lynde house museum
whitby, ont.
​may 24, 2025

“I can still hear those animatronics in my head,” Rachel said to Jay as they sat in the parking lot, the big Yellow house looming over them.  “It’s been how many years?” Rachel questioned.  Jay couldn’t remember either, but it was a considerable amount of time.  Soon Kaz, Cathy and Alison would arrive.  The team gathered the equipment and headed into the General Store portion of the location to meet up with our hosts for the evening.  The team had officially begun their investigation of the Lynde House Museum.

Noted as the oldest house in Durham Region, The Lynde House was built in/about 1811 and was once located on 200 acres beside Lynde Creek on Dundas Street in Whitby.  The Lynde family was one of the first settlers in the area and soon would outgrown their original log cabin.  This was when the new house was constructed.  Jabez Lynde and his wife, Clarissa, would live in this house with their eight children – Sylvester, Hawkins, Clarissa, Louisa, Carleton, Araminta, Warner, and Elmina.  During the War of 1812, Jabez and Clarissa would open their home as an inn, tavern and supply depot.  This is where British Militia, First Nations Militia and citizens could secure supplies on the way to battle in Niagara.  This is where the wounded would also return too for assistance, which was then provided by two Doctors.  In order to accommodate this, Clarissa recruited help from neighbouring woman to cook and nurse the wounded.  Members of the Lynde family would live in the house until 1893.  The youngest child, Elmina, as the last surviving family member would leave the house to the All Saints’ Anglican Church upon her death in 1893.  Two years later the Church would sell off the house and 60 acres and the home would become a private residence. Another 40 acres were sold to another individual.  In the 1930s a Mushroom farm was began behind the house, and in the late 1930s the house was rented out to farm labourers.  In late 1939, the house was once again sold, but this time it was divided into three separate apartments – this conversion required alteration to the house to be made.  In 1968 the rear wing was destroyed by fire, and was demolished in 1969.  In 1972 the house was donated to the Whitby Historical Society, who opened the house as a museum.  In 1986, the process to move the house to a new location began. This new location was a new attraction in the area known as Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village.  The house would be placed between the gift shop and restaurant, where it was restored to an 1855 vintage house with period furnishing.  Animatronics were also added, depicting a life-like atmosphere.  Sadly, Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village for close their doors for good on January 1, 2006.  With this closure, the Lynde House’s future remained unknown.  In December 2013 the Lynde House would make its final trip through the town of Whitby to its final resting place – Brock Street South.  It wouldn’t be until 2015 that the Lynde House would reopen as a Museum, but since then it has provide numerous tours and events to locals and tourist alike.

