Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Burkart.
Hi Michael, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2004 I was in St Joseph on a business trip, and was so captivated by the plethora of amazing Victorian era homes, civic buildings, and churches. Mind you, I had no personal connection to St Joseph, but since I had a few free hours the following morning, before my flight back to Florida, I asked the auctioneer Greg Boos, (where I “popped in” Wathena, while driving back from the Sparks flea market), if he knew of any realtors to show me a few properties, Just for future reference, I stated. He said, “my wife Debbie’s a realtor”. So, just like that, the following morning Debbie Boos and Lisa Rock took me to properties. The first was a beautiful victorian home, completely restored with a price to match. Very nice, but I’d rather do the restoration to my taste. The 2nd was a Victorian, that had seen 100+ years of deterioration and vandals, but was only $17K. Tempting, but not in such a good area. Lastly, Lisa said, “I don’t know how you feel about commercial property, but I have something you might find intriguing”. With that, they took me up the hill on Main St to a huge limestone wall that wrapped around the entire block with a glimpse of 2 large buildings with overgrown trees and bushes. Around back we found a parking lot of what had been “The Memorial Home for the Aged”. As I walked inside, marveling was at the 12 ft ceilings, I began to explore the 18,000 s.f.
Built as the home of prominent banker and 5-term St Joe mayor, Armstrong and his wife Eliza’s in 1854. After they both passed in 1878, and 1880, respectively, LUBA, The Ladies Union Benevolence Association aquired the 20 room mansion to be used as a home for the many destitute women and children that found themselves homeless. They named it “A Home for the Friendless”. In the first month 13 women with 5 small children moved in. Quickly, the 20 large bedrooms were filled, and in 1896, the west wing was added with 14 more bedrooms. Over time, a larger, more modern facility was needed, so Noyes Home was built and A Home for the Friendless, became The Memorial Home For The Aged, which it remained for nearly one hundred years.
As I walked the hallways, back in 2004, I felt a big embrace, unlike any place I had ever been before. Like I was “meant to be there”, I felt.. Maybe it could be turned into a B & B, I surmised. The next day, I made an offer, which was quickly accepted. Now what?
I called my best friend, Kelly Matthews, who I had become a Big Brother (VIP Pal) to, back in 1976, while a sophomore at the the U of I. Not only had we stayed in touch, but he was family to me. He called his brother Tommy, and before long I had assembled a team of 8, to tackle this monstrous project of cleaning and restoring this building to some semblance of its former glory.
No small task, as the years had not been kind, and the previous owner had a bit of a “hording issue”. Many rooms chest-deep in clothes, crafts, baske5s, candles, dishes, food, and underneath it all……. rodents. During the next 6 months, we each noticed strange activities, especially late at night, when we’d hear someone whistling, or a ladies voice calling out. Or a glimpse of someone walking past the hallway ahead, or a little girl peaking around the corner. Nothing too frightening, but certainly unnerving, so much so that 1 by 1, each of the team left. In 2018, while I was back in Florida, my friend Rob Long, who had his own interactions with the paranormal, asked if I would mind if he invited a ghost hunting group, with all the latest tools, to come in and do a paranormal investigation to see if all this strange activity could be properly documented.
I said okay, but as I’m considering possibly selling it, let’s not call it “The Beattie Mansion”, but instead we’ll refer to it as “The House on the Hill”.
The next day, eager to hear what they found, the head of the ghost hunting group said, “it’s insanely haunted”.
It turns out, owning a place where 100’s and 100’s of people have died over the course of 171 years has some residual effects, with spirits who for some inexplicable reason, have stayed behind.
Today, the Beattie Mansion is open to groups, or even brave individuals, who would like a to do their own overnite ghost hunt. A couple of TV shows; Paranormal Lockdown and My Horror Story have documented their experiences at the Beattie Mansion as well as many groups that have posted their experiences on YouTube.
This Halloween from Friday October 31st – November 2nd our house manager and medium Mary Ann Podrasky will be joined by ghost hunters Short Bus Paranormal for 2 nights. A few VIP 2 night tickets are still available, which includes dinner Saturday night for $200. Individual tickets range from the $20 tour Saturday afternoon at 2pm to $60 standard or $125 Vip ghost hunt, meet and greet, and dinner Saturday night.
Purchase tickets via Venmo:
@theBeattieMansion
Contact
[email protected] or
Michael at 941-228-7744
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Workers too afraid of the paranormal, or as one worker said, “that place gives me the creeps”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Working for over 35 years as a process engineer, delving into the Paranormal Communitywas the furthest thing from my work experience, and something I quite honestly, never expected.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Our creative director, Danielle Brewka has been the driving force behind all of our posters and tshirt designs.
Pricing:
- $20 November 1st tour 2pm and 3pm
- $60 Halloween and Nov. 1st Ghost Hunt 7pm -2am
- $100 VIP – Oct 31st All Hallows Eve on the Hill 5pm -10am
- $125 VIP Nov. 1st All Hallows Eve on the Hill incl Dinner 5pm -10a.m.
- $200 2-night VIP Oct 31-Nov 2nd All Hallows Eve on the Hill 5pm -10am
Contact Info:
- Website: https://TheBeattieMansion.com
- Facebook: The Beattie Mansion
- Youtube: The Beattie Mansion or The House on the Hill
- Other: [email protected]
