire building, particularly the second floor, as if searching for someone or something even after their passing.

 

 

The Past

 

As the young but thriving town of Wexford grew in the early 1850’s, there were a multitude of business ventures seemingly up for grabs. However, in that time period, the most lucrative (and somehow not yet established) would be that of a simple general store. The original general store was constructed along the main road, set back just enough to have a full governor’s drive situated out front for plenty of horse tie offs. Known as the Josh Cole Wexford General Store, the building housed a fully functional and nearly always stocked general store with goods readily available for the entire town on the first floor. Above, on the second floor, was a small apartment area for the owners and other family members who helped out in the store. Sometimes, this would double as guest quarters for weary travelers and welcomed visitors.
Throughout its early life, local legend tells that the building functioned as part of the Underground Railroad hiding runaway slaves from the south during the devastating Civil War. The owners were said to provide food and even horses for their escape. This did not always go well; as there were said to be some slaves, and horses even, that were murdered in cold blood by southern sympathizers. These stories have never been verified, simply a tale passed down.

 

 

The general store stood tall through the Great Depression but began to falter as its original owners retired. The business was passed through the family but ultimately closed its doors in the early 1960’s. The current owners came along and purchased the property and transitioned it into its current iteration of an antique shop in 1966.

 

Jim and Marianne Marino turned the upstairs apartments into more open areas for antiques and created an addition allowing the building to occupy 10,000 square feet spread out between two buildings. Nearly every square foot is utilized to display and sell antiques along with artwork by over twenty regular dealers.

 

 

There is not much leftover as far as antiques go from the original building, aside from the building itself, except for an original lantern from the entry to the general store. This lantern is currently situated behind the counter as one of the irreplaceable and priceless antiques the owners have on display.

 

Wexford General Store Antiques truly pulls together a collection of history from the area between the building itself and the antiques that are housed inside its walls. Some visitors come for more than just the antiques, they also come to see the historical value of the building.

 

Paranormal Experiences

 

As it seems with historically dated buildings and property, there would be no surprise to hear some stories that have been passed down in regard to some supernatural occurrences and otherworldly phenomena. These oddities seem to reflect the past’s drama and tragedies but mainly lend its hand to the Stone Tape Theory. This theory is most compared to a recording where the past events seem to repeat themselves but instead of a voice or tape recorder, the building and property function as this medium where the past events and energies are imprinted onto them, and they play back either randomly or based on some type of “play” button or reactionary moment.

 

The current employees have experienced numerous occasions where they have seen or felt energies on the upper floor. These stories are repeated by visitors and tend to pinpoint two separate entities in that location. There is an older woman who appears and disappears on a whim all the while seeming to be searching for something and this points toward her losing a personal item to the antique shop – possibly something a family member sold or gave away after this woman’s passing. The second apparition spotted on the second floor is said to be a young boy. He has also been said to appear as though he is endlessly searching but instead of looking for an item, it comes across more of searching for a person. It is unknown who this could possibly be or who he may be looking for, but it is very possible that this is in relation to a missing or perished family member from the Underground Railroad era of the building.

 

 

In the neighboring property and, in particular the building, strange lights have been seen here moving all throughout the building. Even when the building is completely closed and locked up, passersby’s have made claims of these lights moving around as if someone is inside with a flashlight. As they alert the antique store and/or authorities, these claims are investigated and there is never anyone found inside nor anything out of place. It is unknown what this could be but there is nothing associated with or written about this location.

 

As the owners continued to investigate some of these anomalies, they were actually directed toward more of someone who could deal in the paranormal realm and contacted a local medium. This medium noticed the previous claims but could not identify these spirits, however, she was pulled much more toward the basement. In this spot, there were strong feelings of tragic and disastrous energies dating back to the Civil War era when the original building was constructed. This energy gave the medium certain feelings of former slaves escaping the south through the Underground Railroad and being chased, and possibly found, by their captors or sympathizers. It is still not fully known how many of these slaves’ energies have been recorded and stored here but it also seems to incorporate horses as this medium also heard horses whinnying and neighing as if frightened.

