Natchez, the oldest European American settlement on the Mississippi River, was founded by the French in 1716. However, even before the arrival of the Europeans, there was a rich and vibrant Native American culture that existed in the area. This culture gave Natchez as rich a history as any place in the United States, but there are some who feel that Natchez’s past also created an area that has abundant paranormal activity.

Historic Jefferson College in Washington is one of the places where strange things have occurred.

The college is planning to host a paranormal investigation of the site at an event called Ghost Hunting at HJC on the night of Friday, Oct. 30.

Any paranormal investigators with equipment who wish to participate should contact me by e-mailing hcburkett@mdah.state.ms.us or calling 601-442-2901 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The college closed as an educational institution in 1964, but was the oldest school in the state up until that time.

Today, it is a state-owned historic site, operated by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. It has buildings that were built from 1819 to 1937, and has a small cemetery. Paranormal activity has been reported throughout the buildings and campus.

Many strange things have been reported by the staff and visitors.

Several visitors have come to the museum to report what looks like a young boy of about 9, who peers down from the second floor of one of the old buildings.

Upon inspection there would be no one on that floor. A security guard once reported seeing a lady dressed in black 19th century garb walk down the campus and just disappear, as if she melted into thin air.

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence is a picture taken by Sissy Dickey. In it is a man who is standing and looking out a window in one of the old back buildings.

Standing by him is what looks like a young boy.

However, the man is reported to have been in the room alone.

The fire alarms in the old buildings also go off for no apparent reason, and when the alarms are checked they are in perfect order, which, according to many investigators, is a definite a sign of paranormal activity.

It is hoped that this will be the first of many paranormal investigations; however, we do plan to limit the number of investigators to 10 people, so we can see how this type of activity works out and if it is feasible for future investigations.

H. Clark Burkett is a historian at Historic Jefferson College.