Lockdown at the Brisbin House
Mo Valley Paranormal probes energy at Osceola Mills library
By Andy Stine
astine@altoonamirror.com
OSCEOLA MILLS — Tyson Lidgett formed Mo Valley Paranormal in August 2012 with the idea that the group wanted to help people who were experiencing unexplained activity in their homes and who were looking for answers.
The idea that started out in homes eventually grew to businesses, and now Lidgett and his company are hosting a lockdown at the Brisbin House on March 28. The Brisbin House also serves as the public library in Osceola Mills.
The events, which are typically held on Saturday nights, run from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m.
The group first held a lockdown two years ago at the library, and Lidgett refers to the library as “attached energy.”
The library is home to three different museums. In the basement is a mining and agriculture museum, the first floor is the library, while the second floor is a museum of historical items from Osceola Mills’ history.
“You have a lot of stuff like wedding dresses, china, pocket watches, suits, baby carriages,” Lidgett said. “Stuff that people held dear to them. The third floor is all military uniforms, weapons. They may have some of their energy attached to it.”
Lidgett, who works as a corrections officer at SCI Houtzdale, said that Mo Valley Paranormal is very passionate about cases where children are involved and are experiencing mysterious activity in their homes. He believes that no child should be afraid in their home, and the group moves those types of cases to the top of the list.
“The mission statement is dedicated to taking the fear away from the unknown,” Lidgett said. “We feel that the paranormal is something that should be understood and not feared. Eventually we all become whatever this is.
“Whether we stay around or we don’t, I have no idea. If I had the answer to that, I wouldn’t be a corrections officer.”
If homeowners are experiencing unexplained activity in their residence, Lidgett says it is often helpful to try to communicate with them. Simple questions or statements such as: “I heard you,” “Can I help you?” or “Do you need help?” are sometimes enough to help activity calm down.
“You’re giving acknowledgement that they exist and they’re there, and you’re putting out that you’re willing to help,” Lidgett said.
There have also been negative voices saying “Get out” when spirits do not want the group there. But Lidgett says the most basic way of knowing the spirits do not want you in places is by ignoring you.
“The most basic way they show they don’t want us to be there, they say nothing at all,” Lidgett said. “I say at all of our events that I cannot guarantee activity.”
Lidgett and one member of his group were also the creators of a TV show called “Hometown Haunts,” that was broadcast on WWCP-FOX out of Johnstown. Lidgett served as the host of the show that went to various places of business that have experienced unexplained events.
The show was discontinued after 13 episodes due to time constraints for Lidgett, but it was enjoyable for him.
“We weren’t trying to placate whether (a building) was haunted or not,” Lidgett said. “We just showed investigations, and we let the viewer decide if it was haunted or not. It was fun.”
While the investigation at Brisbin House is sold out, more events are planned at other locations. For more information on future events, visit Mo Valley Paranormal on Facebook at facebook.com/MoValleyParanormal or online at mo-valleyparanormal.com.