BY MICHELLE MILLER
Staff Writer

Legend has it that sounds of ghostly children have been heard running up and down the third floor hallway of the Otesaga Resort Hotel.

This is just one story that has been told about the historic landmark. According to Cooperstown Candlelight Ghost Tour guide Bruce Markusen, the Otesaga has a long history of hauntings.

Markusen says there has been paranormal activity on the ground floor, first floor, third floor and fifth floor of the hotel. Some people believe the phenomenon is connected to the history of the hotel, says Markusen.

From 1920 until 1954, the hotel was also a private girl’s school known as the Knox School for Girls.

According to a former cocktail waitress, she would sometimes hear a low monotone voice slowly calling her name while working in the Glimmerglass Room. She said other staff would hear their names called as well. A security officer says he can hear people walking above him on the second and third floors. He says he also hears a music box between the second and third floors.

Ghostly sightings have also taken place at the Farmers’ Museum, where several tales are told during the ``Things that go Bump in the Night’’ guided, lantern- lit tours held in October.

This January, ghost hunters from the Syfy Channel will be visiting Cooperstown to conduct nighttime paranormal investigations at the Otesaga and Farmers’ Museum. Lead ghost hunters Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson will bring 11 researchers for two nights of exploration.

According to Jim Johnson, of Fly Creek, who is helping organize the event, 250 tickets for a three-day seminar (January 8- 10) will be sold to the public.

He says participants will be divided into two groups, with both getting the opportunity to investigate both facilities. Participants will have the chance to be trained how to use the equipment, learn what to look for and how to become investigators, says Johnson.

Johnson says he believes Cooperstown has a number of interesting places worth investigating and because he is close friends with Hawes and Wilson, thought the Syfy show would provide a good opportunity for an off-season tourist event. This area has a lot of history, so why not use it to attract tourists, says Johnson.

According to Johnson, the Syfy reality series is going into its sixth season. It is the highest rated reality television show with three other spin-off series (``Ghost Hunters International,’’ ``UFO Hunters’’ and ``Ghost Hunters Academy’’), says Johnson.

Johnson says the show put the Stanley Hotel, located in Colorado, on the map so to speak. The 138- room hotel was the inspiration for famous author Stephen King’s ``The Shining.’’

``Ghost Hunters,’’ a onehour weekly reality show from the creator/executive producer of ``American Chopper’’ regularly draws almost three million viewers, more than half in the advertiser-friendly 18-to- 49-year-old demographic, according to Nielsen ratings.

The village has plenty of ghost stories, says Markusen, who has been providing ghost tours in the village since 2004. Markusen says in honor of the ghost hunter’s visit, he will continue to offer tours by appointment during the winter season, from November until March.

According to Markusen, between the two different tour routes he takes people on, there are 12 haunted locations to visit. Locations include the Christ Church graveyard, the house known as Greencrest, Pomeroy Place and Lake Otsego. The regular tour schedule runs from April through October.

Markusen says the idea of giving ghost tours in Cooperstown popped into his head while he, his wife and his parents took a ghost tour in one of the most haunted cities in America, Gettysburg, Pa.

``Of course, I had no idea if Cooperstown had any ghostly history,’’ said Markusen. ``

A few months later, Markusen said he went to the library at New York State Historical Association (NYSHA) and did some research and found Cooperstown has lots of ghost stories to offer.

Registration for the three- day seminar will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8.

For more information about purchasing tickets or learning more about the investigations and seminar visit ghostofcooperstown. com. To schedule a Cooperstown Candlelight Ghost Tour call 547-8070 or email bmarkusen@stny. rr.com.