An Interview with Ghosthunter Adam Nori

Adam Nori has made it his life’s journey to seek out and look into claims of ghosts and hauntings throughout the state of Minnesota.

Since 2001, Adam has run his own group of investigators called The Minnesota Paranormal Study Group (MNPSG). This organization investigates stories of haunted activity for no charge and then documents their findings for public knowledge at MinnesotaGhosts.com. Adam also serves as a staff member within the TAPS Family organization, a global network of credible investigators brought together by The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS).

How did you get interested in this unique line of work?
Adam Nori: I originally got interested in the field of hauntings and ghosts when I lost a loved one close to me at the age of 10. He passed away suddenly and we never had the chance to say goodbye. Later on in my teen years, I heard stories of people saying goodbye to deceased loved ones in certain circumstances and always wondered if that was possible. That, of course, was just the beginning of this strange journey.

What is the purpose of the MN Paranormal Study Group? What do you actually do?
AN: Our goal is to document claims of haunted locations around the state of Minnesota. The MNPSG works with both commercial and residential clients to attempt to prove or explain the claims within the allegedly haunted property. We use various equipment to provide an objective perspective of our findings. After we wrap up the investigation and the clients know what we found, we then publish our reports for the general public on our website, MinnesotaGhosts.com.

What is your favorite ghost story? (I am sure you have plenty!)
AN: That’s a tough question in all honesty. Historically? The Palmer House Hotel in Sauk Centre is a true Minnesota gem. It was the first hotel outside Minneapolis that had electricity and the owners had to replace the wiring after a few months due to people just booking a room to turn on the lights. The pure amount of history within that inn is astounding and it is said to have the ghost of famous author Sinclair Lewis still roaming around.

My favorite experience would have been at the Greyhound Bus Origin Museum in Hibbing. We were packing up after a long night and were in the parking lot loading cars. When I looked into the dimly lit lobby, I saw a small shadow figure, about three feet tall, walk from left to right. A few minutes later, I had a team member tell me that he saw the same thing move from right to left in the lobby. I guess the ghosts were just making sure that we were leaving!

Are there any famous hauntings locally in the Twin Cities area?
AN: There are a few that I have heard about within the Twin Cities area, but have yet to investigate. The Noose Bar in St. Paul is said to have some strange stories (which are documented on our site) as well as one of the top floors of the Minneapolis City Hall.

I think that many people are scared of ghosts because they hear stories of things flying around. Are most ghosts something to be scared of, or are most of them rather gentle?
AN: They usually are just gentle, but much like people, they want to be noticed. This is why noises and activity come into play. There is also a theory that ghosts are more prone to nightly activities because it is easier for them to be noticed, as people are less likely to notice during the daytime.

Why do you think ghosts hang around?
AN: We use the term that “ghosts were people too,” and when you apply that to them, you have to ask why people stick around certain areas. Maybe it’s financial (they are worried about their money), family orientated (sticking around to comfort a loved one), or they want to wait for a loved one to be with them.

I have heard a few reasons in my time ghost hunting and it’s usually either love, money, or fear of moving on.

Do you think ghosts stop being ghosts at some point and move on?
AN: Yes, I have been in a few situations where a ghost has moved on during our time within the home. It’s an odd event, as we have registered a drop in barometric pressure and temperature in the environment. Most haunted locales have a stuffy feeling to them, but when this particular ghost moved on, it was like someone had opened all the windows.

I know that some people see dead people on a regular basis. Have you ever been able to identify what makes someone able to see ghosts and others can’t?
AN: I think it all has to do with their perspective on life. Many psychics were once children whose parents never said, “No, you can’t.” We live in a society where we are constantly being told how to feel, act and think “normally.” Some have this social barrier instilled in them, while others do not.

Are children more inclined to see ghosts than adults?
AN: It depends on the upbringing, I think. Once again, going back to the perspective theory, children are most likely without the normal social barriers, but every circumstance is different.

It seems that part of the goal of your work is to explain scientifically that these scenarios are real and do exist. Have you had success in convincing people of the validity of ghost stories?
AN: I think it is important to realize that our job is not to make people believers but rather be a neutral third party who wants to try to document these claims. We bring forth our expertise of possible normal explanations, and when we are left scratching our heads, we ask the clients and public what they think of it.

Copyright © 2010 Amy Putkonen. All Rights Reserved.