Something Supernatural: Mothman

Something Supernatural: The Legend of Mothman

October 30, 2024 at 5:00 pm, EST

This installment of the Something Supernatural: Tales from Around the World Webinar Series explores the legend of Mothman. First emerging in the mid-1960s in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, the Mothman legend continues to intrigue. While a significant example of American folklore, sightings of similar creatures have increasingly been reported worldwide.  Dr. Eleanor Hasken-Wagner, folklorist and Museum and Historic Sites Supervisor for the city of Frankfort, Kentucky, will discuss the origin of the Mothman as well as the legend’s migration across time and space. Throughout, she will share fascinating tales. Farida Jalalzai and Sean Sidky will moderate.  Sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences (Global Initiatives and Engagement). This event is free and open to the public. Zoom registration is required. Contact: fjalalzai@vt.edu 

Eleanor Hasken-Wagner, Ph.D. is the Museum and Historic Sites Supervisor for the city of Frankfort.  She is a graduate of Indiana University, with a Ph.D. in Folklore & Ethnomusicology and a minor in History. Her dissertation is titled: "The Migration of a Local Legend: The Case of Mothman." In 2016, she graduated WKU's Folk Studies program after defending her MA thesis: "Performing Gender in Bowling, or, 'I Was in Shock Other Girls Could Bowl." Academically, she specializes in the formation and role of narrative in our lives. As the Museum and Historic Sites Supervisor, her primary responsibility is to manage, plan events, and curate exhibits at the Capital City Museum. She is the host of the award-winning Kentucky Deceased: Hauntings of Frankfort Podcast. In her spare time, she can be found tinkering on vintage mopeds and doing fiber-based arts.