Host Don Wildman examines a brassiere that gave schemers an unexpected boost, a plane that soared to safety, and a religious icon allegedly scorched by the forces of evil.
Located at the Stratford Point Lighthouse, the John Zaffis Museum of the Paranormal hosts numerous artifacts removed from homes following unexplained phenomena. One of Zaffis' most compelling artifacts is a small statue of the Virgin Mary, her hands melted off during the infamous 1986 haunting of a home in Southington, CT.
The Virgin Mary
This small statue of the Virgin Mary had its hands melted off during the infamous 1986 haunting of a home in Southington, CT. The statue is one of many compelling items that can be found at the world-famous John Zaffis Museum of the Paranormal.
The Virginia Historical Society
The Virginia Historical Society in Richmond is home to many artifacts, including a worn and rusty sword used in the Civil War during the Battle of the Crater in in 1864. This battle was memorable for all the wrong reasons, namely, a disastrous attempt by the Union to dig a crater and charge at their Confederate foes from below the ground in Petersburg, VA -- only to be trapped within the crater.
Mangled Sword
This sword was used in the Civil War during the Battle of the Crater in in 1864. It is housed at the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond.
International Spy Museum
Within the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC, is a small shortwave radio that played a key role in exposing and capturing a covert Nazi spy ring collecting intelligence from within the US.
Nazi Spy Radio
This shortwave radio at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC, was used by a double agent named William Sebold in 1940, and it transmitted approximately 300 messages to German spies that were traced and controlled by the FBI. Using Sebold's faulty transmissions, the FBI was able to successfully snag what J. Edgar Hoover called "the greatest spy roundup in US history."
National Museum of Naval Aviation
The National Museum of Naval Aviation, located in Pensacola, FL, is home to hundreds of artifacts from the Navy’s fascinating history.
Bird Dog
One artifact hanging from the National Museum of Naval Aviation roof is a 1950-era, 2-seat Cessna O-1 Bird Dog. The metal plane with a 36-foot wingspan was used to locate enemy ground positions. This is the same model that was instrumental in one of the most ingenious and compelling acts of human bravery in all of the Vietnam War.
Brassiere Brigade
The St. Petersburg Museum of History in Florida is home to an everyday piece of intimate apparel that tells a particularly entertaining story of a salacious plot planned by women at the Southern Bell Phone Company to rob the company coin by coin.
Salida Museum
Located in the heart of Salida, CO, is the aptly named Salida Museum where hundreds of objects representing the history of the region are displayed.
Furry Fishtail
One artifact that graces the walls of the Salida Museum stands apart from the rest. It’s about 7 inches long and colored a silvery gray. It has a brown coat of hair, a wide mouth and a broad scaly tail. This furry river dweller was rumored to live in the waters near here and caused a sensation when its existence was announced.
