kawartha lakes museum & archives
formerly the Olde Gaol Musum Heritage Centre & archives
Lindsay, Ont.
March 27, 2022
The wind howled through the cracks of the old building, as the team stood around, chatting away and getting everything ready. It was as if we were being welcomed back by old friends, but at the same time it made you weary of your surroundings. It was our second time investigating this location, but first time without any production cameras following us around. The energy and atmosphere had a different feel to it – could this be because of the major construction going on with and in a section of this location? Our host for the evening, Barbara, sure felt like something was amiss and that the root cause of it was the demolition taking place.
Built in 1863, the Victoria County Goal serviced the surrounding area. While being a place for those who were convicted of a crime, or waiting conviction, the Gaol also housed the disabled, women, children, and those deemed vagrants. Cell blocks were located on each of the three floors and included solitary confinement. The third-floor cell block was designated to women, children and the disabled. These cell blocks have changed very little over the years – they have retained much of their original design. The Gaol Warden had an apartment on the premise that they would live in with their family. The south side of the main entrance was their living quarters: a small living room, dining room, and kitchen. The second floor had five bedrooms and a bathroom that the Gaol Warden and his family occupied. With a renovation done in 1982, the Gaol added a south wing and a north cell block. Like the majority of gaols, the walls had seen its fair share of violence and other unmentionable events. It has housed some interesting individuals and ones that have committed crimes that are incomprehensible. The Gaol remained active until it was closed in 2003 and all remaining prisoners where transferred to the new Jail located on Highway 36 in Lindsay.
“I feel like someone is sitting on my chest,” said Jay as we were getting ready to head to the Museum offices. “Didn’t I pick someone up in the cells down there?” Lisa said, pointing the cell block directly in front of here. “I feel like it’s the third cell,” added Jay. While someone might have been in the third cell, it was actually on the other side that Lisa had a connection with someone during our last visit. “Somebody’s jaw hurts,” continued Lisa. We stood there for a few minutes, listening the wind howling through the building. “This place is whack,” said Jay. “I can see someone running through a corridor,” he added. The team made their way to the north cell block, which was now the museum offices. This cell block had five cells that would have each housed two inmates. “I am feeling dizzy in here now,” said Lisa. “Thank you. Just as I was coming through here my head was pounding,” added Jay. “I got a pain on my left and now I’m dizzy,” continued Lisa. “Mine is on the right,” said Jay. “Like I got hit by a two by four,” he added. Barbara asked if we wanted to take a look outside at what once was the courtyards. Recently the town required the walls to be taken down as they posed a safety risk. A demolition crew had been called in and the walls were torn down, leaving a mess of rubble behind. This was what Barbara thought was causing the energy in the building to feel uneasy. The team ventured out to the back to take a careful look around.
Built in 1863, the Victoria County Goal serviced the surrounding area. While being a place for those who were convicted of a crime, or waiting conviction, the Gaol also housed the disabled, women, children, and those deemed vagrants. Cell blocks were located on each of the three floors and included solitary confinement. The third-floor cell block was designated to women, children and the disabled. These cell blocks have changed very little over the years – they have retained much of their original design. The Gaol Warden had an apartment on the premise that they would live in with their family. The south side of the main entrance was their living quarters: a small living room, dining room, and kitchen. The second floor had five bedrooms and a bathroom that the Gaol Warden and his family occupied. With a renovation done in 1982, the Gaol added a south wing and a north cell block. Like the majority of gaols, the walls had seen its fair share of violence and other unmentionable events. It has housed some interesting individuals and ones that have committed crimes that are incomprehensible. The Gaol remained active until it was closed in 2003 and all remaining prisoners where transferred to the new Jail located on Highway 36 in Lindsay.
“I feel like someone is sitting on my chest,” said Jay as we were getting ready to head to the Museum offices. “Didn’t I pick someone up in the cells down there?” Lisa said, pointing the cell block directly in front of here. “I feel like it’s the third cell,” added Jay. While someone might have been in the third cell, it was actually on the other side that Lisa had a connection with someone during our last visit. “Somebody’s jaw hurts,” continued Lisa. We stood there for a few minutes, listening the wind howling through the building. “This place is whack,” said Jay. “I can see someone running through a corridor,” he added. The team made their way to the north cell block, which was now the museum offices. This cell block had five cells that would have each housed two inmates. “I am feeling dizzy in here now,” said Lisa. “Thank you. Just as I was coming through here my head was pounding,” added Jay. “I got a pain on my left and now I’m dizzy,” continued Lisa. “Mine is on the right,” said Jay. “Like I got hit by a two by four,” he added. Barbara asked if we wanted to take a look outside at what once was the courtyards. Recently the town required the walls to be taken down as they posed a safety risk. A demolition crew had been called in and the walls were torn down, leaving a mess of rubble behind. This was what Barbara thought was causing the energy in the building to feel uneasy. The team ventured out to the back to take a careful look around.
