INVESTIGATE SIX LOCATIONS IN ONE NIGHT!
How will the night work?
- From 6pm to 7pm, there will be a meet and greet with Phantoms of Yore and the other investigators, discussion of the history of the sites, and video review of the micro-investigations POY conducted at each site. Teams will be organized and itineraries handed out.
- At 7pm, there will be an equipment workshop on the kit that each group will be using for the evening.
- At 7:45pm, investigators will depart for their first location, which they will explore for about an hour before moving to the next stop.
- Investigations end at 2am. Teams can leave their equipment with the facilitator at their ending site, or they can return the equipment to the Gatehouse to swap story with POY and other investigators over coffee.
What makes these sites so interesting to explore?
- Almonte Old Town Hall - Since its construction in 1885, the building has served various functions, including municipal offices, a fire station, police station, jailhouse, and a library. In December 1942, it was used as a morgue following a tragic train wreck just meters away from the town hall, which resulted in 39 casualties. Despite its eerie history, and reports of phantom footsteps, this will be the first investigation of the site.
- Gatehouse (Kintail Conservation Area) - Built in 1830 and originally serving as both a general store and homestead, this building rarely disappoints. Numerous teams conducting investigations with POY over the years have reported an inexplicable pull towards a specific area on the second floor. Reports include experiences of negative energies, ghostly encounters, sudden temperature shifts, and tables moving on their own.
- Gristmill (Kintail Conservation Area) - Built in the same era as the Gatehouse, the picturesque yet haunted mill has been a hotspot for paranormal activity since opening to the public, with reports of doors mysteriously operating, furniture rearranging overnight, and inexplicable sounds. Many attribute these eerie occurrences to the spirits of former owners Robert and Ethel McKenzie, with Robert's sculpting and Ethel's piano playing still echoing through the building.
- Mississippi Valley Textile Museum - The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, nestled in the historic annex of the former Rosamond Woolen Company in Almonte, Ontario, showcases the intertwining history of the Mississippi Valley and the textile industry since its establishment in 1867. Fittingly, as old as the Canada itself, it is a National Historic Site. A former owner is known for playing tricks from the other side. We'll see what he has in store for us.
- Settler's Cabin (North Lanark Regional Museum) - It is the oldest and one of the most intriguing buildings we will be investigating, dating back to 1840. Owned by several generations of local families, this one-of-a-kind structure has never been investigated before.
- S.S. No. 11 Ramsay - Appleton School (North Lanark Regional Museum) - The original log schoolhouse from the 1830s was replaced by a brick building in 1877, which educated thousands of students for almost a century. A fire in July 1979 destroyed the brick structure, but the original basement survived, preserving the whispers of its storied past. Echoing the pioneering spirit of the Settler's Cabin, we will be the first group to investigate the building.
Upcoming Investigations
Who are Phantoms of Yore?
Phantoms of Yore are the Haunted Walk’s official paranormal investigations partners. POY was founded in March 2018 by Elliot Luijkenaar (left) and Eric Oickle (right). The pair wanted to assist in the preservation of unique historical sites by facilitating public Paranormal Investigations. Over the past three years they have hosted dozens of popular events and have helped raise thousands of dollars for restorative work, renovations and other funding needs. Some of the sites include: L’Original Jail, Murney Tower, Ninette Sanatorium, Cornwall Jail, Mill of Kintail and the HI Ottawa Jail Hostel.
What happens at public investigations?
Simply put, these events allows guests to be paranormal investigators for the evening. These suspenseful, entertaining and informative experiences share the history, folklore, paranormal accounts about the site, and the theories and hypothesis behind paranormal investigations. Investigators film their own experiences and the footage is uploaded so it can be reviewed for possible paranormal captures. Live feeds are also included in most events, allowing for patrons to have instant access to the footage. Many paranormal enthusiasts and experienced investigators watch the live feed to help detect anomalies.
