JANESVILLE — Two new programs will be held in October at the Rock County Historical Society (RCHS). One will focus on evidence of paranormal events in schools, and the second is a gripping presentation about the true, chilling history of witchcraft. 

School “Spirit:” An Exploration of Haunted Schools, Libraries and Colleges, presented by the Society for Anomalous Studies (SAS) highlights paranormal findings from investigations of schools and other educational locations. The program will be held on two dates: Oct. 9 and Oct. 23, from 7-9 p.m. at the Tallman Carriage House, 450 N. Jackson Street, Janesville.

Attendees will see and hear the evidence captured in old colleges, Carnegie libraries, one-room schoolhouses and abandoned high schools. Evidence from schools in Rock County and other locations in the country will be revealed. The Society for Anomalous Studies is a cooperative of experienced paranormal investigators who have spent nearly 15 years exploring the mysteries of the paranormal and unexplained. For the past 9 years, the group has almost exclusively been investigating historical locations.

Another fascinating program at RCHS in October is A Bewitching Tale, which delves into the true stories from 1692 in Salem, Mass., and the prosecution and execution of those who allegedly practiced witchcraft. The program will be offered from 12-1 p.m. on Oct. 18, and again from 6-7 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Tallman Carriage House, 450 N. Jackson Street, Janesville.

In this program, presenter Tom Skinner, a direct descendent of Rebecca Nurse, who was executed after being convicted of witchcraft, uncovers the grim truths of this chilling period with a focus on the causes, accusers, victims, and how it all finally came to an end.

Skinner is passionate about historic preservation and lives in an 1844 Greek Revival home in Janesville that he and his wife, Susan, lovingly restore.

Tickets for both programs are available online at www.rchs.us/events/ or by calling RCHS at 608-756-4509. Each program is $10 for RCHS members and $20 for nonmembers. 

All ticket proceeds for these events raise funds for the preservation of the historic buildings on the RCHS campus.