The three courtyards at the Gaol served several purposes. The southern courtyard was used by the inmates for recreation and exercise. The northern courtyard was were inmates would fulfill their hard-labour sentences (whether that was chopping wood for the town’s public buildings, or breaking rocks). The centre courtyard was were juvenile inmates played and capital punishment took place. It was also where three bodies were buried. The gallows would be constructed and deconstructed for each hanging.
“Daniel?” questioned Jay. “Kenwall? Jacob Kenwall?” he quizzed. “Where did the walls…” Lisa trailed off. “Where did the middle go? Where was it?” she questioned. Barbara pointed to where the centre courtyard once stood. “Is there a courthouse here? Like did they do any of that here?” asked Jay. Barbara then points to a building across from the rubble. “No, the original courthouse is there,” she said. “Did they do any sentencing here? That kind of route?” asked Jay. “Lawyers would have visited their clients, and there was a tunnel that connected the two buildings at one point,” Barbara replied. “Oh, I wonder if that is what I’m feeling,” said Jay. “We know where the entrances are on both sides, but it has been filled,” added Barbara. “I feel like I’m going to lose my voice,” Lisa said with a squeak. “And there it goes,” she tried to say. “I don’t know why I lost my voice, but I could feel it,” she said. “You can smell the earth,” she added as she scanned the rubble. “There are bones,” Lisa stated abruptly. “They haven’t found bones yet?” she asked Barbara. “Are they going to?” Barbara questioned. “I think so,” answered Lisa. “Do we know where?” asked Barbara. “In this area, where the shed use to be,” answered Lisa, pointing the north courtyard. “Great, we are hoping not,” said Barbara. “At one time there were some bodies buried on site. We do have records of bodies being removed. Multiple excavations since have yielded nothing. If we do find any, we have a plan in place,” she added. “I don’t feel well out here,” said Alison. “I don’t like it,” she added. “I feel sad,” added Lisa. Not sensing much more other than the cold wind, the team headed back into the gaol and into the staff offices.
Once inside and the door was closed, Lisa’s voice finally returned. “Oh, my voice is back!” she exclaimed. The team then moved about looking around in the old cells that were now set up as offices. “Oh wow, wow,” Jay said as he and Sheena were looking around the cells at the back. “Is there something in this room that was recently brought in here in the last three months?” Lisa asked, as she stood by the fourth cell. “Yes,” answered Barbara. “Okay, it has attachments,” replied Lisa. Lisa stepped into the cell to see if she could pinpoint where the energy was coming from. “That?” Lisa questioned as she pointed to an object that was sitting on the desk in front of her. “Yes, three to four weeks ago,” said Barbara. “My arm is so sore right now,” said Lisa. “This is trench art, made from artillery shells,” added Barbara. “Like my arm is blown off, geez,” said Lisa. “So, this was like a bullet?” she asked. “Yes,” Barbara answered. “My ears are funky now,” stated Alison. “It’s a tickle touch. They just want my attention,” she added. “There is definitely an attachment. I got ‘Mary G’,” said Lisa. “Do you know where they came come?” she asked next. “No, I picked them up at a local auction,” Barbara answered. “I feel like this was Irish, meaning the person was of Irish descent,” said Lisa. “Do people hear papers in here?” she asked next. “Yeah,” replied Barbara. “I think this room here…Geraldine?” Lisa questioned. Lisa exited the cell and suddenly felt off. “All of a sudden, I’m like…” she trailed off. “I need a drink,” she said. “Are you okay?” asked Sheena. “Yes, I’m okay. We can come back to this area after,” Lisa replied. This was our indication that It was time to move on to the next area.
