Old Town Hall Museum
Thamesville, Ont.
July 5, 2025
HISTORY
Named after the Thames River that flows nearby, Thamesville dates back to 1832 when the first post office was established. Thamesville, is nothing more than a quaint town, nestled between Chatham and London. It’s known for its charm and welcoming community. Just outside of Thamesville is the site of a significant War of 1812 battle, where Chief Tecumseh was killed.
On October 5, 1813 what is known as the Battle of the Thames occurred. British troops were encamped at a local farm, while the Native warriors were south of the river and just a few miles downstream. British troops had not eaten for at least 24 hours and were in a miserable mood. They were forced to march four and a half miles to make a stand against the Americans. A couple of miles downstream they were met with the news that the Americans were upon them and they had to prepare for battle. At this point there were about 500 British troops and 500 warriors under Chief Tecumseh. The British troops lay in wait in the cold and rain for almost three hours before the Americans appeared. As this happened, the American’s spotted the British and the battle was underway. British troops fired a single round, and then quickly broke ranks and fled the battle. This left Chief Tecumseh and his warriors on their own to defend themselves and the cause. The warriors inflicted many casualties, but about 45 minutes into the battle, Chief Tecumseh was dead. The warriors lost heart and retreated, giving way for the Americans.
Named after the Thames River that flows nearby, Thamesville dates back to 1832 when the first post office was established. Thamesville, is nothing more than a quaint town, nestled between Chatham and London. It’s known for its charm and welcoming community. Just outside of Thamesville is the site of a significant War of 1812 battle, where Chief Tecumseh was killed.
On October 5, 1813 what is known as the Battle of the Thames occurred. British troops were encamped at a local farm, while the Native warriors were south of the river and just a few miles downstream. British troops had not eaten for at least 24 hours and were in a miserable mood. They were forced to march four and a half miles to make a stand against the Americans. A couple of miles downstream they were met with the news that the Americans were upon them and they had to prepare for battle. At this point there were about 500 British troops and 500 warriors under Chief Tecumseh. The British troops lay in wait in the cold and rain for almost three hours before the Americans appeared. As this happened, the American’s spotted the British and the battle was underway. British troops fired a single round, and then quickly broke ranks and fled the battle. This left Chief Tecumseh and his warriors on their own to defend themselves and the cause. The warriors inflicted many casualties, but about 45 minutes into the battle, Chief Tecumseh was dead. The warriors lost heart and retreated, giving way for the Americans.
Thamesville also played a role in the underground railroad. Chatham-Kent served as the Northern terminus for those fleeing slavery in the south. Many would stop here along their quest for freedom.
Thamesville Town Hall was first conducted in a log cabin in 1869. In 1875 a large, frame building was built. This building also housed a fire engine. In 1890 a brick version of this building was constructed, but sadly it was destroyed by fire in 1911. That same year, a new Town Hall building was constructed. This is the building that still stands today. In its early years, not only did it house the mayor’s office, the reeves and council offices, it was also a one room school house and Jail. The second floor offered enough space to hold class for a number of students. When the location served as a jail, holding cells could be found in the basement.
Today the Town Hall is home to the Thamesville Public Library and the Old Town Hall Museum.
Check out the Thamesville Facebook page for up to date information on the Museum and other events happening in the Town: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2259391241
Thamesville Town Hall was first conducted in a log cabin in 1869. In 1875 a large, frame building was built. This building also housed a fire engine. In 1890 a brick version of this building was constructed, but sadly it was destroyed by fire in 1911. That same year, a new Town Hall building was constructed. This is the building that still stands today. In its early years, not only did it house the mayor’s office, the reeves and council offices, it was also a one room school house and Jail. The second floor offered enough space to hold class for a number of students. When the location served as a jail, holding cells could be found in the basement.
Today the Town Hall is home to the Thamesville Public Library and the Old Town Hall Museum.
Check out the Thamesville Facebook page for up to date information on the Museum and other events happening in the Town: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2259391241
RACHEL'S THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCES
INITIAL THOUGHTS:
When we first arrived into Thamesville, I was quite shocked to see how close the location was to where we had stopped on our way through the town a couple years prior. I was more shocked at how I didn’t notice it back then. The location and the town have a history and a lot of stories to share, and I definitely wanted to uncover them. These quaint little towns usually have one or two really good stories that have been lost to time. The Old Town Hall was a meeting place and a location that you would think would collect all those stories and items.
The building itself is a lot smaller than you think it is. There was also a lot of useable space. The first floor contained a small public library, while the second floor housed the museum. The museum was a large room, that housed a variety of different artifacts and pictures from the town. Each corner was dedicated to something – a former school, military, local figures, etc. The artifact collection was quite unique too – there was everything from shoes, plates, furniture, and even Nazi “souvenirs” from WWII. While the military artifacts drew me in, the large miniature of the town of Thamesville really showed what it was like in during the 1940s. The gentleman who constructed this miniature clearly had a love of history and wanted to preserve his memories of a simpler time. It was incredible to see.