 

Between the known history and the verbally passed down stories, this building seems to hold a specific energy and draw. This energy has even drawn us in and given us odd feelings and sensations at one point in time as we visited the intriguing antique shop to simply shop even before hearing about the possibility of hauntings and tragic past associated with it.

 

Investigation

 

After spending an evening inside the main building and viewing the neighboring building via video, we recorded and experienced a multitude of odd, possibly supernatural activity throughout numerous areas. The more active hot spots include: the Indian Head Room in the rear of the first floor, the Library down the sunken hallway on the second floor, and the Up Couple’s Room (front room in the sunken hallway). There was some more minor activity in the Hallway on the second floor and the Neighboring Building across the driveway that was noted on the security cameras. Each specific spot gave us evidence and provided us with small pieces of a larger story. The time spent here allowed us to capture odd noises whistling, knocks, and phantom footsteps as well as recordings and verbal communication along with more personal experiences that gave us both chills and a sense of electricity at the same time. What we gathered here helped guide us to our conclusion believing that there is a unique combination of both intelligent and residual energies attached to both the building and across the antiques which are housed here.

 

For the most part, the paranormal experiences we encountered, and were able to communicate with, tended to be both warm and friendly. A sense of willing and wanting to speak with us, as well as a more closed off and protective sensation, were felt. As we have experienced on other investigations the spirits did not want to give away too much information. They were possibly afraid to get caught by providing this to us. The other sensations we experienced, where the spirits did not want to communicate but rather make some noises and simply come close to our tools out of curiosity, was that of a feeling of anxiety and fear as if they were cowering in the shadows and corners of the rooms and afraid to speak with us or even come too close. The overall sense is that the more comfortable these spirits got with us, the more they were willing to come forward and speak.

 

 

They seemed to move in the shadows, however, and really only captured through our night vision video cameras on the rare occasion. The few opportunities we did have to physically see them was thanks to our SLS camera where we captured a moving figure and the FLIR thermal camera where we spotted a shorter cold spot.

 

As each of our sessions drew on and began to provide intelligent responses and accurate and intriguing information, we were either forced out of each location by that protective spirit or we simply were not getting any additional or useful information and just began to be toyed with more regularly. Overall, the longer we spent in an area, the more the spirits trusted us and felt safe to communicate.

 

 

We have come to the conclusion that there was enough paranormal activity experienced and captured during our paranormal investigation of the Wexford General Store Antique Shop, in Wexford, PA on the evening of March 18, 2022, to state that not only the main building but also the secondary building acts as an eternal home for multiple and unique energies throughout each area.

 

Basement

 

We began in the Basement but only managed to record a few odd noises including knocks and heavy breaths, however, we did feel that these spirits were very nervous that we were nearby and seemingly afraid to speak with us. We were not able to ascertain whether the presences in the basement were fearful of us and the process or if they were exhibiting anxiety from when they walked this earth. We believe there is a story to be told by the spirits in the basement and believe we will have more communication with them if we return for a follow-up visit.

 

Photos

 

• There was nothing captured out of the ordinary here but we did attach a few pictures for documentation purposes.

 

 

 

Recorder 1 – EVP 1

 

 

• At :39, we heard a greeting of “Hello” after we explained our intentions.

 

Recorder 2 – EVP 2

 

 

• A knock could be heard at :27 as one of the investigators was walking around.

 

Video 1

 

• There was nothing substantial which occurred through videos down in this area, not to mention our IR light failed us and all that could be seen is darkness.

 

Indian Head Room

 

We were then drawn into the rear of the building with that overwhelming electric sensation where we nicknamed this area the Indian Head Room due to the large bust of the Native American looming over us. Here, the activity began slowly, as the spirits took some time to get used to us. Eventually, they began to open up using the K2 meter and Ovilus until they gained enough energy to activate the motion activated light aiming into the corner. Our communication here was with an intelligent energy as we captured and recorded comments on our current actions and responses to questions we asked of them. We captured the name David on multiple occasions here as well as a slew of communication in regards to the judicial system, water, and murder.

