Paranormal Sleepover to Take Place at Paxton Manor

It’s not often that you hear about people looking forward to Friday the 13th, a date considered to be bad luck in Western superstition. However, this Friday is the last “unlucky” day of 2012 and to celebrate, a sleepover is scheduled to take place at the Paxton Manor in Leesburg.

“Everybody knows Friday the 13th is notoriously an unlucky day and paranormal investigators say that it’s typically, along with a full moon, one of the most active paranormal times,” said Executive Director Jennifer Lassiter. “This is kind of a new concept for a fundraiser, allowing ghost hunters to monitor the paranormal activity in Paxton Manor on Friday the 13th. The last one was in April and we will not have another one again in the next 12 months so this is kind of people’s last chance for a while.”

Built in 1877 by wealthy industrialists Charles and Rachel Paxton, the manor is a 20,000 square-foot mansion, which has been abandoned for a number of years. According to stories, Charles Paxton had died at an early age, leaving his wife to manage the home, along with their only child, Margaret.

Mrs. Paxton endured additional loss when her only grandson died at age five. Soon after, his mother died causing Mrs. Paxton to outlive the entire family until she died in 1962.

Over the years, a number of strange occurrences have been reported at the home. It has also been turned into for the past three years.

“We’ve gotten repeated requests to allow paranormal investigators to come in on Friday the 13th,” Lassiter said. “We always have different people who want to try their luck so this time we’re kind of combining the two things.”

Berryville Investigator Stacey Graham will be on hand to instruct each guest on how to monitor the paranormal without having to use specialized equipment. Anyone is invited to attend, Lassiter said, but the group will remain small.

The event will kick off at 8 p.m. Friday prior to an actual paranormal investigation. Friday the 13th films will be played and there will be the opportunity to roam and sleep in the house until the next day.

The cost is $50 per person and all proceeds will benefit , a preschool which serves kids with and without disabilities. For more information call 703-444-4695.