Real Ghostbusters - The American Society for Psychical Research

The New York Times today reports that Dan Aykroyd, of the Ghostbusters film, is involved with a new online game about tracking ghosts. The full article, titled "New Video Game? Who You Gonna Call?" can be read here.

But what I took away from the article was a place in New York City that I have never heard of before - the American Society for Psychical Research which at first I thought was bogus but then, thanks to google, found that it does exist and is located at 5 West 73rd Street, near Central Park in New York City.

Here from their website:

The American Society for Psychical Research is the oldest psychical research organization in the United States. For more than a century, the ASPR has supported the scientific investigation of extraordinary or as yet unexplained phenomena that have been called psychic or paranormal. The ASPR was founded in 1885 by a distinguished group of scholars who shared the courage and vision to explore the uncharted realms of human consciousness, among them renowned Harvard psychologist and Professor of Philosophy, William James.

The ASPR headquarters is located in New York City in an historical landmark building acquired by the Society with the generous support of benefactors, including physicist-inventor of the Xerox, Chester Carlson. In addition to laboratories and offices, the ASPR maintains a one-of-a-kind library and archive. This international collection contains rare books, case reports, letters and manuscripts that date back to the 1700's.

A pioneering international organization, the ASPR serves as a global information network for public and professional audiences. Through its publications and educational services it provides responsible information about relevant contemporary and historical research.

Who knew?