Haunted Stouffville museum doesn’t have to fake it for Halloween event
Stouffville Sun-Tribune
By Sandra Bolan
The next time you visit the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum, a live staff member may greet you or it may be spirits who have decided to call it home.
“They’ve taken to announcing themselves,” said Joan Crosbie, manger of culture for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. Some, she said, are not all that happy with museum staff while other “spirits” appear to be OK with them. There is one building in particular with “more of a negative energy” than others, according to Crosbie.
Want to find out which one?
For the first time the museum is hosting a ghost tracking event with real paranormal investigators Oct. 25, 6 to 9 p.m.
“To me, it’s the perfect Halloween event that’s not all about getting candy,” Crosbie said.
Because of the activity recently found on the grounds by the Wellington County Paranormal Investigators, participants must be 14 years and older and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
In September, a team of 14 investigators volunteered their services for seven hours to explore some unexplained occurrences at the museum. “It’s just like you see on TV,” Crosbie said of the infrared equipment and walking through darkened rooms and hallways. Crosbie admitted to not staying for the whole investigation and “I’m glad I didn’t stay”, without elaborating on the findings.
What led Crosbie to thinking something may not be quite right at the museum was two staff members, completely independent of each other, told her they saw the same artifact move of its own accord. Staff also reported not being comfortable in a certain building. “You’re either sensitive to this stuff or not,” she said.
The Haunted Museum tour is $39 per person and includes a pizza dinner. The paranormal investigators will discuss their findings before they lead everyone out onto the property. Attendees are invited to bring along their own silent ghost tracking devices, compasses and digital/video cameras. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited.
To register, call 905-727-8954.
During the daylight hours, children aged three to 10 can trick or treat, in costume, at the museum. They will also be able to make pumpkin cookies and decorate loot bags. The cost is $10 per child. Ghoulicious begins at 1 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Call 905-727-8954.
Oct 19, 2015
Is house at Stouffville museum haunted?
YorkRegion.com
By Sandra Bolan
If no reasonable explanation can be found, then it must be an “unexplained phenomenon” and the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum has a few of them.
For the second year in a row, the Wellington County Paranormal Investigators will share some of the unexplained phenomenons that have been occurring on the rural site, in particular, inside the Brown house.
For the second year in a row, the Wellington County Paranormal Investigators will share some of the unexplained phenomenons that have been occurring on the rural site, in particular, inside the Brown
house. The Haunted Museum takes place Oct. 24, 6 to 9 p.m.
James Brown constructed the Brown house on Concession 10 between 1850 and 1860. Upon James’ death is 1882, his son, John Johnson Brown, took it over. In 1923, his daughter Cora and her husband took over the farm in 1923.
Cora lived in the home until her death in 1952. Her husband lived there until1965, according to Joan Crosbie, manager of culture and community services for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville.
There has been a “presence” found in one of the bedrooms that does not want men in it, according to Crosbie.
There is also a presence in the basement, she said, which was not part of the original home. It was added as a secure base for the home and is used mostly for storage.
Before the house was moved to the museum’s property, the site was home to a sawmill. Whether or not the negative presence in the basement is related to the sawmill has yet to be determined.
The evening is not intended to be a scary event, but an investigation.
“Most people in this program believe. … It’s presented as research,” Crosbie said.
It sold out last year and capacity is again set at 30.
Pre-registration is required. Call 905-727-8954. Tickets are $30 each. The evening is for people 14 years and older. Bring a digital camera and silent ghost tracking devices.