Summary
In September 2026, paranormal investigators Jason Hawes and Jim investigated the historic Phelps Mansion in Binghamton, New York, a building long associated with reports of apparitions, voices and unexplained footsteps. During the nighttime investigation, they repeatedly heard movement and voices in apparently empty areas of the mansion and both witnessed a shadow-like form passing across a lit section of the upper floor. Attempts to recreate the shadow produced similar effects under certain conditions, but did not conclusively establish what they had originally seen. Other suspicious activity was successfully explained, leaving the night's most unusual experiences open to interpretation.
Additional Notes
The Phelps Mansion has long been associated with reports of unusual activity. At the beginning of the 2026 investigation, Hawes describes claims including full-body apparitions, male voices, footsteps and figures in period clothing, while Sherman D. Phelps himself is said to remain in the house. Almost immediately, the investigators begin noticing sounds resembling movement in the hallway and upper floor, although Hawes also considers the nearby parking lot as a possible source for some voices and noises. As the investigation continues, both men repeatedly report footsteps and other movement from upstairs. Hawes also sees something apparently pass across a narrow area of light at the top of the staircase, corresponding with previous reports of moving shadows in that part of the mansion. Later, both investigators simultaneously see a shadow cross another illuminated area. They attempt to reproduce the effect by walking through the adjoining hallway and testing different positions and infrared lighting, establishing how a person could create a similar shadow but leaving uncertainty over the circumstances of their original observation. Other incidents included voices that appeared to come from inside the mansion and a loud sound resembling a closing door. After hearing voices, the investigators checked outside and found an empty parking lot, although one person was visible farther away across the street. During another part of the investigation, a REM-Pod was placed on the staircase in an attempt to detect nearby movement or interaction. Not every apparent anomaly remained mysterious. When a light unexpectedly illuminated a window while one investigator was outside, the pair examined the fixture and discovered that it was controlled by a timer. At the end of the investigation, Hawes summarized the night's principal experiences as numerous footsteps, several voices and what the investigators believed may have been a shadow, while noting that they hoped their cameras had captured supporting evidence. No paranormal explanation was established, leaving the remaining observations unresolved and open to interpretation. This is a recently reported case. Information remains preliminary and may change as further evidence or investigation becomes available.
The Location Today
The Phelps Mansion survives at 191 Court Street in downtown Binghamton and operates as a historic house museum. Visitors can tour the restored nineteenth-century interior, while haunted-history tours and scheduled public paranormal investigations are also offered at the property.
- Environment
- Urban Area, Building / Residence, Museum
- Time of Day
- Night
- Evidence Level
- Investigated Case
- Visiting the Location
- Ticketed, Guided
- Ownership of the Location
- Private