GSA Does That!?
GSA Does That!? tells the stories of how GSA delivers effective and efficient government through its buildings, acquisitions, and technology. Each episode will give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the people and programs making the business of government happen.
GSA Does That!? has something for everyone, featuring interviews with senior leadership, program experts, outside guests, and others who will provide fresh perspectives on GSA's work.
GSA Does That!?
Haunted Halls - Skeptic Turned Believer
In this chilling episode of Haunted Halls, we explore the eerie history and unexplained paranormal encounters at the Wayne Aspinall Federal Building in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Aspinall building, known for its innovative sustainability and historic architecture, has a spookier side—ghost sightings, mysterious cold spots, and strange noises that have left even skeptics questioning reality. Discover how a century-old building can hold more than history, from ghostly figures in cowboy hats to unexplainable footsteps and shadowy apparitions. Tune in to hear real-life accounts from employees and contractors who have experienced the Aspinall's haunted past firsthand. Whether you're a fan of haunted places, federal buildings, or Colorado's supernatural history, this episode will send chills down your spine.
"GSA Does That!?" is the U.S. General Services Administration's first agency-wide podcast, offering listeners an inside look into how GSA and its partners benefit the American people. Hosted by Rob Trubia, the podcast features interviews with GSA leaders, experts, partners, and customers, covering topics such as federal real estate, acquisitions, and technology. The title reflects many's surprise at the scope of GSA's impact. At the same time, the artwork pays homage to President Harry S. Truman, who established GSA in 1949 to improve government efficiency and save taxpayer money. Whether you're a policy wonk or just curious about government operations, you can join the listener community.
For more information about the show visit, gsa.gov/podcast.
Say hello to the podcast for history and mystery come together. In this series, we're taking you on a journey through the haunted halls of federal buildings across the country where the past continues to linger in unexpected ways. From mysterious footsteps echoing in empty corridors to spectral figures seen after hours. These stories remind us that history is more than what's written in textbooks. It's alive in the places we work and through the people who've come before us. So turn down the lights. Get comfortable and join us as we explore the haunted history of America's federal buildings. Welcome to haunted halls. I'm not a believer, but with everything that has happened, it is hard to be a skeptic. Let me ask you, what happens when you take a historic building that is over 100 years old and modernize it? Did the construction to make it one of the most energy efficient and sustainable historic buildings in the country, wake something up? Or perhaps it was there all along just waiting to make itself known. The Wayne Aspinall Federal Building and U.S. courthouse sits on the other side of Colorado's Rocky Mountains. Amongst the hustle and bustle of Grand Junction's booming fruit industry. Initially completed in 1918, the building was the first permanent post office constructed in the city. Prior to Grand Junction becoming the center of the Manhattan Projects secret efforts to mine and refine uranium ore from the surrounding mills in the Colorado Plateau an addition was added in 1940. As the Sunshine Mines over the Western Slope, the Aspinall is just your average three story federal office building. Except for being the most energy efficient building in GSA's Rocky Mountain region, Leed platinum certified, and the first Net-zero building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But while the building stands as a testament to innovative sustainability, running completely on self-produced photovoltaic and geothermal energy, there may just be another stronger energy roaming its halls. Is it the gunslingers of the Wild West, or the legacy of those of the Ute and Fremont tribes? Or maybe something else? When you have an 106 year old building, there is bound to be reports of more than just doors opening and closing. Amongst the tenants there are whispers of the Aspinall's haunted past, from unexplained occurrences to eerie experiences. Join us as we tell you the tales, and you decide if the renovation of the Aspinall might have stirred up more than a little dust. The building manager and self-proclaimed skeptic recalls their first of many encounters, like out of a movie. It was during their early days as the building manager that they got a call, an intrusion alarm had triggered. It was a hot August evening and they rushed over to the old gray girl, as many affectionately called the Aspinall. Weirdly, the doors were secure, with no intrusion in sight. But just to be safe, they decided to walk the building. Next thing they know, in this long hallway, the motion lights suddenly shut off. They froze, slowly, turning on their phone flashlight, realizing. Suddenly it gets cold and I can see my breath. That was spooky. They were the quote unquote new guy. So maybe, just maybe, the spirits were having a little fun. But for them, they had a job to get done. I told the ghost to leave me alone. I was trying to fix their building. Soon they would learn this would be the first of many encounters with the paranormal residents of the Aspinall. I'm not a believer, but with everything that has happened, it is hard to be a skeptic. There's just too much that is simply unexplainable. But it isn't just the building manager that this presence was making itself known to. From screams, howls, more recently whistling it seems like the building's spirits are happy to make themselves known. During the Net Zero Energy renovation project efforts were made to restore historic original features of the courthouse. Like restoring the original skylight in the post office workroom. Contractors during this project all reported mysterious happenings from a group of workers, all seeing a man in a suit walk into the containment area to two workers seeing an apparition of a man in a cowboy hat with a long coat floating down the hall towards them. They both fled, leaving their tools and refusing to step foot back in the building. It seems this spirit has perhaps made itself known to others as well. A custodian was cleaning a bathroom when backing out of one stall. They looked left and saw a figure leaning against the double sinks, telling them one second, they went back into the stall to finish. But when the custodian backed out again just a few seconds later, the figure was gone. The custodian looked up and down the hall, but no one was around, nor was there any sound of someone coming or going. Once again, the figure was described as a man in a cowboy hat with a long coat and dusty boots. Imagine you are having lunch with your colleagues. When you all hear your name whisper or the door nod to your changing room turns when the door is locked and closed. Footsteps and tapping on a daily occurrence. Toilets flushing on their own or even lights turning on in unoccupied rooms. Shadowy figures walking across empty jail cells and unexplainable cold spots. You two would start to sprinkle salt, bring a little sage to work, or seek answers from someone more intuitive than yourself. Our public buildings and courthouses get a variety of visitors day in and day out, but it isn't very often, mediums visit. Tenants have reached out to mediums for answers, and what they've said is eye opening. Apparently there are three souls wandering the basement of the building, and unfortunately for our building manager, that's where the GSA office is. In February, court security reported loud screaming in the basement after hours. And I've heard it as well on separate occasions. I'm still trying to be a skeptic, but the evidence is really piling up. The Aspinall’s hauntings aren't the only mysterious part of the building. How does a nearly six foot by eight foot oil mural on canvas disappear from the halls? Completed in 1940, Louise Emerson Ronnebeck’s The Harvest as a regionalist style mural that hangs in the building's post office today. In 1973, the mural was shipped to Washington, DC for restoration, and it's simply disappeared. Somewhere, this mural found its way to New York, seemingly abandoned, and with its mysterious adventures, found its way restored and back to its original home in Grand Junction. The piece is one of many in GSA's Fine Arts collection, and its eventual return to the Aspinall speaks to the motto of the program, we preserve the legacy of federal art. The eyes of the man and woman depicted harvesting peaches welcome and watch those coming and going from the Aspinall. And maybe they're watching more than just for living. Thanks for joining us for the latest edition of Haunted Halls. If you liked what you heard and you have your own spooky stories to share, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at gsadoesthat@gsa.gov, and we might feature your story in our next edition. If you want to learn more about the podcast, visit our website at gsa.gov/podcast. All the stories in this series come from real people who've lived them. As with any ghost story, the tales grow larger and more extravagant with each retelling. We aim to highlight historic properties in the federal portfolio and document some of the lore surrounding them. We hope you enjoyed and we'll spook you next time.