The team made their way to front room where Lisa was trying to sort through what she was feeling. “I don’t understand. I’m quite dizzy,” she said. “That’s what Jay was feeling,” said Alison. “What was down in the back corner?” Jay asked. “Storage room for uniforms,” answered Barbara. “And I don’t want to say search. More like processing and then they would get their uniform and handled a bundle,” she continued. “Ya, it’s brutal down there,” said Jay. “Yeah, there was a lot of violence,” added Barbara. “I feel like I’ve been gagged. To the point that my jaw hurts,” Lisa said suddenly. “Down in the back corner, I felt like I was getting drowned,” said Jay. “Solitary confinements were turned into showers and toilets,” said Barbara. Alison then noted that she was feeling as if her jaw was sore. “There is somebody that overdosed that is sticking to me right now and he is making me so dizzy,” said Lisa. Seeing the opportunity, Rachel decided to show Lisa a photo of a former Prisoner. “He is not a good guy,” said Lisa. “No, he was not,” added Rachel. “Was he in a cult?” asked Lisa. “He was a cult leader,” replied Rachel. “He caused peoples deaths in here,” stated Lisa. “Oh, I don’t doubt it,” said Rachel. “He was pretty sadistic,” she added. “Was it a ‘T’?” asked Lisa. “His last name starts with a ‘T’,” answered Rachel. “A ‘B’?” asked Lisa. “There was a ‘B’ connected to him,” replied Rachel. “Okay, would that be what his tattoo is?” asked Lisa. “Oh, I have no idea,” said Rachel. “Like ‘A’?” Lisa asked next. “Yes, an ‘A’,” replied Rachel. “Yes, he caused several deaths outside and several deaths inside,” said Lisa. “Is he connected to a drug overdose?” she asked next. “Um yeah. More than likely,” said Rachel. “That’s not how he passed?” asked Lisa. “How he passed? No,” said Rachel. “There is a gun,” said Lisa. “Maybe?” replied Rachel quizzically. “No, there was a gun,” replied Lisa. “There were guards that worked for him,” she added. “Oh, probably. Those types of people are very charismatic,” said Rachel. Rachel then showed Barbara the photo she had just shown Lisa. “Oh yeah! For sure yeah!” exclaimed Barbara. “He looks crazy,” said Sean. “He was crazy,” Barbara replied. “Like fucking crazy,” added Lisa. “Like Manson crazy,” added Sean. “Yes! When I saw the picture I thought of Manson,” said Lisa. “But he had followers…” Lisa said as she trailed off, while leaning against the door frame. It as very true. The photo that Rachel had shown was of Roch Theriault. Roch Theriault was the leader of a small religious cult known as the Ant Hill Kids in the late 1970s. His followers lived under his totalitarian rule and were subjected to severe physical and sexual abuse. He was charged and convicted of murdering one of his followers, but it is known that he was responsible for more deaths within his cult. While serving his sentence, he was murdered in his cell, by his cellmate.
“Daniel?” questioned Jay. “Kenwall? Jacob Kenwall?” he quizzed. “Where did the walls…” Lisa trailed off. “Where did the middle go? Where was it?” she questioned. Barbara pointed to where the centre courtyard once stood. “Is there a courthouse here? Like did they do any of that here?” asked Jay. Barbara then points to a building across from the rubble. “No, the original courthouse is there,” she said. “Did they do any sentencing here? That kind of route?” asked Jay. “Lawyers would have visited their clients, and there was a tunnel that connected the two buildings at one point,” Barbara replied. “Oh, I wonder if that is what I’m feeling,” said Jay. “We know where the entrances are on both sides, but it has been filled,” added Barbara. “I feel like I’m going to lose my voice,” Lisa said with a squeak. “And there it goes,” she tried to say. “I don’t know why I lost my voice, but I could feel it,” she said. “You can smell the earth,” she added as she scanned the rubble. “There are bones,” Lisa stated abruptly. “They haven’t found bones yet?” she asked Barbara. “Are they going to?” Barbara questioned. “I think so,” answered Lisa. “Do we know where?” asked Barbara. “In this area, where the shed use to be,” answered Lisa, pointing the north courtyard. “Great, we are hoping not,” said Barbara. “At one time there were some bodies buried on site. We do have records of bodies being removed. Multiple excavations since have yielded nothing. If we do find any, we have a plan in place,” she added. “I don’t feel well out here,” said Alison. “I don’t like it,” she added. “I feel sad,” added Lisa. Not sensing much more other than the cold wind, the team headed back into the gaol and into the staff offices.
Once inside and the door was closed, Lisa’s voice finally returned. “Oh, my voice is back!” she exclaimed. The team then moved about looking around in the old cells that were now set up as offices. “Oh wow, wow,” Jay said as he and Sheena were looking around the cells at the back. “Is there something in this room that was recently brought in here in the last three months?” Lisa asked, as she stood by the fourth cell. “Yes,” answered Barbara. “Okay, it has attachments,” replied Lisa. Lisa stepped into the cell to see if she could pinpoint where the energy was coming from. “That?” Lisa questioned as she pointed to an object that was sitting on the desk in front of her. “Yes, three to four weeks ago,” said Barbara. “My arm is so sore right now,” said Lisa. “This is trench art, made from artillery shells,” added Barbara. “Like my arm is blown off, geez,” said Lisa. “So, this was like a bullet?” she asked. “Yes,” Barbara answered. “My ears are funky now,” stated Alison. “It’s a tickle touch. They just want my attention,” she added. “There is definitely an attachment. I got ‘Mary G’,” said Lisa. “Do you know where they came come?” she asked next. “No, I picked them up at a local auction,” Barbara answered. “I feel like this was Irish, meaning the person was of Irish descent,” said Lisa. “Do people hear papers in here?” she asked next. “Yeah,” replied Barbara. “I think this room here…Geraldine?” Lisa questioned. Lisa exited the cell and suddenly felt off. “All of a sudden, I’m like…” she trailed off. “I need a drink,” she said. “Are you okay?” asked Sheena. “Yes, I’m okay. We can come back to this area after,” Lisa replied. This was our indication that It was time to move on to the next area.
