The Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park has been home to many different entities since the 19th century, including boarding school students, convalescents, indigents, a family and possibly ghosts. Paranormal researchers and a medium were at the site Halloween night to do some spirit hunting. And, they were definitely not alone.

As part of Survive the Night, an inaugural event aimed at entertaining All Hallows' Eve crowds and driving traffic to the historic landmark, the Heritage Project of the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks hosted activities, which took place from 8 p.m. until the witching hour. The program included a scientific paranormal research team seeking evidence of a haunting with cameras and other equipment, a medium that led tour groups around while explaining the history and spiritual status of the property, children's activities conducted by River Hill High School students (who also did double duty as frightening ghouls who scared unwitting patrons) and laser tag.

"It's different," said Al Mendez of Catonsville. "Normally, we just go to the mall and trick-or-treat."

For a $10 entrance fee, visitors could play laser tag, run by Tag Party, on the first floor of the stabilized ruins; talk to scientific paranormal researchers from DCMAG, an organization that investigates paranormal activity in the DC metro region; and learn about the history of the institute and run into ghosts with Beverly Litsinger, a medium and president of the Maryland Ghosts and Spirit Association, while tracking spirits with EMF (electromagnetic frequency) detectors. They could also make slime out of glue; play musical chairs to the "Monster Mash," "Thriller," and "Ghostbusters"; or toss a frisbee into the mouth of a two-dimensional "monster."

"It gives us energy to try something new," Heritage Project coordinator Susana Burrell said. "We would like it to be a new tradition."

-- Jennifer Choi

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