Tennessee Tech Professor Teaches Haunted History On Travel Channel Show

Look for Tennessee Tech Associate Professor of History Paula Hinton on new episodes of a popular Travel Channel series.

Hinton featured on “The Dead Files” and episodes on Lantana Cemetery in Crossville and a second concerning the Nashville Public Library. Hinton said she was invited as an expert on the history of the events discussed in the episodes, where she got to watch the behind-the-scenes.

“It’s been very rewarding to be able to participate in something like that,” Hinton said. “And to be able to contribute something that’s of some interest to somebody.”

Hinton said she was invited on the program after show runners emailed Tennessee Tech requesting an expert on the paranormal and crime. Hinton said the guest spot fit her nicely as she’s always been interested in incorporating history with other similar topics.

“I teach a class, in fact, I’m teaching it right now, called, ‘Ghosts, Myths, and Legends in American History,’” Hinton said. “And I covered the Salem Witch Trails and there was a vampire scare in New England in the late 1800s. Little things like that, it’s really an American History class but we just look at it through that lens.”

Hinton said she was nervous stepping into the spotlight, though the crew and whole experience were fun throughout. Hinton said that recurring host, retired New York Homicide Detective Steve DiSchiavi, was also a pleasure to work with.

“He was a hoot and a half,” Hinton said. “And he’s got that thick New York accent so that was kinda fun, and everybody was really kind because I was super nervous.”

Hinton said combining subjects like she’s been doing throughout her teaching and guest on ‘The Dead Files’ helps spur interest in history. Hinton said that teaching the history of crime also helps people look at society at the time of the crimes being discussed.