The team made their way to front room where Lisa was trying to sort through what she was feeling. “I don’t understand. I’m quite dizzy,” she said. “That’s what Jay was feeling,” said Alison. “What was down in the back corner?” Jay asked. “Storage room for uniforms,” answered Barbara. “And I don’t want to say search. More like processing and then they would get their uniform and handled a bundle,” she continued. “Ya, it’s brutal down there,” said Jay. “Yeah, there was a lot of violence,” added Barbara. “I feel like I’ve been gagged. To the point that my jaw hurts,” Lisa said suddenly. “Down in the back corner, I felt like I was getting drowned,” said Jay. “Solitary confinements were turned into showers and toilets,” said Barbara. Alison then noted that she was feeling as if her jaw was sore. “There is somebody that overdosed that is sticking to me right now and he is making me so dizzy,” said Lisa. Seeing the opportunity, Rachel decided to show Lisa a photo of a former Prisoner. “He is not a good guy,” said Lisa. “No, he was not,” added Rachel. “Was he in a cult?” asked Lisa. “He was a cult leader,” replied Rachel. “He caused peoples deaths in here,” stated Lisa. “Oh, I don’t doubt it,” said Rachel. “He was pretty sadistic,” she added. “Was it a ‘T’?” asked Lisa. “His last name starts with a ‘T’,” answered Rachel. “A ‘B’?” asked Lisa. “There was a ‘B’ connected to him,” replied Rachel. “Okay, would that be what his tattoo is?” asked Lisa. “Oh, I have no idea,” said Rachel. “Like ‘A’?” Lisa asked next. “Yes, an ‘A’,” replied Rachel. “Yes, he caused several deaths outside and several deaths inside,” said Lisa. “Is he connected to a drug overdose?” she asked next. “Um yeah. More than likely,” said Rachel. “That’s not how he passed?” asked Lisa. “How he passed? No,” said Rachel. “There is a gun,” said Lisa. “Maybe?” replied Rachel quizzically. “No, there was a gun,” replied Lisa. “There were guards that worked for him,” she added. “Oh, probably. Those types of people are very charismatic,” said Rachel. Rachel then showed Barbara the photo she had just shown Lisa. “Oh yeah! For sure yeah!” exclaimed Barbara. “He looks crazy,” said Sean. “He was crazy,” Barbara replied. “Like fucking crazy,” added Lisa. “Like Manson crazy,” added Sean. “Yes! When I saw the picture I thought of Manson,” said Lisa. “But he had followers…” Lisa said as she trailed off, while leaning against the door frame. It as very true. The photo that Rachel had shown was of Roch Theriault. Roch Theriault was the leader of a small religious cult known as the Ant Hill Kids in the late 1970s. His followers lived under his totalitarian rule and were subjected to severe physical and sexual abuse. He was charged and convicted of murdering one of his followers, but it is known that he was responsible for more deaths within his cult. While serving his sentence, he was murdered in his cell, by his cellmate.
After a few minutes, Lisa had gained her bearings and we headed up to the second floor. “I don’t like the basement or that room,” said Lisa. “This is where the infirmary was,” she said. “It’s hard to breathe,” said Alison. “Yes,” said Lisa. “I am having a hard time too,” added Rachel. The team moved towards the end of the hallway. “I don’t know who is bothering me up here, but they need to stop,” Alison said. The team moved in the area that was once the infirmary. “Oh, they showed me again. Is this the room that they did things to that girl before?” asked Lisa. “No, I think that’s up one more floor,” said Alison. During our first visit, Lisa connected with a women that was subjected to a form of violence during her time in the gaol. Sheena had also felt the energy of this women and was great affected. “Please don’t touch my hair. Thank you,” said Lisa. The team then moved out of the room and into the next exhibit room. “The Governor and family would have stayed on this said in an apartment,” said Barbara. “This would have been a master bedroom,” she continued. “The ceilings are all original too. The room is set up as an exhibit to honour two sisters,” she added. “Are you planning on changing this room?” asked Lisa. “Hmm. Next year sometime,” answered Barbara. “They’re telling me it won’t be displayed for much longer,” said Lisa. “I love that they are telling you operational stuff,” said Barbara with a smile. Lisa then shook her heard in disbelief. “Okay, there are sometimes they choose what they don’t want me to see, and then there are times they choose what they want me to see,” she said. “I went back before the exhibit room and there were children conceived in this room,” she continued. “Yes, because it was a Master bedroom,” said Barbara. “Yup. I saw that. And with Bernardo, I saw that too,” stated Lisa. It is not common knowledge, but Paul Bernardo was housed at the Olde Gaol before sentencing and being sent to Kingston Pen. Lisa had no prior knowledge of this and brought it up during our first visit. She also described seeing some not so pleasant gaol experiences that he was subjected to that she could only describe as something he deserved and that adult diapers are his new friends.