​The team entered the Lynde house through the back door.  Immediately, memories of touring the building came flooding back to Rachel.  It was a hit of nostalgia that brought her back to her childhood and memories of spending time at the location with her grandparents.  It was a comfortable, welcoming feeling.  At the same time, the sheer opulence and grandiose of the house was breathtaking.  The team placed the equipment cases in the front entrance way and gathered equipment to place about the house.  Once the equipment was unpacked and ready to go, the team began a quick tour of the rooms.  As soon as they ascended to the second floor, they were immediately drawn to the room on the left.  “What room would you say is the most active, or has had the most reported experiences in?” Rachel asked the museum host, as she stood in the doorway of the room.  “This one,” she replied, referring to the one that Rachel and Kaz were standing in.  It was immediately decided that a few pieces of equipment would be placed in the room, with the one of the REM boxes being one of them.  As if finally having a way to communicate, the REM box immediately began to activate.  Kaz and Rachel began asking questions, while the REM box seemed to activate intelligently.  Things were happening, but the team had not had the chance to get any cameras or audio to record at that time.  With the promise to return to the room shortly, the team made their way throughout the rooms, marveling in each layout and the artifacts on display, while placing equipment strategically about.  With everything placed, Rachel grabbed the camera and audio recorder while Jay turned on the SLS camera.  Within minutes, everything was rolling – but all seemed to be quiet.  With the first floor in silence, the team once again headed to the second floor, only to congregate in the room at the top of the stairs to the left.  Jay had passed the SLS camera to Cathy, who was now standing just inside the room.  Rachel and Kaz were both in the room with her, while Jay and Alison were making their way through the other bedrooms and into the Master Bedroom.  The Spirit Talker spoke – ‘It’s nice to talk again’.  “It’s nice to hear your voice,” replied Alison.  The Spirit Talker spoke again, ‘He killed us’, ‘Problem’, ‘They killed him’.  “Well, we are close to the Courthouse,” said Alison.  These three statements from the Spirit Talker seemed to be referencing something from up the street, but it may have also been reference something from the War of 1812 or something else.  As the team was trying to sort through these and figure out the who and the what, Cathy noticed that the SLS camera was mapping a figure.  “Oh Ya! They are sitting in the chair,” stated Rachel.  “Are they crossing their legs?” asked Cathy as it looked like the figure was sitting cross-legged, patiently waiting for us.  “Can you wave hello, like I’m waving?” asked Cathy, as she waved towards the chair.  “We’re happy you are here with us.  Thank you for your time,” she said.  The Spirit Talker spoke – ‘We are friendly’.  “Aw, well thank you.  We are too, actually,” replied Cathy.  “I’m getting a man,” said Jay as he made his way from the Master bedroom into the room. “I can’t see his face though.  But I see a gold chain for like a pocket watch, with a design and inscription”, he continued to describe.  The second Jay stepped foot into the room, the figure on the SLS camera jumped out of the chair and got extremely large, before disappearing.  “WHOA!” exclaimed Rachel very loudly.  “Are you getting upset that there are too many people in here?” asked Cathy.  “Do you not like it when Jay is in here?” she asked.  “It got all riled up when he walked in.  Did you notice that?” she asked Rachel.  Rachel agreed.  The second Jay had stepped foot into the room, the figure appeared agitated and disappeared.  “Are you more comfortable with the females in here” asked Cathy.  The Spirit Talker spoke – ‘Major’.  “Where you a Major?” she asked next.  No response.  “There is a lot of War of 1812 history,” added Rachel.  “Are you from the War of 1812?” asked Cathy.  Again, no answer.  The room seemed to grow quiet.  “Where did you go?” questioned Kaz.  The Spirit Talk spoke – ‘Nancy’.  “Hello Nancy,” greeted Kaz.  “Can you touch the Bell for us?” asked Cathy.  The SLS then began mapping a figure sitting in chair again.  “You can literally see them sitting with the bends in its legs,” described Rachel.  As Rachel, Cathy and Kaz are watching the screen a second, smaller figure begins to map.  “Do you see that? There is two,” said Cathy.  “What’s happening?  It’s a little one now,” added Kaz.  The Spirit Talker spoke – ‘Natalie’.  “Natalie?” questioned Rachel.  “Where you kicking the gentleman on the chair so you could come sit with us?” asked Cathy. No response.  “Could you make the bell go off again and light the lights up for us?  It was so good before.  We loved it,” said Kaz.  The Spirit Talker spoke – ‘How do we work it’.  “Oh, you just touch it.  Let me show you,” said Kaz.  As she was about to demonstrate the equipment, the Ovilus 5 was heard – ‘No’.  “Did it say ‘no’?” Cathy questioned.  The Ovilus 5 spoke again – ‘Human’.  “It said ‘No Human’,” laughed Rachel.  The Spirit Talker spoke – ‘Using my voice’.  “I think I’m going to go to the parents room.  You want to follow me in there?  You’re welcome to,” said Cathy.  With Cathy about to move, Kaz thought it would be a good idea to try and engage the figure who was sitting in the chair.  “If I go over there, will you give me a high five?” asked Kaz, as she moved to the side of the chair.  “Oh, Kaz would love that.  Can you do that and high five her hand?” added Cathy.  “Oh, it’s trying!” said Rachel as she monitored the SLS camera screen.  “Oh, there you go,” Cathy said as it looked like the figure had, in fact, given Kaz a high five.  “Oh, there is another one behind you,” said Rachel, as a second figure began mapping on the SLS Camera.  “Feels like my right pocket.  Something is touching my right pocket,” described Kaz.  “Yes, they are right there,” said Rachel.  “I can feel like they are putting their hands in it,” Kaz continued.  “I don’t think she has anything in her pocket to play with,” said Cathy.  Kaz agreed.  “Can you go up to Kaz again and touch her hand? She doesn’t mind,” asked Cathy.  “Don’t be shy,” she added.  “This is fun!  Thank you,” said Kaz.  “Where you the one pulling on Kaz’s pants pocket?” asked Cathy.  No response.  “I think you like us being in the room, hanging out with you,” Cathy stated.  Rachel then noticed that the figure on the SLS camera appeared to be attempting to kick at Kaz.  “Are you kicking me? Or are we dancing?” she asked.  But the figure seemed to stop.  “Whoever rang the bell before and made the lights go off, can you do that again please?” asked Kaz.  Everything remained quiet.  Kaz grabbed a sensor ball from Rachel and set it on the chair that the figure was mapped on.  “I’m going to put this here for you,” she said as she set it down and stepped back.  The SLS camera began mapping the same figure, sitting in the chair.  However, the sensor ball remained inactive.  Rachel thought it was a good time to attempted a ghost box session.  The device was turned on and the communication session began. 

