Brumder Mansion Bed & Breakfast - Milwaukee, WI

This report is from Appleton Paranormal

Brumder Mansion Bed & Breakfast

November 9, 2008

Conclusion:

VISUAL EVIDENCE:

A.P.I. was unable to gather any visual evidence other than video recordings of other evidentiary tools in operation such as EMF detectors fluctuating or dowsing rod movement during communication sessions. Only a couple of photographs showed anything, and those were unsubstantiated orb activity which, due to a lack of other corroborating evidence, could be explained as dust or moisture in the air.

AUDIO EVIDENCE:

A.P.I. captured various audio experiences during the investigation, but these were seemingly normal occurrences given the age of the structure and the household material present such as HVAC equipment. Throughout the evening, various knocks and creaks were captured, and while some were unexplained, there was nothing to indicate any paranormal sources of these noises.

TECHNICAL EVIDENCE:

EMF readings throughout the building were relatively steady and unremarkable. Only two areas within the building exhibited EMF readings that were notable: The first area was in the laundry room in the basement of the facility. This extremely high area of EMF was emanating from the dehumidifier operating in the room. The readings were well into the 190s and above. The second area was located in the Gold Room. In this instance, there was a higher-than-normal reading which emanated from the electric digital clock on the nightstand. In both circumstances, it is possible that any person who has EMF sensitivities could experience the usual negative effects such as paranoia, nausea, feelings of being watched, and a susceptibility towards visual and auditory illusions.

Temperature readings throughout the evening were relatively steady. A couple of minor fluctuations were noted such as a ‘cold feeling’ or a small ‘cold spot’, but there was nothing major to report from this evidence.

A.P.I. uses dowsing rods as another tool to help communication. In a couple of instances, responses appeared to be given to direct questioning. A.P.I. acknowledges that these ‘responses’, while very interesting, do not necessarily constitute firm evidence of paranormal activity. There was no corroborating evidence such as EVPs or EMFs detected during these sessions. Those who review this evidence are asked to keep this in mind when drawing any distinct conclusions.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES:

There were no notable personal experiences besides hearing the previously mentioned creaks, or knocks. Team B did believe they heard a door rattle, but nothing that was experienced was corroborated by other evidence collected.

Team members agreed that there was no overall ‘feeling’ by anyone of any presence during our investigation. Team members felt comfortable in the building and did not have any physical experiences which could be construed as personal evidence of paranormal activity.

ANALYSIS:

Appleton Paranormal Investigations was unable to collect any evidence of paranormal activity during this investigation. While others persons have, in the past, reported unexplained experiences, no such happenings occurred during our visit.

One notable issue is that of the reported history of the Mansion. In particular, the topic of a Brumder family member reported named Susan and referred to as ‘Aunt Pussy’ in mansion legend. In a conversation with the Brumder Mansion innkeeper, it was revealed that in a discussion she had with a Brumder family member that no such person existed. This may lend credence to the theory that at least some of the previously reported paranormal experiences were created by the previous owner of the facility.

NOTE: A.P.I. recognizes that simply because no evidence was collected during our investigation which would indicate a paranormal presence, that does not eliminate the possibility of such activity altogether. Paranormal activity is often sporadic, and while we cannot conclude that it does exist in this location, we cannot conclude that it does not. We simply did not collect any evidence towards either conclusion.

A SPECIAL THANKS

Appleton Paranormal Investigations would like to thank Tom & Julie Carr, owners of the Brumder Mansion Bed & Breakfast, as well as Innkeeper Cheryl Deppe, for their incredible graciousness and their decision to allow API access to their beautiful inn.

They were very interested in our work and very trusting in allowing us complete access to all the public areas of the facility. Cheryl also treated Team API to a wonderful breakfast on Monday morning, and for that we were especially grateful.

We look forward to assisting the Brumder owners & staff in the future with any concerns or inquiries.

Ghost Hunters Return to Investigate The Brumder

This article is from the www.examiner.com

July 22, 1:29 AM by Cheri Esperon

The Ghost Hunters of Northern Alliance of Paranormal Investigators have been asked to return to the Brumder Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Milwaukee for a second investigation. Owners of the Brumder Mansion, Tom and Julie Carr invited Northern Alliance of Paranormal Investigators in to help prove or disprove the urban legends and past tales of hauntings surrounding the historic mansion. Built in 1910 by publisher George Brumder, the Victorian mansion boasts a colorful history. It has served many purposes; boarding house, parsonage, Lutheran youth-group coffee house/ music venue and even a hideaway for supposed prohibition-era mobster, Sam Picks. Today the mansion is an elegant bed and breakfast, and is filled with antiques, photos and historic costumes- any of which may be the cause for the paranormal activity within.

