Page 13 - Demo

In 1960, two ardent Spiritualists, Tom O%u2019Neill, editor of the Psychic Observer(a pro-Spiritualist publication), and researcher Dr. Andriga Puharrich arrived at Camp Chesterfield, hoping to capture the materialization of a spirit on motion-picture film for the first time%u2014with the full knowledge of the mediums involved. While the people taking part in the s%u00e9ance saw wispy figures appear from out of nowhere, the lens of the camera revealed camp employees entering the darkened room through a hidden door. The two published their findings in an article titled, %u201cFraud Uncovered at Chesterfield Spiritualism Camp.%u201d But oddly, it was the researchers who came under fire, not the camp or the mediums. Soon, advertisers quit supporting the Psychic Observer, and it eventually went out of business. It was another case of belief winning out over the facts. For more information, see O%u2019Neill%u2019s and Puharrich%u2019s articles at the end of this section.Another scandal erupted in 1976, when Lamar Keene, who had been known as the Prince of the Spiritualists, and had been a medium at Camp Chesterfield, wrote an expos%u00e9 titled The Psychic Mafia. In it, he revealed all the tricks he had used as a medium. Plus, he alleged that there was widespread fraud throughout the camp, and claimed there were rooms filled with tens of thousands of notecards containing information on every person who had ever had a reading at the camp. Furthermore, he said those cards were used by mediums to add authenticity to their readings. He also told of stealing and pickpocketing during some of the Spiritualist sessions. Local non-believers often refer to Chesterfield as the %u201cspook camp,%u201d and in 1996 arsonists set fire to one of its historic hotels, the Lily, which was completely destroyed. But Camp Chesterfield, like Spiritualism itself, has endured, despite vandalism, scandal, and negative publicity.Camp Chesterfield is one of the oldest continuously active Spiritualist camps in America. It honors all religions, including New Age, native American, and eastern belief systems. It is a year-round facility, offering Sunday church services, psychic fairs, individual readings, and group s%u00e9ances. There are weeklong and mini seminars throughout the year, as well as an annual Summer Workshop Series that runs from June through October to showcase resident mediums and guest presenters. Spirit Fest, the highlight of the year, is held on the third weekend of each September.