“Can you tell us your name?  You said you were going to use your voice,” said Kaz. Although it was not heard at the time, upon review a female voice is head through the ghost box – ‘Maria’.  “Can you say your name again please?” asked Cathy.  An old, female voice was heard through the ghost box – ‘Hello’.  “That was an old lady saying Hello,” stated Rachel.  “Hi!” greeted Kaz.  “Are there any Lynde family members?” she continued.  It was at this time that the ghost box made a weird noise that caught everyone off guard.  “Who’s sitting in the chair right now?  Can you tell us your name please?” asked Rachel. No response.  “Are you male or female sitting in the chair?” asked Cathy. “Are you the man of the house?” she added.  A female voice was then heard, laughing, through the ghost box.  “Did you hear that laugh?” asked Cathy.  The team chuckled as it was now clear that it was a woman who ran this house.  “Clarissa, are you here?” asked Kaz.  No response.  “Is there a room in the house you would like us to go to?” she asked next. Again, no response.  Feeling like we needed to move locations, the team headed in the Master Bedroom, in an attempt to communicate in there.  “Who’s here?” asked Kaz.  A voice was heard through the ghost box – ‘His room’.  “Whose room is this?” asked Rachel.  No response.  “Would you be able to make the rocking chair rock for us please?” asked Kaz.  “Go for a big spin in it,” she added.  The chair remained still.  “Whose room was this?” Kaz then asked.  A voice was heard through the ghost box – ‘Mine’.  “Yours.  What’s your name?” she asked.  No response.  “Who’s in here with us right now?” asked Rachel.  “Can you tell us your first name please?” she continued.  No response.  “I have a really weird pain on the left side of my shoulder,” Kaz stated.  But just as quick as it was there, it was gone. Could this have to do with an injury sustained during the War of 1812?  “How many Lynde family members are still here or with us?” asked Rachel.  A voice was heard through the ghost box – ‘Four or five’.  “Oh, that’s a lot,” replied Rachel.  “Can we get their names please?” she asked next.  No response.  It was then noticed that equipment and cameras were beginning to drain.  “It’s weird.  This whole place is draining batteries,” said Kaz, noting that she needs to head to her bag very soon to gather more batteries.  “Whose suit is on the edge of the bed?” she asked, as she turned her device off.  A voice was heard through the ghost box – ‘Old Man _____’ (the last word is hard to hear, even on the audio recording).  “Who hangs out here at the top of the stairs?” asked Cathy.  Rachel was sure that she could hear the word ‘Girl’ coming through the ghost box multiple times.  “I had envisioned kids sitting at the top of the stairs,” said Alison.  “The ghost box said listen and that is what they were doing.  Eavesdropping,” she continued.  “Are you a little boy?” asked Cathy.  A voice was heard through the ghost box – ‘I am’.  “You are?” quizzed Cathy.  “What’s your name?” asked Kaz.  A voice was heard through the ghost box but no one could make out what it said.  “Can you tell us your name again?” she asked.  As the team listened for a response from the Ghost box, the Dead bell, that was located in the front room downstairs activated.  With this activating, Kaz went headed downstairs to investigate.  Cathy was picking up a feeling that it was a little boy who was playing with the equipment.  “There is a little girl too,” added Alison.  “I’m wondering if you’re possibly picking up on a Lynde family member who came back at an age, they were the happiest,” said Rachel.  After a few moments, the REM Box activated.  “That was amazing. Thank you!” said Alison.  The team headed back towards the room at the top of the stairs. “Can you do that again for us?  We are just about to go downstairs?” she asked.  Just like that, the REM box activated again.  “Thank you so much.  Wow! You learned to use that pretty quick,” laughed Alison.  “You want to touch the little balls that are there?  They will light up.  It’ll be fun,” said Cathy.  “And they are easy too,” added Alison.  “Or you could push them off,” Rachel added. “Roll them across the floor. Something to play with,” said Cathy.  The REM box activated again.  “Thank you so much! That’s awesome,” Alison said loudly.  Kaz had returned to the second floor as nothing seemed to be out of sorts on the main level.  “Are you still here?” she asked.  “If you are, can you make it light up again, please?” she questioned.  All was quiet.  “Where did you go?” she asked.  The REM box activate.  “Oh, right here,” laughed Alison.  “I’d like to know who it is,” said Rachel.  “You’re here!  We are happy you’re here,” said Kaz.  The REM box and the K2 meter activated.  “Hi!” greeted Kaz.  The Ovilus 5 spoke – ‘Push’, ‘Little’, ‘Necessary’.  “A little push is necessary,” laughed Rachel.  “Are you pushing Alison out there?” asked Kaz.  No response.  Rachel then noted how it was quite interesting how they kept coming back to this room, without even realizing it.  “It’s active,” said Alison.  “Are you still in the room with us?” asked Kaz.  “Do you want us to stand her and watch you, in a non-creepy way?” she jokingly laughed.  No response.  “We gotta check out more of the house,” she added.  “Can you give us one more light up before we have to go check out the other room?” she continued.  “Or make a noise in a room that you would like us to go to?” asked Rachel. Nothing was heard. At this point Kaz was feeling like something, or someone, was leaning against her leg.  Rachel also noted that she felt a cool breeze around her lower body.  The REM box activated.  It was at this point that an EVP was captured.  This is a Class ‘C’ EVP – we can hear that it’s a male voice, but its hard to distinguish what it is saying.  “You want us to stay up here?” asked Cathy.  “Oh, my leg is actually cold,” stated Rachel “Are you the ones touching our legs?  Its okay,” said Kaz.  No responses were heard or captured and the equipment remained silent.  It was decided to head to the main level and prepare for our Live on Location video.