 

We also had something thrown in our direction in a desperate attempt to either get our attention or draw our attention elsewhere. We eventually found what it was after crawling on the floor; a dime. What followed was the figure of a full body captured in the SLS camera moving from side to side and leaning against the desk in the center of the room. There are still numerous pieces to the communication here that have yet to be given a proper and clear explanation but there is a likelihood of the spirits being drawn to this location due more to an item like the desk, table, or artwork rather than the building itself. Responses gained through our spirit box and Ovilus devices identified objects in the room. A static recorder was left here when we were moving about which also recorded some phantom footsteps, knocks, and bangs which came across like something was falling over.

 

Photos

 

• Pictured below through the SLS camera is a figure sitting on the right side of the image, next to our investigator, who can also be seen on the left side.

 

 

• The figure moved across the area and can be seen through the SLS camera surrounded by the purple aura below.

 

 

• The K2 Meter could be seen jumping up to a middle setting as one of the energies seemed to approach it.

 

 

Recorder 1 – Static 1

 

 

• What could be hear, as we set down our static recorders and simply let them run during a period of time, was what sounded to us like a cork popped off a bottle of champagne in some ethereal celebration. This was heard at :11.

 

Recorder 2 – Static 2

 

 

• A knock sound could be heard at :11 even though no one was in the building at this point.

 

Recorder 3 – Static 3

 

 

• At :05, a knock was captured echoing from this room.

 

Recorder 4 – Static 4

 

 

• Further anomalies were captured with this static method as heavy breathing, almost a panting, could be heard at :06 followed by a loud bang at :16.

 

Recorder 5 – Spirit Box 1

 

 

• After we discussed the K2 meter lighting up, we heard these energies being shocked with “What?!” at :18.

 

Recorder 6 – Spirit Box 2

 

 

• We placed the K2 meter against an antique table and we heard an intelligent understanding of this placement with “Against” at :12.
• At :26, we could be heard reacting to the K2 meter lighting up and we heard “Great” at :31.
• After we asked for their name we heard “Dave” repeated at :57 and again at :59.

 

Recorder 7 – Spirit Box 3

 

 

• While we tried to debunk the K2 meter activity, we were told “Hey!” at :12.
• We discussed getting headphones and attempt the ESTES Method and were told “Later” at :48 and “After” at :56 after we asked when they wanted us to get the headphones.

 

Recorder 8 – Spirit Box 4

 

 

• We were told that they were not a female with a “No” at :21.
• Confusing us further, we were also told that they were not a male with another “No” response at :37.

 

Recorder 9 – Spirit Box 5

 

 

• Amazingly, we captured a coin (a dime) being thrown at us and this moment was heard in this clip at :05. Not one of the investigators had any change on them at the time.
• We were then told to “Look” at :15 as if in direct reference to this.

 

Recorder 10 – Spirit Box 6

 

 

• As we were still discussing the coin, we laid it on the desk next to us trying to debunk this in any fashion. To add to their intelligence, we heard “Desk” at :23.
• Following some Ovilus communication, we asked if they were murdered and stabbed and heard “Yup” at :51 as if confirming this.
• We asked if grabbed the dime and heard another confirmation that someone did move it with another “Yup” at 1:10.

 

Video 1 – Spirit Box 1

 

• The K2 meter can be seen spiking at about 2:35.

 

 

Video 2 – Spirit Box 2

 

• The K2 meter again could be seen jumping, pinpointing an energy in the area, at 2:01.

 

 

Video 3 – Spirit Box 3

 

• The K2 meter continued here as it jumped to the highest setting of red at :01 and :03 while it flickered sporadically at about :05.

 

 

Up Couple’s Room

 

After a failed attempt at communication in the Front Left Room of the first floor, our next stop was upstairs to the front room which we named the Up Couple’s Room after the sensations we received previously of an elderly couple who were warm and welcoming (like the adorable couple from Up). Right off the bat we felt very accommodated by friendly hosts, that type of feeling you got as you were greeted by your grandparents with sandwiches and treats. It took a little time to get the communication lines opened here but following some knocks and minimal flashlight activity, we received communication via the Spirit Box utilizing the ESTES Method. The ESTES Method is a technique where one of us wears noise canceling headphones connected to the spirit box. Each thing heard over the headphones is said out loud, not knowing the context of the responses.

