| Sorg Opera House Investigation Middletown, Ohio March 28, 2008 (over-night) |
Brief History of site:
Sorg Opera House was built in 1891 by Paul John Sorg (photo above). Mr Sorg built the opera house for his wife who
carried a grand interest in music and performing arts. The establishment was built to seat 700 guests. The "colored"
were allowed to view performances from the upper foremost level of the theatre with a separate entrance for them to arrive
through. This structure remained as an Opera House until 1915, at which time it became a movie theatre. In 1985, the
building was once again returned to a stage theatre. The building is still open and runs many various entertainment
venues including a haunted house during the Halloween season.
Alleged Haunts:
It is believed that Mr. Sorg still visits the establishment and roams around the stage and catwalk areas of the theatre,
possibly still overseeing the technical aspects of upcoming performances. The catwalk area also holds a legend of a
stage worker who fell to his death, some say it possibly could have been suicide. He too is said to still remain in the
theatre/ stage area. Two ladies are also rumored to still return to the theatre, one in a white dress and the other in a red
dress. Who could these ladies be, possibly an actress, singer or even Mrs. Sorg herself? Last but not least, the "colored
section" is also said to have its own returning male visitor. This male is said to be seen sitting in the same sit each time
and visits so often that current workers will actually leave a program for him to possibly read. Of note, yes there was a
program sitting on the bench during our visit!!
LT-Ohio members were invited by ParaVizionz to carry out an overnight investigation of this opera house on March 28,
2008, and we gladly accepted the invitation! Due to some travel issues, members arrived a bit late, just before 11pm and
stayed until 4am the following morning. Members available for investigation were; Michele, Russell and Lori. The night
was clear with half of the moon and temperatures beginning in the low 40s and dropped to low 30s by early morning hours.
Equipment used by LT-members include: 3 Digital cameras
2 Digital infrared thermometers
2 Digital voice recorders
1 EMF detector
Summary of group investigation notes:
* Quite a few cold spots were encountered and recorded by equipment. Temperature changes recorded with differences
ranging from 5 to 17 degrees.
* While Lori and Michele sat in the main seating area, faint sights of a lady in a white dress were reported by both
members. They both reported it initially it looked as though she was peeking from around the curtain, movement of curtain
at this time as also reported. She (lady in white) was again reported, within minutes, to be standing in the middle of the
stage area looking out towards the seats.
* Just after note above, one encounter of these drastic temperature changes was recorded when Lori and Michele were
seating in the main theatre seats. Both members reported feeling a sudden change in temperature, at times bone chilling.
Both began recording the actual temperature. Members, at this time, found it very curious as temperatures were recorded
to be 53 degrees around Michele, who was sitting a row ahead of Lori, and temp recordings showed 42 around Lori just
behind Michele!
* Temperatures were so chilling (above) members decided to move into the main entrance area to retrieve a few
sweaters/coats, and once walking out of the theatre area, both members heard a very loud "squeak" noise. This sound
stopped both members in their trackers, asking "...What was that"? Lori reported "her hair standing up everywhere", and
once over the shock of the sound took this photo.... (Please feel free to copy and enlarge for better detail effect).
* Michele and Russell ventured up to the catwalk section and carried out some EVP work after others on investigation had
left the area. Lori did not venture this area due to the steep steps and a fright of heights. While working on EVPs, they
did capture an EVP while asking if the worker's name was Henry and immediately after you can hear a very strong "NO".
(Click here to listen). Also on this recording you can hear loud crashing and strange sounds that were not heard from
below or from either member on the actual catwalk.?
* Russell, Michele and Lori visited the "colored section" up above and while walking through and investigating, Lori
reported hearing the sound of coins jingling around. Members moved their pant pockets around and no coins jingled!?
While in the segregated area, members did see a program sitting on a bench, but did not encounter the returning visitor of
this particular area.
* All three members visited/investigated the ballroom/bar area of the opera house. They sat at the bar, grabbed a bite to
eat and took some photos, while running recording devices. Joking around, Michele asked if the bartender if he was
around if he would mind having his photo taken, and below is what she captured when taking the picture...... ?
* LT Members sat totally alone for over an hour, as others had left, and while doing so seen many shadows darting back
and forth from time to time (stage area and lower rows of seating). Temperature changes were once again
noted/recorded and orbs did show up on photo's just after these encounters.
* As LT members were leaving and packing up their equipment, etc in the main entrance area, the loud "squeak" was
once again heard among members. This made for the third time for the investigation, and now Russell took his turn at
debunking the sound and could not. No photos were taken as cameras were already packed away, awaiting departure
from site.
* Of note, loud sounds as though "something crashing to the floor" were heard at times throughout the night/morning.
Group members tried to debunk these but were unable to for the majority.
Footnote:
First we would like to again send a huge Thank you to Lee, of Pravizionz, for inviting us to join in on this investigation!!!
We would recommend, if given the chance to visit this historical site, to surely do so if not just for the grand history,
architecture and possible ghostly side of things. Members do agree to a possible follow-up of this structure in the future.
