Posted in West Virginia August 25, 2018 by Geoff Foster

West Virginia’s National Museum Of The Paranormal Is Not For The Faint Of Heart

West Virginia has a paranormal history as extensive as its mundane history, many events of which tie the two together. You can learn all about it with a trip to this Moundsville museum filled with artifacts that tell the state’s paranormal past with chilling realism.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/

At this unassuming building in Moundsville lies some of the creepiest and most paranormal objects in the state. This is the Archive of the Afterlife, a one-of-a-kind paranormal museum.

Inside this museum, you will find objects that are either tied in with the paranormal or are actually haunted, as many people claim.

Few museums are like this one, with dark and creepy displays that challenge your sense of the normal world, versus the world hiding behind the veil of mundanity where the paranormal lies.

Many of the objects, such as this doll named Jenny, are said to be cursed, haunted or even possessed. Many of them came to the museum because the previous owners no longer wanted them in their homes for various reasons.

One such item is this Dr. Seuss book, which was acquired by someone who reported hearing children's voices and the intense feeling of being watched and followed. The activity did not begin until the book was brought into this person's house.

Other objects have similar stories, though the origin of some is not clear. What is clear is that these objects carry immense energy inside them that causes bizarre and frightening occurrences for the people who own them.

Some objects, such as this Ouija board, tend to create negative effects when used. It is often inadvisable to attempt contact with ghosts through an Ouija board, even if you know them to be friendly because it also opens the door to more malevolent spirits.

Here is another spooky item. This bible and cross were discovered in an abandoned building in Cabell County that used to be the Morris Memorial School for Crippled Children. It was opened to pages 666 and 667. The person who discovered it took it home and set it on his mantle.

Another charged item is this executioner's cap that is believed to be the long lost cap from "Old Sparky," the nickname for the electric chair at the former West Virginia State Penitentiary, considered one of the most haunted places in the state. If true, nine men died with this cap on their heads. Like the museum, the penitentiary is also located in Moundsville.

The museum is also home to some unhaunted, but no less unique artifacts, such as these authentic life masks of several famous people. The mask on the bottom left is an actual face mold of President Abraham Lincoln.

To learn more about this paranormal museum, check out their website here, and their Facebook page here. Have you been to Archive of the Afterlife? Feel free to comment below and tell us about your visit.

Is this kind of place right up your alley? Then check out this hidden place that few people know houses some creepy mummies.