 

There were multiple occasions where we heard words specific to antiques and family heirlooms including “Table” and the feeling of a decoration placed atop it. Eventually, we spotted a shadow moving in the hall and felt the sensation that the older couple was pushed out of the way as another spirit forced its way into the room. This may be that overly protective entity we encountered on numerous occasions during the night. We drew this conclusion based on words and phrases such as “Not me,” “Go,” and “Gone.” 

 

Photos

 

• We attached a screen capture from a light movement we recorded in the hallway looking towards this room on the static camera.

 

 

Recorder 1 – EVP 1

 

 

• As we were discussing our communication attempt, a knocking could be heard at :06.

 

Recorder 2 – EVP 2

 

 

• While one of the investigators was returning to the room, he could be heard walking down the aisle but at about :03 a loud crashing noise could be heard but surprisingly nothing was found out of place in the least bit.

 

Recorder 3 – EVP 3

 

 

• We discussed our communication and a flashlight was pushed over at :05 but what was very intriguing was a indecipherable voice captured right before that.

 

Video 1 – Trail Camera 1

 

• This camera was angled just outside this room and showed an odd light turning off at :02

 

 

Library

 

As we were unceremoniously forced out during our last session, we headed down the hallway where the shadow was spotted and into the Library. Even though we began with a quiet EVP session, this led to a pair of whistles and an unknown object thrown in the nook. Unlike the dime, we could not pinpoint this object. Right before we began the Spirit Box, we spotted a shorter cold spot using the FLIR thermal imaging camera. We once again utilized the ESTES method and recorded countless and priceless information regarding the spirit of a young, seven year old girl named Jennifer. She told us she died nearby but not necessarily in the FLIR building or on the property. She was drawn back to this spot due to a lot of things but in particular her love of books and her family and other families who owned the building. She liked to play with our flashlights so it made it difficult to tell if she passed away from an illness as her flashlight response alluded to or if she was just playing with it at the time. We were even given some young girl sassy attitude as we were called stupid twice and that she preferred to be called a lady. Jennifer explained that she’s the one who pointed out the bird in the book for the woman who had scrounged the store looking for a rare type of bird. We were told the story of a book falling off the shelf when the owners were assisting a patron looking for a picture of a bird.

 

She was, unfortunately, very evasive of her parents and families names as well as any specific dates about her like her birthday and day she died. The only piece of information she did supply us with was the month of her birth; May. After quite a bit of time here, we had to end our communication so we could continue the investigation elsewhere and allow Jennifer time to recover and rest. Before we finished, she did tell us that she liked talking to us and agreed not to follow us but instead to focus on rest.

 

Photos

 

• A cold spot was captured here using the FLIR thermal imaging camera, as if a shorter, possibly a child, was standing behind the investigator.

 

 

Recorder 1 – EVP

 

 

• There was a whistling we heard, in person at the time, at :04 but we could not pinpoint what this could have been.
• At 1:06, a small tapping was heard as if someone was trying to get our attention from the back nook.

 

Video 1 – Trail Camera 1

 

• This view was angled down the hallway just outside the Library where we spotted a dark shadow moving earlier in the night. Unfortunately, this was not captured but what was seen was an odd light moving at the tail end of this clip.

 

 

Lasagna Room

 

One of the rooms toward the back side of the building down the hallway, we stopped in what we considered the Lasagna Room due to the layer upon layer of energies and ties to both the building and the items here. We once again tried to use the Spirit Box for communication here but had very limited success rates. During this time, we believe we encountered almost too many spirits making it much too difficult for any individual to communicate with us. We did record a few words here including the name Nathaniel Connor, the word scheming, and another word repeated starting with the letter A. Even so, none of this could be conclusive nor deemed as very accurate and no further interactions took place here.

 

Photos

 

• The K2 meter could be seen flickering as it was set on the table in the center of the room.

 

 

Recorder 1 – EVP

 

 

• While we didn’t capture anything in particular here, we did want to at least document the time we did spend here with our recording that didn’t seem to hold much on it in terms of the supernatural.