Northern Alliance of Paranormal Investigators first investigated the property in May of 2009. EVP’s of ghostly voices were captured on audio as well as the sounds of a phantom string instrument and a whistle. Electronic Voice Phenomenon, or EVP’s, is recordings of audio that were not detected during the recording episode, and for which there are no rational explanations. In addition to the EVP’s, two different investigators felt a gentle touch. While the evidence obtained at the first investigation of Brumder Mansion does suggest the location may indeed be haunted, there has been nothing captured or experienced that would suggest that there is anything to fear at the Brumder. Instead it appears that any spirits residing at the mansion are friendly and playful in nature. Audio captured during the investigation may be heard at www.naparanormal.org. Those interested in visiting the Brumder Mansion should visit Brumder Mansion

Related post: See Part 1 of this story by clicking HERE

The ghosts of Brumder Mansion

This article is from the www.examiner.com


April 20, 10:55 PM by Cheri Esperon


When we were first contacted by the owners of Brumder Mansion, I started researching the location and found breath-taking photos of rooms that looked more like a museum than a bed and breakfast. My 7 year-old daughter, the junior ghost hunter, saw the photos and said "Oh Mommy! That place is too lovely to be haunted!" She couldn't have been more right, or more wrong. When we first entered the Brumder, it was like stepping through a time warp. We left the noisy Milwaukee streets behind and entered into a gentler, Victorian era. It was difficult to focus on the task at hand, my eyes kept wandering to the detailed woodworking and the antiques that filled each room. Somehow, the idea of bringing computers and electronic equipment into this building seemed almost sacrilege. A séance of Houdini proportions, complete with silk table cloths, candlelight, and a colorful medium with a crystal ball to entice the spirits to rap once for no, twice for yes, seemed much more appropriate than our technical investigation. But I had to put nostalgia aside and focus on what we were brought in to do- find the ghosts of the Brumder.


The mansion was built in the early 1900's by German publishing tycoon, George Brumder for his family. It was later sold to Samuel Picks, a reported Chicago mobster who hosted prohibition parties in the basement speak-easy. Considering his ties to the Chicago mob, many wonder if Capone himself did not use the mansion as a retreat. After that the mansion served many purposes, it was a boarding house, then owned by a local Lutheran church who used the grounds for youth groups, home for the pastor, and offices. It was later purchased by Carol Hirschi who spent countless hours restoring the mansion and searching for the perfect antiques to fill it.


Present owners Tom & Julie Carr invited Northern Alliance of Paranormal Investigators and experience the building. The mansion is warm and inviting. At every turn elegant woodworking delighted us and carefully chosen antiques filled every space. The space was filled with furniture, photos, dolls, and clothing, many elegant and most likely cherished by previous owners. Because nothing in the building's history suggested any reason for a haunting, we immediately wondered if the activity could be tied to the treasures within.


Claims of activity tend to be more friendly and playful. While unnerving because they are unexpected, they are not threatening. Most were harmless and included items being moved, sounds of footsteps, talking etc. One member of the cleaning crew has had the vacuum unplugged on several occasions, once right before his eyes. One closet, in the George room, does give Julie a sense of unease, but overall, it is a charming building.


The basement, home of Pick's speakeasy, the former Catacombs coffee house and future home to some exciting entertainment plans courtesy of Tom & Julie, does tend to give you the “heebie jeebies"- especially the tunnel areas that just scream out bootleg booze storage. An antique wheelchair sits at the end of one tunnel, and it was easy to imagine, that at any moment, it would roll silently towards us.


During the preliminary investigation, two EVPs were recorded. While Julie was relaying a tale of a missing belt that mysteriously reappeared, a voice loudly said, “It was us” and later a strange whistle was recorded. Several more EVPs were recorded during the actual investigation, including a whisper that sounded like, “Don’t leave, help me” and the sounds of a cello.


Julie assisted with the manning of the monitors, and several times throughout the evening, we felt an extreme chill. When we checked the temperature with a non-contact thermometer, we noticed something odd- the cold spot was between us & the monitors. Could some curious spirit have been joining us to watch the investigation? Also during the investigation, one investigator felt a gentle hand on his arm while he was sitting in a chair in the Blue Room.


The Brumder does appear to have paranormal activity. It is a perfect haunted get-away for those who enjoy elegance and are looking for a friendly encounter with the paranormal. Bring a camera, but don’t expect to sleep much, it is said the ghosts like to stay up late talking.


For more info: Visit Brumder Mansion or Naparanormal


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