Ashmore Estates will be hosting an event this weekend along with the Paranormal Task Force for visitors to try and experience the paranormal.  

The sold-out event will be held Saturday.

The estate has independent events throughout the year, but also often rents the building out to ghost investigation teams as well.  

Robbin Terry, the current owner of Ashmore Estates, bought the building in 2014, when it was in bad shape.  

“I thought the building could be saved and once again used,” Terry said. “There was something about walking through that building and getting the feeling that the residents of that building were happy there, but they needed someone to save their building.” 

Terry equipped the building with electricity, running water, new windows and a new roof.  

Since then, Ashmore Estates has gained fame as multiple paranormal investigation TV shows, including “Ghost Adventures” and “Ghost Hunters,” featured the building.  

Terry said that the chances of witnessing a paranormal event have a lot to do with the visitors’ attitudes.  

“I always tell people, ‘We can’t make them tap dance,’” Terry said. “Sometimes you see or hear things without even trying.” 

Professional paranormal investigators who visit Ashmore Estates often bring equipment to pick up video, photo or audio evidence of ghosts. This might include thermal cameras, night vision cameras, or high-tech audio recorders.  

Terry recommends that newbies and more casual investigators just bring a flashlight and something to record audio on, because investigators have had more luck finding audio evidence at the estates. He also said that overnight investigators should bring snacks and water. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashmore Estates was limited to private investigations and most events had to be canceled.  

They also required masks and performed extra sanitization in high-traffic areas. 

In April of 2020, nine people broke into the building, causing around $5,000 of damage during the 20 minutes they were in the building, according to Terry.  

“They could have easily rented the building for the entire night for $500 and never had to worry about being arrested and prosecuted which is what is happening now,” Terry said.  

Ashmore Estates has both an alarm system and cameras, which allowed Coles County deputies to identify the people who broke in.  

For those who want to enter the building legally, Ashmore Estates offers investigations on Fridays and Saturdays for $50 per person, overnight group investigations for $500, and both private and public tours for around $15 per person.  

Overnight investigators can have access to bunk houses which include beds, heating, air conditioning and TVs.  

Ashmore Estates also hosts special events like Kids’ Day, where kids and their parents can learn about the paranormal and how to investigate safely.  

All of the funds from that event, as well as further monetary donations, go to the Lost Limbs Foundation, and organization which Terry said is important to him.  

The Lost Limbs Foundation is intended to help the families of child amputees with medical expenses that may not be covered by insurance. The foundation often partners with paranormal investigators for charity events.  

Professional paranormal investigators who visit Ashmore Estates often bring equipment to pick up video, photo or audio evidence of ghosts.

This might include thermal cameras, night vision cameras, or high-tech audio recorders. 

Terry recommends that newbies and more casual investigators just bring a flashlight and something to record audio on, because investigators have had more luck finding audio evidence at the estates.

He also said that overnight investigators should bring snacks and water.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashmore Estates was limited to private investigations and most events had to be canceled. 

They also required masks and performed extra sanitization in high-traffic areas.

In April of 2020, nine people broke into the building, causing around $5,000 of damage during the 20 minutes they were in the building, according to Terry. 

“They could have easily rented the building for the entire night for $500 and never had to worry about being arrested and prosecuted which is what is happening now,” Terry said. 

Ashmore Estates has both an alarm system and cameras, which allowed Coles County deputies to identify the people who broke in. 

For those who want to enter the building legally, Ashmore Estates offers investigations on Fridays and Saturdays for $50 per person, overnight group investigations for $500, and both private and public tours for around $15 per person. 

Overnight investigators can have access to bunk houses which include beds, heating, air conditioning and TVs. 

Ashmore Estates also hosts special events like Kids’ Day, where kids and their parents can learn about the paranormal and how to investigate safely. 

All of the funds from that event, as well as further monetary donations, go to the Lost Limbs Foundation, and organization which Terry said is important to him. 

The Lost Limbs Foundation is intended to help the families of child amputees with medical expenses that may not be covered by insurance.

The foundation often partners with paranormal investigators for charity events. 

Luke Taylor and Ian Stobaugh can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].