Department of Parks
General Butler To Hold Ghost Hunt

FRANKFORT, Ky. – From time to time, odd, inexplicable things happen at the Butler-Turpin House at General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton, says Evelyn Welch, museum manager.

   A dining-room room clock that hasn’t run for year will suddenly chime. Welch has heard children playing outside the home, only to discover that she is alone. Before the house was acquired by the state, previous owners reported seeing apparitions in the doorways of the graceful, two-story mansion. A local news photographer recently accompanied ghost hunters on a visit to Butler-Turpin; while photos from other assignments were retrieved from the camera’s memory disc, her pictures from that evening mysteriously failed to register on the disc.

      Is the Butler-Turpin House haunted? Decide for yourself. Visit the park on May 20-21 for the “Spirits of Butler,” a weekend devoted to separating the normal from the paranormal at this historic home.

    A highlight of the day will be a presentation by guest speaker paranormal educator Denita Ross. Also scheduled is an appearance by ghost hunter Starr Chaney, who writes on paranormal matters for Fantasma magazine.  Evelyn Welch will discuss folklore surrounding the Butler-Turpin House. Tours led by guides dressed in period clothing will be conducted throughout the day.

   Also on tap are night investigations of the house, grounds and cemetery.

   A Spirits of Butler package includes Saturday night supper and Sunday morning brunch at General Butler’s Two Rivers Restaurant and overnight accommodation in the lodge. The cost is $99 for one person, $159 per couple, plus tax.

     A $20 fee covers a visitor interested only in the scheduled activities and not the meals and overnight stay. To register, call 1-502-732-4384, ext. 2415.

The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov