Rolling Hills Asylum
Encyclopedia
The Rolling Hills Asylum is a research center for the paranormal
in East Bethany, New York. It has a differing points in time been a mall
, and a museum
. It opened its doors in 1827 in response to a New York
state legislation requiring all counties to assume duties of taking care of individuals unable to care for themselves.
By the early 1950s, the facility served only as a nursing home, where it was then closed by 1972; stepping aside for a new facility in Batavia, NY.
After which, the building stood empty until 1992, when it was re-opened as Carriage Village, a mall of unique shops. Since then it has transformed into a paranormal investigation hot spot and has been operating public and private ghost hunting tours, paranormal investigations, historical tours and even special events.
, and was, at one time, home to the Rolling Hills Paranormal Research Society. Lori Carlson used to own Rolling Hills. It has been the subject of a number of events sponsoring it that have been run by The Atlantic Paranormal Society
. The property was purchased by a couple interested in the paranormal in late 2009 (Sharon and Jerry Coyle) and has since reopened for ghost/historical tours and special events for the entire community such as art fairs, festivals and car shows. It was also featured on Ghost Adventures
on September 24, 2010. There have been sightings of a 7-foot-tall man named Roy who has been captured in many photographs.
Paranormal
Paranormal is a general term that designates experiences that lie outside "the range of normal experience or scientific explanation" or that indicates phenomena understood to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure...
in East Bethany, New York. It has a differing points in time been a mall
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
, and a museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
. It opened its doors in 1827 in response to a New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
state legislation requiring all counties to assume duties of taking care of individuals unable to care for themselves.
History
Originally, a carriage house and tavern servicing stage coaches stood there from 1790 until December 1826, when it was sold to Genesee County. The carriage house still stands on the property today. The tavern serviced travelers from Batavia, NY to Warsaw, NY traveling along what is now known as US Route 20. At that point, the facility took in paupers, unwed mothers, the insane, and orphans.By the early 1950s, the facility served only as a nursing home, where it was then closed by 1972; stepping aside for a new facility in Batavia, NY.
After which, the building stood empty until 1992, when it was re-opened as Carriage Village, a mall of unique shops. Since then it has transformed into a paranormal investigation hot spot and has been operating public and private ghost hunting tours, paranormal investigations, historical tours and even special events.
Current use
The building served as a research center into the paranormal, and hosts ghost huntsGhost hunting
Ghost Hunting is the process of investigating locations that are reported to be haunted by ghosts.Typically, a ghost hunting team will attempt to collect evidence claimed to be supportive of paranormal activity...
, and was, at one time, home to the Rolling Hills Paranormal Research Society. Lori Carlson used to own Rolling Hills. It has been the subject of a number of events sponsoring it that have been run by The Atlantic Paranormal Society
The Atlantic Paranormal Society
The Atlantic Paranormal Society is an organization that investigates reported paranormal activity. Based in Warwick, Rhode Island, United States, TAPS was founded in 1990 by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson. In 2004, the organization itself became the subject of Ghost Hunters, a popular weekly...
. The property was purchased by a couple interested in the paranormal in late 2009 (Sharon and Jerry Coyle) and has since reopened for ghost/historical tours and special events for the entire community such as art fairs, festivals and car shows. It was also featured on Ghost Adventures
Ghost Adventures
Ghost Adventures is a weekly American paranormal television series that premiered on October 17, 2008 on the Travel Channel. Currently produced by MY-Tupelo Entertainment , the program follows and stars ghost hunters Zak Bagans, Nick Groff, and Aaron Goodwin, as they investigate locations that are...
on September 24, 2010. There have been sightings of a 7-foot-tall man named Roy who has been captured in many photographs.