SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

some events & speakers are subject to change

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

7:00 PM: Southern Gothic Ghost Stories
At the Best Western Premier Hotel

7:00 PM: Night Behind the Museum: Secret Stories of the American Oddities Museum
at the Mineral Springs Hotel | 301 East Broadway in Alton

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

LEWIS AND CLARK COLLEGE * 5800 Godfrey ROAD * Godfrey, Illinois

2:00 PM: Early Check-in at the Hatheway Cultural Center
2:00 PM: Doors open at the Vendor Room in the Hatheway Cultural Center
3:00 PM: Screening of A HAUNTING AT BLUE HILL in Main Auditorium

5:00 PM: Welcome to the 2024 Haunted America Conference with Troy Taylor

5:30 PM - 6:15 PM: Strange Stuff with Luke Naliborski and Len Adams

DINNER BREAK

7:15 PM - 8:30 PM: Presentation by the Three Appalachian Witches
Moon Magick, Mirror Magick, and the Witches Ladder

9:00 PM: Vendors Room Closed for the Night

AFTER HOURS EVENTS (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED)

9:30 PM - 11:00 PM: Workshop with April Slaughter (Mineral Springs - 301 E. Broadway)
9:30 PM - 11:00 PM: Black Mirror Scrying Workshop with Lisa Krick (Best Western Premier)

10:00 PM - 1:00 AM: Ghost Hunt at the McPike Mansion (2018 N. Alby Street)
10:00 PM - 2:00 AM: Ghost Hunt at the Mineral Springs Hotel (301 E. Broadway)
10:00 PM - 2:00 AM: Ghost Hunt at Franklin Lodge (1513 Washington Avenue)

saturday, june 22

LEWIS AND CLARK COLLEGE * 5800 Godfrey ROAD * Godfrey, Illinois

8:00 AM: Doors open for Vendor’s Room (Hatheway Cultural Center)
8:45 AM: Second Day Welcome Session with Troy Taylor

9:00 AM -10:00 AM: Presentation by Jim Willis
The Strange & Spooky World of James A. Willis

Audio, video, and photos from Weird Willis’ 25+ years investigating the paranormal in the Buckeye State—from ghosts and doppelgangers to multi-state UFO chases and even a half-man, half-frog creature.

Break
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM: Presentation by Courtney Block
Inside the Archives: Free Resources to Boost your Spooky Research

In this presentation, Courtney takes you on a journey through digital archives, highlighting some primary sources from some of the world's most well-known hauntings and figures. Best part? All the resources shown are free, and Courtney will also share how you can access and navigate them!

Break
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Presentation by Alex Matsuo
Beyond the Veil: Pioneering Women in Paranormal Research

This presentation highlights influential women whose groundbreaking work and dedication to psychical research pioneered paranormal investigation techniques that are still used today. It will profile notable figures like Catherine Crowe, who could very well be the first paranormal investigator, and Ada Goodrich Freer, a 19th-century psychical researcher who published studies of supernatural phenomena. Or Eleanor Sidgwick, who was a founding member of the Society for Psychical Research and examined hundreds of ghost sightings. Moving into the 20th century, the presentation will discuss Dr. Thelma Moss, a UCLA psychologist whose laboratory conducted experiments on subjects exhibiting ESP and psychokinesis abilities. By spotlighting these and other female pioneers in paranormal research, the presentation will illustrate the significant yet underrecognized contributions women have made to the methods and advancement of paranormal investigation throughout history.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch Break

1:30 PM: Annual Raffle Drawing (Must be Present to Win!)
Raffle will be held in the Main Auditorium

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Presentation by Troy Taylor
Death Under the Big Top

Troy presents a sneak preview of his next book, THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL, with the history and hauntings of one of the most tragic events in American history — the Hartford Circus Fire. It was a horrific event that claimed dozens of lives and nearly ended the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus. Discover the stories of terror and heroism from that terrible day and discover the hauntings that have lingered in its wake.

Break
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM: Presentation by Amanda R. Woomer
The Sexuality of Vampires:

Get to know the vampire intimately as we look at how their long and ancient history as hideous and terrifying monsters has transformed them into the sexiest horror icons today, thanks to 19th-century literature and 20th-century horror films. You’ll also get to know three historical figures who were not only accused of being vampires but slain as well and how their sexuality and gender may have let their friends and family desecrate their bodies in the name of fear.

Break
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Presentation by Chad Lewis
The Most Haunted Locations of the Midwest

This presentation takes the audience on a ghostly journey to some of the most haunted places in the Midwest. From wandering ghosts of the north woods and deadly spirits haunting the back roads, to phantom creatures prowling the woods and graveyard apparitions located in your own backyard. Complete with photos, case history, eyewitness accounts, ghost lore, and directions, this unique presentation encourages you to visit these places for your own haunted story.

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AFTER HOURS EVENTS (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED)

7:00 PM - 9:45 PM: Alton Hauntings Walking Tour (Departs from Mineral Springs 301 E. Broadway)
7:00 PM - 9:45 PM: Alton Hauntings Bus Tour (Departs from the Best Western Premier Hotel)

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Workshop with Sherri Brake (Best Western Premier Hotel)
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Workshop with Amanda R. Woomer (Best Western Premier Hotel)
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Workshop with Kari Bergen (Best Western Premier Hotel)

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Workshop with Matthew Jackson & April Slaughter (Mineral Springs 301 E. Broadway)
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Gallery Reading with the Three Appalachian Witches (Mineral Springs 301 E. Broadway)
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: The Estes Method with Lisa Krick (Mineral Springs 301 E. Broadway)

10:00 PM - 1:00 AM: Ghost Hunt at the McPike Mansion (2018 N. Alby Street)
10:00 PM - 2:00 AM: Ghost Hunt at the Mineral Springs Hotel (301 E. Broadway)
10:00 PM - 2:00 AM: Ghost Hunt at Franklin Lodge (1513 Washington Avenue)
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SUNDAY, JUNE 23

9:00 AM: Breakfast ‘TIL DEATH DO US PART with Troy Taylor
(Includes buffet breakfast and presentation)