 

Second Floor Hallway

 

The final location of the evening was down the Hallway of the second floor. We did not encounter the allusive woman in white who has been spotted here but our stationary video cameras did record some moments of light anomalies moving down this area. We decided to change up our technique and tools in this spot and used the Phasma Box in lieu of the Spirit Box. Our approach allowed us to gather a combination of both intelligent and residual energies here but mainly came from attachments to items rather than the building itself. These residual moments were recorded in the noise of an instrument and distant conversations between unseen forces. However, the more intelligent communication seemed to want us out as we heard “Leave” and “Go” followed by laughter. In our final moments here, we were told that they did not like us and once more to “Go” before a formal send off of “Goodnight.”

 

Photos

 

• The first still was captured from a stationary video camera which did record a moment which seemed to show some light actually turning on inside the lantern placed on the table.

 

 

• This next screen capture showed the camera malfunctioning as if something had overloaded it or caused a sudden energy spike.

 

 

Recorder 1 – Phasma Box 1

 

 

• Early on here, at :04, we were told to “Leave.”

 

Recorder 2 – Phasma Box 2

 

 

• After we asked for their name, we heard “Bill” at :48.

 

Recorder 3 – Phasma Box 3

 

 

• Even though our communication didn’t take much form, we did hear a plea of theirs that they enjoyed hearing us speak to them with “Talk to me” at :07.
• Surprisingly, we heard “Don’t like me” at :10 as if they didn’t think we liked them or perhaps some other energy in the building didn’t like them.

 

Recorder 4 – Phasma Box 4

 

 

• After we continued communication, we heard an apology with “Apologies” at :08 as if they realized we did like them and we did want to speak to them.
• We then heard “Ask anybody” at :46 as if they were well known in this area after living here in the past.

 

Video 1 – Trail Camera 1

 

• The lantern on the right side of the hallway could be seen lighting up as if someone was attempting to turn it on in the afterlife.

 

 

Security Camera Footage – Neighboring Building

 

The end of our investigation was not the end of our evidence or review. Our stationary camera was trained on the security footage of the Neighboring Building where we captured quite a few light anomalies moving from room to room, as well as outside the entry. Even though we did not spend any time formally investigating this area, we deem this activity as paranormal as no one stepped foot inside this area during any of these occurrences.

 

Photos

 

• This first image is a moment where a mist dashed past the antique table in one of the show rooms in the outer building.

 

 

• The white mist we previously noticed re-appeared at the front door of this exterior location. It moved toward the door then paused before disappearing.

 

 

• This entry door must have been some hot spot for these energies as another anomaly appeared at the front door. This time, though, it was in the form of a strange bright white light pausing at the front door prior to disappearing.

 

 

Video 1 – Security Camera 1

 

• These footage clips of the owners security cameras encapsulated four different areas which we reviewed after the night since we were not going to have the ability to spend time in each individual location. Fortunately, after hours of review, we did manage to capture some seemingly paranormal activity in each, This activity was focused on the large room with the dining room table as some moments were shadows and mists moving around it as well as oddities at the front door.

 

 

 

 

We have full confidence stating that the combination of our evidence, experience, and research have allowed us to conclude that there are numerous spirits and energies spread throughout the property and call the antique store and its property home. Others remain here due to a strong attachment to the items rather than the building. After our experiences, data collected, and cross referenced information, there remains no doubts in our minds that the Wexford General Store Antique Shop attracts and withholds large amounts of energy and is seemingly full of both intelligent and residual energies. This intertwined energy seems to be caught in an intriguing web between the building and the antiques which remain inside of it. We do believe that the big hearts and open minds of the owners and families who have held claim over this property in the past act as a huge piece of allowing these spirits to find an eternal home and the confidence to reach out and interact with our world by providing a warm, welcoming, and loving atmosphere.

 

 

We have met a lot of great, interesting people during our paranormal investigations. Josh and Shannon from the Wexford General Store Antique Shop are right up there at the top of the list. We appreciated their willingness to turn over their location to us for the night to give the spirits that dwell within it a chance to speak once again. We also cannot thank them enough for sharing the interest in the paranormal that has kept us going all these years. Their respect for those long since passed and positive energy they bring to the space allows the spirits of the Wexford General Store Antique Shop to feel a sense of belonging and safety. We hope to be invited back for further conversations and investigations of this beautiful and historic location.