Things that lurk in the night may be more than just a chill down the spine. One Provo folklorist collects eerie tales and turns them into a form of living history.
Folklorist Danny Stewart gathers strange accounts of hauntings and the supernatural to connect locals with their community.
To Stewart, ghost stories are more than wives’ tales; they are folklore.
“I spend my life pursuing stories. Not monsters. Not ghosts. Stories,” Stewart said.
He has collected hundreds of pieces of Utah folklore from common places in Provo. He also runs his own social media account, Utah Folklore God, where he shares these stories online.
“I’m a boots-on-the-ground folklorist. Boom. Right there. Period,” Stewart said.
His wife, Tara, often joins him on the tours.
“I think it's a big testament to when you actually take your time to open your eyes and to go out on these walks and talk to people and connect with the community,” she said.
Both Danny and Tara Stewart love not only sharing these stories with others on their tours but also gathering new ones from participants.
For those wanting to experience the stories themselves, Stewart offers ghost tours and fairy walks upon request, with the chance of adding an encounter of their own to his growing collection.