As we passed the next room, Lisa quickly peered in. “I see a little boy jumping on a bed that that room,” she said. “What colour hair does he have?” asked Alison. “Blonde,” answered Lisa. Alison looked and Rachel and smiled. A few seconds earlier, Barbara mentioned to Alison that a few have reported seeing a little blonde boy in that room that they call ‘George’. The team then made their way into the cell block. Lisa talked a bit more about Bernardo, but due to confidentiality and privacy issues, we chose not to record it. As we moved about the cell block Lisa kept seeing the little boy. “I see a little boy in here still,” said Lisa. “Yes, Barbara confirmed it,” said Alison. “He has a gap between his front teeth,” she added. The team then decided to head to the third floor but before we got to the stairwell, Lisa received a message. “I don’t know if this is meant for any of us or the staff, but they want “us” to be careful on the stairs,” she said. “Okay, okay,” replied Barbara. “Just be extra cautious on the stairs please,” said Lisa. “Thank you,” said Barbara. The team made their way up the stairs where both Lisa and Alison ducked at the same time, as if they were about to get hit in the head with something. Both laughed but couldn’t figure out why they had both ducked. Rachel, who was right behind both did not get the same urge to duck and was a little confused as to what was going on.
“So, what was up here?” asked Sean as the team entered the third-floor hallway. “Early years, women and children,” answered Barbara. “Six women in the cells. Children as young as eight,” she added. “I get a headache in here,” said Sheena. “Ask them to take it back,” Lisa said to her. “Wilhelmina? Will? Willa? Something like that,” Lisa then said. “There is a little girl. She is three. Her name is Wilhelmina,” she continued. The team walked around the cell block. “Do you feel the girl?” Lisa asked Sheena. “Yes. I felt her downstairs,” replied Sheena. “She is on the other side,” she added, referring to the other side of the cell block. “Okay, I think I want to go over to the other side,” said Lisa. The team made their way around to the other side of the cell block. “Oh yes, this is the sad lady,” said Lisa. “What’s in the attic?” asked Jay. “There are attic spaces, but you don’t want to go up there,” said Barbara. The team then discussed all the items that the cells and hallways were currently home to and how hard Barbara and the volunteers of the museum have worked over the years to get everything catalogued and researched. “They actually appreciated the work you are doing,” said Lisa. “Aw, thanks,” replied Barbara. As we stood around looking at the graffiti left behind by the last gaol residents in 2003, Lisa began to rub her face. “I have no idea what is going on with my eye,” she said. “I feel like I don’t have my right eye,” she added. “Are you wearing a patch, or it just gone?” asked Rachel. “I don’t know. It’s just got some funky shit going on with it,” replied Lisa. “Like somebody lost their eye,” she added. “Yup. I can’t see out of that eye,” she continued. The team exited the cell block and headed back down the hallway. “When I cam up here, that first door, when I went down and came back around, I seen a black shadow,” said Jay. “It’s a guard,” said Lisa. “It’s actually a guard,” she continued. “Something just rattled downstairs,” said Sheena. The team remained quiet for a few moments, hoping to hear what Sheena had just heard. We then decided to head back downstairs to see if we could find the noise that Sheena had heard. We unfortunately couldn’t find the source, so we decided to prepare our equipment and get ready for our live video.
After gathering the equipment, we headed to the first-floor cell block to begin the investigation. We turned on the live video and away we went. Watch the video below to see what happened!
As we passed the next room, Lisa quickly peered in. “I see a little boy jumping on a bed that that room,” she said. “What colour hair does he have?” asked Alison. “Blonde,” answered Lisa. Alison looked and Rachel and smiled. A few seconds earlier, Barbara mentioned to Alison that a few have reported seeing a little blonde boy in that room that they call ‘George’. The team then made their way into the cell block. Lisa talked a bit more about Bernardo, but due to confidentiality and privacy issues, we chose not to record it. As we moved about the cell block Lisa kept seeing the little boy. “I see a little boy in here still,” said Lisa. “Yes, Barbara confirmed it,” said Alison. “He has a gap between his front teeth,” she added. The team then decided to head to the third floor but before we got to the stairwell, Lisa received a message. “I don’t know if this is meant for any of us or the staff, but they want “us” to be careful on the stairs,” she said. “Okay, okay,” replied Barbara. “Just be extra cautious on the stairs please,” said Lisa. “Thank you,” said Barbara. The team made their way up the stairs where both Lisa and Alison ducked at the same time, as if they were about to get hit in the head with something. Both laughed but couldn’t figure out why they had both ducked. Rachel, who was right behind both did not get the same urge to duck and was a little confused as to what was going on.