Thanks again Lee.
Back to investigation report page
Back to top of page
Sorg Opera House was built in 1891 by Paul John Sorg (photo above). Mr Sorg built the opera house for his wife who
carried a grand interest in music and performing arts. The establishment was built to seat 700 guests. The "colored"
were allowed to view performances from the upper foremost level of the theatre with a separate entrance for them to arrive
through. This structure remained as an Opera House until 1915, at which time it became a movie theatre. In 1985, the
building was once again returned to a stage theatre. The building is still open and runs many various entertainment
venues including a haunted house during the Halloween season.
Alleged Haunts:
It is believed that Mr. Sorg still visits the establishment and roams around the stage and catwalk areas of the theatre,
possibly still overseeing the technical aspects of upcoming performances. The catwalk area also holds a legend of a
stage worker who fell to his death, some say it possibly could have been suicide. He too is said to still remain in the
theatre/ stage area. Two ladies are also rumored to still return to the theatre, one in a white dress and the other in a red
dress. Who could these ladies be, possibly an actress, singer or even Mrs. Sorg herself? Last but not least, the "colored
section" is also said to have its own returning male visitor. This male is said to be seen sitting in the same sit each time
and visits so often that current workers will actually leave a program for him to possibly read. Of note, yes there was a
program sitting on the bench during our visit!!
LT-Ohio members were invited by ParaVizionz to carry out an overnight investigation of this opera house on March 28,
2008, and we gladly accepted the invitation! Due to some travel issues, members arrived a bit late, just before 11pm and
stayed until 4am the following morning. Members available for investigation were; Michele, Russell and Lori. The night
was clear with half of the moon and temperatures beginning in the low 40s and dropped to low 30s by early morning hours.
Equipment used by LT-members include: 3 Digital cameras
2 Digital infrared thermometers
2 Digital voice recorders
1 EMF detector
Summary of group investigation notes:
* Quite a few cold spots were encountered and recorded by equipment. Temperature changes recorded with differences
ranging from 5 to 17 degrees.
* While Lori and Michele sat in the main seating area, faint sights of a lady in a white dress were reported by both
members. They both reported it initially it looked as though she was peeking from around the curtain, movement of curtain
at this time as also reported. She (lady in white) was again reported, within minutes, to be standing in the middle of the
stage area looking out towards the seats.
* Just after note above, one encounter of these drastic temperature changes was recorded when Lori and Michele were
seating in the main theatre seats. Both members reported feeling a sudden change in temperature, at times bone chilling.
Both began recording the actual temperature. Members, at this time, found it very curious as temperatures were recorded
to be 53 degrees around Michele, who was sitting a row ahead of Lori, and temp recordings showed 42 around Lori just
behind Michele!
* Temperatures were so chilling (above) members decided to move into the main entrance area to retrieve a few
sweaters/coats, and once walking out of the theatre area, both members heard a very loud "squeak" noise. This sound
stopped both members in their trackers, asking "...What was that"? Lori reported "her hair standing up everywhere", and
once over the shock of the sound took this photo.... (Please feel free to copy and enlarge for better detail effect).
* Michele and Russell ventured up to the catwalk section and carried out some EVP work after others on investigation had
left the area. Lori did not venture this area due to the steep steps and a fright of heights. While working on EVPs, they
did capture an EVP while asking if the worker's name was Henry and immediately after you can hear a very strong "NO".
(Click here to listen). Also on this recording you can hear loud crashing and strange sounds that were not heard from
below or from either member on the actual catwalk.?
* Russell, Michele and Lori visited the "colored section" up above and while walking through and investigating, Lori
reported hearing the sound of coins jingling around. Members moved their pant pockets around and no coins jingled!?
While in the segregated area, members did see a program sitting on a bench, but did not encounter the returning visitor of
this particular area.
* All three members visited/investigated the ballroom/bar area of the opera house. They sat at the bar, grabbed a bite to
eat and took some photos, while running recording devices. Joking around, Michele asked if the bartender if he was
around if he would mind having his photo taken, and below is what she captured when taking the picture...... ?
* LT Members sat totally alone for over an hour, as others had left, and while doing so seen many shadows darting back
and forth from time to time (stage area and lower rows of seating). Temperature changes were once again
noted/recorded and orbs did show up on photo's just after these encounters.
* As LT members were leaving and packing up their equipment, etc in the main entrance area, the loud "squeak" was
once again heard among members. This made for the third time for the investigation, and now Russell took his turn at
debunking the sound and could not. No photos were taken as cameras were already packed away, awaiting departure
from site.
* Of note, loud sounds as though "something crashing to the floor" were heard at times throughout the night/morning.
Group members tried to debunk these but were unable to for the majority.
Footnote:
First we would like to again send a huge Thank you to Lee, of Pravizionz, for inviting us to join in on this investigation!!!
We would recommend, if given the chance to visit this historical site, to surely do so if not just for the grand history,
architecture and possible ghostly side of things. Members do agree to a possible follow-up of this structure in the future.
Thanks again Lee.
Back to investigation report page
Back to top of page
