Libraries
Paranormal Resources at WIU Archives and Special Collections.
The study of paranormal phenomena, while often relegated to the fringes of mainstream research, holds significant cultural and historical importance. Local folklore and paranormal narratives reflect the societal, historical, and psychological landscapes from which they emerge. By preserving these stories and investigations, the Archives provide valuable insights into the local culture and the human desire to understand the unknown.
Paranormal research can also intersect with other academic disciplines, such as sociology, anthropology, psychology, and history, offering multidisciplinary research opportunities. This collection serves as a repository not only for believers and enthusiasts but also for skeptics and scholars who aim to critically analyze the cultural impact of paranormal beliefs.
Why Archives Are Helpful
Archives are essential in the preservation of the collective memory of a community. With respect to paranormal research, archives offer:
Authenticity: Primary sources provide unaltered accounts and evidence from the time periods in question.
Provenance: Materials are collected and organized with respect to their origin, ensuring a clear lineage of documentation.
Context: Archival collections offer context for the phenomena reported, including environmental, historical, and social factors that may influence experiences or reports of paranormal activity.
Research Opportunities: Scholars, enthusiasts, and the curious have the chance to engage with a variety of materials that could spark new interpretations or discoveries.
Preservation of Local Lore: Paranormal stories and experiences are often passed down through oral traditions. Archives ensure that these tales are preserved for future generations, maintaining the local heritage and identity.
Access and Use
Researchers are welcome to visit the Western Illinois University Archives and Special Collections to access the paranormal resources collection. Assistance from archival staff is available for locating specific materials. Digital access may be available for select items; please inquire with the archivists for further information.
To ensure the preservation of these materials, handling guidelines must be followed, and certain items may require supervised access. Reproduction of materials may be subject to restrictions.
Books
Ghosts of the Illinois canal system , Youngquist, David. c2008.
Windy City ghosts 2 : [more of the history & hauntings of Chicago] , Kaczmarek, Dale., c2001
Haunted Peoria , McCarthy, Stephanie E., c2009
Ghost stories of Illinois , Christensen, Jo-Anne., 2000
Windy City ghosts , Kaczmarek, Dale., c2000
Ghosts of Rock Island County, Illinois , Carlson, Bruce., ©1987
Chicago haunts : ghostlore of the Windy City , Bielski, Ursula., 1998
Field guide to Illinois hauntings , Graczyk, Jim.; Boonstra, Donna., 2002, ©2001
Ghosthunting Illinois . Kachuba, John B., ©2005
Haunting the prairie : a tourist's guide to the weird and wild places of Illinoi s, Kleen, Michael., c2010
Haunted Macomb , Moffett, Garret., 2010
Haunted Chicago : history & hauntings of the Windy City , Taylor, Troy., ©2002
Bloody Illinois : history & hauntings of Illinois crime & mystery , Taylor, Troy., ©2008
Ghosts of Springfield , Taylor, Troy., ©1997
Weird Illinois : your travel guide to Illinois' local legends and best kept secrets , Taylor, Troy, author.; Moran, Mark, 1961- editor.; Sceurman, Mark, editor., ©2005
Ghosts of Little Egypt : ghosts and hauntings of Southern Illinois , Taylor, Troy., ©1998
Haunted Illinois : history & hauntings from Little Egypt to the windy city , Taylor, Troy., ©2001
West Central Illinois Bigfoot Project
The WIU Archives have a collection of oral interviews done with local Bigfoot sighting witnesses. There are transcripts for these as well. We also have clippings from local newspapers and sighting reports printed from BFRO.net for our local region. Here is a video titled Illinois Bigfoot and a transcript .
LibGuides
There are several WIU LibGuides which deal with the paranormal and mythology.
• ANTH 215 (Fantastic Archaeology: Ancient Astronauts, Shape Shifters and Bigfoot!): Ancient Astronauts • Mythology
Online
TOP 10 MOST HAUNTED PLACES IN ILLINOIS
THE 16 MOST HAUNTED PLACES IN ILLINOIS
Video - Werewolf or Dogman Encounter, Argyle Lake State Park in Illinois, 1985
Transcript - Werewolf or Dogman Encounter, Argyle Lake State Park in Illinois, 1985
Video - Resurrection Mary: Ghost of Chicago
Transcript - Resurrection Mary: Ghost of Chicago
From the Cryptid Report Podcast: Dr. Michael Lorenzen is a full-time academic AND interested in the question of Bigfoot. Currently, he is collecting verbal accounts of Bigfoot sightings in Illinois.
The Archivist: Conversations with Dr. Lorenzen
Dr. Michael Lorenzen joined us from Western Illinois University to discuss his research into the bigfoot phenomenon in Western Illinois. Dr. Lorenzen emphasizes the importance of primary sources in his research and is dedicated to documenting them. He shares his research philosophy with us, insights into good research practices and several historical accounts from Western Illinois. Podcast episode from the Riverlands.
Richard joins us to share his first hand accounts of high strangeness in Western Illinois. He shares stories about the Argyle Monster, Sasquatch and something….even stranger. Podcast from the Riverlands.
If Bigfoot does exists, what is the likelihood that it might be in our own backyard? We welcome WIU's Dr. Michael Lorenzen, professor and head of WIU archives. We talk about Bigfoot sightings in the area and discuss the likelihood of a Bigfoot in our area based on popular understanding and theories of where they may be. Find out how Quincy, Illinois and Adams county stacks up as Bigfoot country.
Reports for Illinois - Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization
BFRO reports of sightings by county in Illinois.
Connect Paranormal - This has some Illinois content.
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