“So, what was up here?” asked Sean as the team entered the third-floor hallway. “Early years, women and children,” answered Barbara. “Six women in the cells. Children as young as eight,” she added. “I get a headache in here,” said Sheena. “Ask them to take it back,” Lisa said to her. “Wilhelmina? Will? Willa? Something like that,” Lisa then said. “There is a little girl. She is three. Her name is Wilhelmina,” she continued. The team walked around the cell block. “Do you feel the girl?” Lisa asked Sheena. “Yes. I felt her downstairs,” replied Sheena. “She is on the other side,” she added, referring to the other side of the cell block. “Okay, I think I want to go over to the other side,” said Lisa. The team made their way around to the other side of the cell block. “Oh yes, this is the sad lady,” said Lisa. “What’s in the attic?” asked Jay. “There are attic spaces, but you don’t want to go up there,” said Barbara. The team then discussed all the items that the cells and hallways were currently home to and how hard Barbara and the volunteers of the museum have worked over the years to get everything catalogued and researched. “They actually appreciated the work you are doing,” said Lisa. “Aw, thanks,” replied Barbara. As we stood around looking at the graffiti left behind by the last gaol residents in 2003, Lisa began to rub her face. “I have no idea what is going on with my eye,” she said. “I feel like I don’t have my right eye,” she added. “Are you wearing a patch, or it just gone?” asked Rachel. “I don’t know. It’s just got some funky shit going on with it,” replied Lisa. “Like somebody lost their eye,” she added. “Yup. I can’t see out of that eye,” she continued. The team exited the cell block and headed back down the hallway. “When I cam up here, that first door, when I went down and came back around, I seen a black shadow,” said Jay. “It’s a guard,” said Lisa. “It’s actually a guard,” she continued. “Something just rattled downstairs,” said Sheena. The team remained quiet for a few moments, hoping to hear what Sheena had just heard. We then decided to head back downstairs to see if we could find the noise that Sheena had heard. We unfortunately couldn’t find the source, so we decided to prepare our equipment and get ready for our live video.
After gathering the equipment, we headed to the first-floor cell block to begin the investigation. We turned on the live video and away we went. Watch the video below to see what happened!
Once the live video ended, Jay described that the felt like he had to sit alone in each cell in the dark to really get a feel for the place. During the time he sat in the cells he could see things moving about, as well as shadows. “There are some big guys in here,” said Jay. He then described feeling a large dominating presence in the one cell, and that he felt like he was being cornered – which is why he was sitting in the corner, and no one could see him.
The team then took the opportunity to visit the basement. Our first stop was the Indigenous artifacts room. “They say ‘Thank You’ again,” said Lisa. During our first visit, Lisa had picked up on native energy that was grateful and thankful that their artifacts were being taken care of. “Did you just put something in this room recently?” asked Lisa. “Yes,” Barbara answered. “Yes, yes. It’s approved to be in this room,” said Lisa. “Okay,” replied Barbara. “They like it here,” Lisa added. The team moved on to the next room. This room was new to everyone, as we did not visit it during our first visit. “I thought I seen something that said ‘Camp 30’,” said Lisa. “Oh, I did,” said Lisa pointing to the wooden boats on the table. “They were made by prisoners of war, donated through an estate,” said Barbara. Lisa made her way to the centre of the room. “Who gets freaked out in here?” she asked, turning towards Barbara. “Depends, but all of us,” Barbara answered. Barbara then brought out a couple of artifacts for us to look at, and then presented Lisa a empty ring box. “All of a sudden my leg is sore,” said Lisa. Alison scanned the room with the SLS camera, stopping at Lisa. “There is a person at your hand,” she said, noting that the SLS camera was mapping a figure by Lisa. Lisa then began to divulge deeper into the ring box. She noted that its content was potentially stolen by a male volunteer and wound up at a pawn shop. Barbara did note that they felt that the content of the box, a diamond engagement ring, was stolen as they had found the empty ring box stuffed into another box that it would have nothing to do with. Alison noted that the