​Back on the main level, the team decided that it was a good time to do a Live on Location video.  With a quick prep, the team as ready to go and hit Live.  Watch the video below to see what happened!

​After the live video, Rachel wanted to attempt an Estes session.  Sitting in the Parlour room she placed the headphones and blind fold on and began.  Check out the video below of her Estes Method Session.

With our investigation now winding down, we gathered our equipment and began the task of packing up. As the team packed the equipment away in its cases, it felt as if the house was sad to see us go, but happy that we visited.  There was still a warm and welcome feeling, as if the house was excited that we would one day return. As the team excited the back door, we made sure to thank the house and its ghostly inhabitants for allowing us to investigate and hear its stories. “Don’t worry, we will come back again,” said Rachel as she was leaving.  With the door now closed and locked, the investigation had concluded.
 
Is the Lynde House Museum haunted?  We believe it is.  As for what type of haunting – we think there is both intelligent and residual there. The second-floor bedroom (top of the stairs, to the left) is the most active room in the entire house. The reason for this, is unknown to us – but it is one we would love to uncover!  The house has had plenty of energy imprints throughout its many years of existence, which is why there is the possibility of a residual haunting present.  Who is haunting the Lynde House?  Well that’s a great question.  We didn’t get enough consistent answers to determine the who.  But it makes us want to return to find out!
 
Visiting the Lynde House Museum should a bucket list item for all of those who like in Durham Region.  The historic value that the museum brings to the community, and the stories that are shared during visits are irreplaceable and are insightful. For more information, or to plan your visit, check out their website:  https://www.lyndehousemuseum.com

ovilus 5 words

​GIVE
NO
TESLA
SYNN
JANUARY
BRITISH
TEMPERATURE
OK
ABOVE
SEVERAL
DIVES
PLACEBO
OI
JERK
RISE
BEER
WORLD
MYSELF
UNHOLY
MIKE
DROP
TIM
WED
H
SLIGHT
PARTY
EARS
LEDGE
NEVER
COW
VARIOUS
PEOPLE
LONG
LORD
PREACHER
BUILDING
SUBJECT
KNOWN
RAID
EIGHTY
FAMOUS
I
YELL
NAIL

​PUSHED
LITTLE
NECESSARY
PATTERN
CUBE
POSSIBLY
HEAT
BEWARE
MONTH
GRAVE
MIKE
NORTHERN
FAR
MAYBE
AROUND
BIRDS
RACE
BISHOP
EVENING
DASH
STATEMENT
CAKE
DRESS
ONLY
JOKE
CONTRITION
DWINDLE
OFTEN
DRUNK
HEAD
SAD
MONITOR
BEG
AKASHA
MASTER
TROOP
HOLD
RELEASE
AIM
DISTRUB
THROUGH
HURT
GARDEN
GAG
CREEK
BEFORE TIME

​STUDENTS
FAMOUS
EIGHTY
WENT
I
INCHES
CALL
AREA
ASHES
9
BEER
CHURCH
WORLD
YANK
ANGRY
CAMREA
UPON
REMOVE
PAINT
PURIFIED
FIST
PUSHED
VALUE
SHOULDER
PALACE
WOUND
CANNON
AMBITION
HALO
WARM
BANK
EDISON
AS
BACON
AND
JOG
IDA
RING
LASTING
HEALER
CHILDREN
ATTITUDE
IDLE
INSIDE
PERIOD
WAGON

​DAY
PRAY
KNOT
BRIGHT
HEAD
BAND
SCIENCE
SAD
RASTER
LITTLE
MOTHER
EQUATION
RELIGION
KNOWN

Spirit talker Words/Phrases

​SAFE
SO MUCH HEARTACHE
YOU ARE IMPORTANT
CAN YOU FIND MY GRAVE
I’LL PROVE I’M HERE
WE
SEAT
THE LADY ATTACKS PEOPLE
MANY OTHER SOULS
I WILL FLASH THE LIGHTS
FRANCES
I WORKED HERE
MEDICINE
HORRIBLE THINGS HAPPENED HERE
YOU ARE ENOUGH
THIS IS INCREDIBLE
ABIGAIL
I SCARE PEOPLE
HIDING
ANOMALY
RIGHT
MY LIFE ENDED FAST
MY NAME IS ANNA
EAT SHIT!
PANIC
DARK
JESSICA
FEELING
​​​DON’T ANTAGONISE
I’M IN THE TREES
HERE?

SHOULD BE SCARED
ELIJAH
YOU MATTER
ABANDONED
BATHROOM
HOW CAN WE HELP
I’M WITH MY PARENTS
TRUST ME
NINE
I CAN’T PROTECT YOU
I’M IN THE SHADOWS
GABRIEL
IT’S NICE TO TALK AGAIN
TORMENT
HE KILLED US
PROBLEM
THEY KILLED HIM
YOU ARE RESOURCEFUL
NO I WON’T
REGINA
I’M VERY FRIENDLY
MAJOR
NANCY
YOU ARE LOVED
MINE
NATALIE
HOW DO WE WORK IT
HUMAN
USING MY VOICE