An Interpretation of Personal Experience
In an interview with M. B. Avery, I questioned her about a supposed haunted location near Denver, North Carolina, referred to by locals as Vesuvius Furnace. It was interesting to hear that her fifth grade class had recently taken a field trip there, to learn about the current state of the former plantation. Vesuvius Furnace now operates as Vesuvius Vineyards, hosting wedding receptions, corporate dinners, birthday parties and class reunions (Thompson & Lineberger III, 2011).
When I asked M.B. if the current owners made any mention of the ghosts, she referred me to photograph hanging on the wall in the front room of an orb caught above the furnace on the property, stating that was the only mention given. An interesting fact given however was that the current owners do not allow overnight visitors, perhaps offering some sort of testament to the haunted history of the home (Avery, 2011). Yes, it was age appropriate for the fifth grade class trip to lack the former lure of Vesuvius; it was fascinating to M.B. and myself that the owners of the house would not utilize their fame as being haunted to capitalize on economic gains as well. Regardless, M.B., still quite interested in the ghostly aspect of Vesuvius, had some interesting history to tell in our chat.
When I asked M.B. if the current owners made any mention of the ghosts, she referred me to photograph hanging on the wall in the front room of an orb caught above the furnace on the property, stating that was the only mention given. An interesting fact given however was that the current owners do not allow overnight visitors, perhaps offering some sort of testament to the haunted history of the home (Avery, 2011). Yes, it was age appropriate for the fifth grade class trip to lack the former lure of Vesuvius; it was fascinating to M.B. and myself that the owners of the house would not utilize their fame as being haunted to capitalize on economic gains as well. Regardless, M.B., still quite interested in the ghostly aspect of Vesuvius, had some interesting history to tell in our chat.
When questioned if she had, had any paranormal experiences at Vesuvius, M.B. stated that while her and her father were working on the restoration of the home, they entered the basement, while the power off, with flashlights to look for the breaker box. The basement contained chains and other former slave punishment tools, so it was already quite eerie. Then, according to M.B., a light bulb in the basement started glowing as bright as day, with the power in the house still shut off. M.B. and her father high-tailed it out of the basement, and would not return without a full party in tow (Avery, 2011). This incident explains a snippet of M.B.’s history with Vesuvius, but I was also interested in her history with the paranormal in general. M.B. tells me she is and has been interested in the paranormal since her first experience when she was only eleven years old. When asked about the Hollywood appeal of the paranormal, M.B. scoffs, stating,
“I do not appreciate the Hollywood version. It’s just too overdone!” (Avery, 2011). |
(Flickr.com, 2011)
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("Work van," 2011)
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To further justify M.B.’s stories, I asked her if she knew of anyone else that had ever had paranormal experiences while at Vesuvius. M.B. introduced me to her mother-in-law who told me a story of accompanying her husband, while they were working on the upstairs front room on the left side of the house, also referred to as the “Death Room.” This room is the location where important bodies laid in state for mourning. While painting this room during the renovation, only present with her husband, the couple heard the door of his work van open slowly. No one else was present at the house, the van was parked behind the house, locked, and his keys were in his pocket. After going to investigate and shutting the door to the van, the couple
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resumed work. However, a few minutes later they heard the front door open and slam shut, again, while no one else was present on the roped off renovation site. Needless to say, the couple quickly left, and did not return without M.B.’s father and his work crew, in the daylight (Avery, 2011).