SLS started mapping the figure as soon as the ring box was passed to Lisa. “They are like touching your hands. Can you feel that?” Alison asked Lisa. “It felt like someone touched my hand earlier,” said Rachel. “Oh, we have two of them,” said Alison, noting that a second figure was being mapped by the SLS camera. “Are you trying to help us find out who took the ring?” asked Alison. “Ugh, I can’t breathe,” said Lisa. “They are touching your hand Lisa,” said Alison. “I can feel it. My hand is really warm right now. Very warm,” replied Lisa. Rachel thought that it would be a good time to turn the ghost box on. Immediately a male voice is heard – ‘Andrew’. “Andrew?” questioned Alison. “Do you know who took the ring?” asked Rachel. No response was heard. “Do you feel like someone is touching you, Rachel?” asked Alison. “No,” she replied. “Well, she is touching you,” said Alison. “Are you upset?” asked Rachel. A voice is heard through the ghost box – ‘Very’. “Very,” Rachel repeated. “Oh, I got the chills. Do you know where the ring went?” asked Rachel. No response. “Are you male or female?” she asked next. A voice was heard through the ghost box – ‘Girl’. Alison noted that the SLS camera was still mapping a figure. “Do you know my name?” asked Rachel. A voice was heard through the ghost box – ‘Yeah’. “If you know my name, can you say it?” she asked next. A voice was heard through the ghost box – ‘Nope’. Alison then says that the figure that was mapping of the SLS camera had disappeared. “Oh, and they’re gone,” she said. “They are telling me you think you know who did it,” Lisa said to Barbara. “Not really,” she replied. “They say you will know shortly,” said Lisa. The team then moved out of the room and into the room that was for utilities. Alison noted that SLS camera was mapping another figure at the bottom of the stairs. “How often do they see that airplane swinging?” asked Lisa. “Oh, I don’t know. I have never seen it swing,” answered Barbara. “Can you swing the airplane for us?” asked Alison. “That would be fantastic,” she added. As we watched the small model airplane that was suspended from the ceiling, Alison was scanning the room with the SLS camera. “Oh my god there’s three!” Alison exclaimed. “All of a sudden, I smelled perfume,” said Lisa. “Same. Just thought it was one of you,” added Barbara. Lisa continued to scan the room. “Someone was hit over the head back here,” she said. “Oh, I don’t doubt it,” said Barbara. “There have actually been a couple people murdered in this room because they weren’t seen in here,” said Lisa. “And the middle cage section was all the tools, so lots of weaponry,” added Barbara. “I wouldn’t be surprised if, like, there are stains on the floor from it,” continued Lisa. “I don’t like the feeling down here,” she added as she hastily turned and left the room. The team headed further into the basement, towards the area that was once the kitchen. Barbara show Jay and Sean where the tunnel entrance was and how it was always on the outside of the building. As we rounded the corner, Lisa was still feeling cautious. “I don’t like the energy back here,” she said. Jay agreed. “I got the heebie jeebies back here,” he said. “I just told that to Rachel,” said Lisa. “There is stuff back there,” added Jay. “This was the industrial kitchen, 1982,” said Barbara. “I feel like somebody was hung around here,” said Lisa. “Somebody was hung back there though, for sure,” she continued. “I don’t like the energy back there at all,” she said, avoiding the entire back area. Meanwhile, Rachel had ventured into a side room that was currently home to racks of clothing and old shoes. Lisa joined her shortly after. “Oh wow,” exclaimed Lisa. “My jaw hurts in here,” she added. “A lot of rape happened in here too. A lot,” she continued. “Not surprised,” replied Barbara. “It’s a closed in space, no where to go,” she added. “I got to get out of here,” said Lisa as she turned around and left the room quickly. The team continued to look around the basement for a few more minutes before concluding the investigation and heading back up to the main floor.
The Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives is a fascinating location with so many interesting exhibits and artifacts. Whether it’s an exhibit highlighting local individuals and their contributions, or the exhibits that highlight the old gaol and the criminal justice system, the Museum has taken high respect and consideration to everything that they do. Perhaps you are the visitor that those who still feel like they are incarcerated, are waiting for.
For more information, and to plan your visit, check out their website: oldegaolmuseum.ca
The team then took the opportunity to visit the basement. Our first stop was the Indigenous artifacts room. “They say ‘Thank You’ again,” said Lisa. During our first visit, Lisa had picked up on native energy that was grateful and thankful that their artifacts were being taken care of. “Did you just put something in this room recently?” asked Lisa. “Yes,” Barbara answered. “Yes, yes. It’s approved to be in this room,” said Lisa. “Okay,” replied Barbara. “They like it here,” Lisa added. The team moved on to the next room. This room was new to everyone, as we did not visit it during our first visit. “I thought I seen something that said ‘Camp 30’,” said Lisa. “Oh, I did,” said Lisa pointing to the wooden boats on the table. “They were made by prisoners of war, donated through an estate,” said Barbara. Lisa made her way to the centre of the room. “Who gets freaked out in here?” she asked, turning towards Barbara. “Depends, but all of us,” Barbara answered. Barbara then brought out a couple of artifacts for us to look at, and then presented Lisa a empty ring box. “All of a sudden my leg is sore,” said Lisa. Alison scanned the room with the SLS camera, stopping at Lisa. “There is a person at your hand,” she said, noting that the SLS camera was mapping a figure by Lisa. Lisa then began to divulge deeper into the ring box. She noted that its content was potentially stolen by a male volunteer and wound up at a pawn shop. Barbara did note that they felt that the content of the box, a diamond engagement ring, was stolen as they had found the empty ring box stuffed into another box that it would have nothing to do with. Alison noted that the SLS started mapping the figure as soon as the ring box was passed to Lisa. “They are like touching your hands. Can you feel that?” Alison asked Lisa. “It felt like someone touched my hand earlier,” said Rachel. “Oh, we have two of them,” said Alison, noting that a second figure was being mapped by the SLS camera. “Are you trying to help us find out who took the ring?” asked Alison. “Ugh, I can’t breathe,” said Lisa. “They are touching your hand Lisa,” said Alison. “I can feel it. My hand is really warm right now. Very warm,” replied Lisa. Rachel thought that it would be a good time to turn the ghost box on. Immediately a male voice is heard – ‘Andrew’. “Andrew?” questioned Alison. “Do you know who took the ring?” asked Rachel. No response was heard. “Do you feel like someone is touching you, Rachel?” asked Alison. “No,” she replied. “Well, she is touching you,” said Alison. “Are you upset?” asked Rachel. A voice is heard through the ghost box – ‘Very’. “Very,” Rachel repeated. “Oh, I got the chills. Do you know where the ring went?” asked Rachel. No response. “Are you male or female?” she asked next. A voice was heard through the ghost box – ‘Girl’. Alison noted that the SLS camera was still mapping a figure. “Do you know my name?” asked Rachel. A voice was heard through the ghost box – ‘Yeah’. “If you know my name, can you say it?” she asked next. A voice was heard through the ghost box – ‘Nope’. Alison then says that the figure that was mapping of the SLS camera had disappeared. “Oh, and they’re gone,” she said. “They are telling me you think you know who did it,” Lisa said to Barbara. “Not really,” she replied. “They say you will know shortly,” said Lisa. The team then moved out of the room and into the room that was for utilities. Alison noted that SLS camera was mapping another figure at the bottom of the stairs. “How often do they see that airplane swinging?” asked Lisa. “Oh, I don’t know. I have never seen it swing,” answered Barbara. “Can you swing the airplane for us?” asked Alison. “That would be fantastic,” she added. As we watched the small model airplane that was suspended from the ceiling, Alison was scanning the room with the SLS camera. “Oh my god there’s three!” Alison exclaimed. “All of a sudden, I smelled perfume,” said Lisa. “Same. Just thought it was one of you,” added Barbara. Lisa continued to scan the room. “Someone was hit over the head back here,” she said. “Oh, I don’t doubt it,” said Barbara. “There have actually been a couple people murdered in this room because they weren’t seen in here,” said Lisa. “And the middle cage section was all the tools, so lots of weaponry,” added Barbara. “I wouldn’t be surprised if, like, there are stains on the floor from it,” continued Lisa. “I don’t like the feeling down here,” she added as she hastily turned and left the room. The team headed further into the basement, towards the area that was once the kitchen. Barbara show Jay and Sean where the tunnel entrance was and how it was always on the outside of the building. As we rounded the corner, Lisa was still feeling cautious. “I don’t like the energy back here,” she said. Jay agreed. “I got the heebie jeebies back here,” he said. “I just told that to Rachel,” said Lisa. “There is stuff back there,” added Jay. “This was the industrial kitchen, 1982,” said Barbara. “I feel like somebody was hung around here,” said Lisa. “Somebody was hung back there though, for sure,” she continued. “I don’t like the energy back there at all,” she said, avoiding the entire back area. Meanwhile, Rachel had ventured into a side room that was currently home to racks of clothing and old shoes. Lisa joined her shortly after. “Oh wow,” exclaimed Lisa. “My jaw hurts in here,” she added. “A lot of rape happened in here too. A lot,” she continued. “Not surprised,” replied Barbara. “It’s a closed in space, no where to go,” she added. “I got to get out of here,” said Lisa as she turned around and left the room quickly. The team continued to look around the basement for a few more minutes before concluding the investigation and heading back up to the main floor.
The Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives is a fascinating location with so many interesting exhibits and artifacts. Whether it’s an exhibit highlighting local individuals and their contributions, or the exhibits that highlight the old gaol and the criminal justice system, the Museum has taken high respect and consideration to everything that they do. Perhaps you are the visitor that those who still feel like they are incarcerated, are waiting for.
For more information, and to plan your visit, check out their website: oldegaolmuseum.ca