We got to visit the basement of the building. For me, it was just a basement. Nothing felt concerning to me or spooky. There as a bit of a vibe that there was something or someone that liked to hide down there, but nothing to be worried about.
INVESTIGATION THOUGHTS:
We started our investigation in the museum portion, on the second floor. We got some interesting responses on the Spirit Talker that pertained to the building, some of the artifacts and the town itself. The REM box did activate on one of the school desks, but we determined that it was a malfunction of the device. The paranormal music box also activated a few times. It was facing away from everyone, towards the military artifacts. We tired to recreate the activity. Sometimes we could and sometimes we couldn’t. Therefore, we couldn’t be certain if it was paranormal or not. During communication sessions, there were no identifying responses to say who we were communicating with.
Our investigation of the basement was done during the LIVE on location broadcast on Facebook. We had some strange EMF show on our K2 meter, that was leaning up against a bucket on a shelf – no where near anything that would give off any time of EMF. The dead bell also activated once. Jodie used her dowsing rods and appears to have come into contact with a small child. But, just like in the museum, any communication sessions we attempted, left us wondering who we may be talking to.
We returned to the second-floor museum to conduct an Estes method session. Jay went under and we continued to ask questions. During this session we received some type of confirmation that we were communicating with individuals from the land – more specifically the indigenous population. When I questioned if it was Tecumseh, Jay indicated that it was. There was more communication about military and war – now I am unsure if this had to do with the War of 1812 or with someone connected to a military artifact that was now on display. This Estes Method was a proven success; however, we still didn’t have a definitive answer on who was actually communicating with us.
AFTER THOUGHTS:
All in all, our investigation of the Old Town Hall Museum in Thamesville was good. Without a lot of prior knowledge, the team was able to put a few things together –
The second floor still has residual energy from when it was a school and the basement still has residual energy from when it had jail holding cells. There are also a few lingering energies. Now we could not figure out if these energies were from the land, the building or the artifacts. This was due to us not being able to get any clear communication during our investigation. What we can say is that whomever was there with us was very intrigued and curious as to what we were doing.
Do I believe that the Old Town Hall Museum in Thamesville is haunted – maybe. There were enough intelligent and residual responses to make me believe that there is something there.
INITIAL THOUGHTS:
When we first arrived into Thamesville, I was quite shocked to see how close the location was to where we had stopped on our way through the town a couple years prior. I was more shocked at how I didn’t notice it back then. The location and the town have a history and a lot of stories to share, and I definitely wanted to uncover them. These quaint little towns usually have one or two really good stories that have been lost to time. The Old Town Hall was a meeting place and a location that you would think would collect all those stories and items.
The building itself is a lot smaller than you think it is. There was also a lot of useable space. The first floor contained a small public library, while the second floor housed the museum. The museum was a large room, that housed a variety of different artifacts and pictures from the town. Each corner was dedicated to something – a former school, military, local figures, etc. The artifact collection was quite unique too – there was everything from shoes, plates, furniture, and even Nazi “souvenirs” from WWII. While the military artifacts drew me in, the large miniature of the town of Thamesville really showed what it was like in during the 1940s. The gentleman who constructed this miniature clearly had a love of history and wanted to preserve his memories of a simpler time. It was incredible to see.
We got to visit the basement of the building. For me, it was just a basement. Nothing felt concerning to me or spooky. There as a bit of a vibe that there was something or someone that liked to hide down there, but nothing to be worried about.
INVESTIGATION THOUGHTS:
We started our investigation in the museum portion, on the second floor. We got some interesting responses on the Spirit Talker that pertained to the building, some of the artifacts and the town itself. The REM box did activate on one of the school desks, but we determined that it was a malfunction of the device. The paranormal music box also activated a few times. It was facing away from everyone, towards the military artifacts. We tired to recreate the activity. Sometimes we could and sometimes we couldn’t. Therefore, we couldn’t be certain if it was paranormal or not. During communication sessions, there were no identifying responses to say who we were communicating with.
Our investigation of the basement was done during the LIVE on location broadcast on Facebook. We had some strange EMF show on our K2 meter, that was leaning up against a bucket on a shelf – no where near anything that would give off any time of EMF. The dead bell also activated once. Jodie used her dowsing rods and appears to have come into contact with a small child. But, just like in the museum, any communication sessions we attempted, left us wondering who we may be talking to.
We returned to the second-floor museum to conduct an Estes method session. Jay went under and we continued to ask questions. During this session we received some type of confirmation that we were communicating with individuals from the land – more specifically the indigenous population. When I questioned if it was Tecumseh, Jay indicated that it was. There was more communication about military and war – now I am unsure if this had to do with the War of 1812 or with someone connected to a military artifact that was now on display. This Estes Method was a proven success; however, we still didn’t have a definitive answer on who was actually communicating with us.
AFTER THOUGHTS:
All in all, our investigation of the Old Town Hall Museum in Thamesville was good. Without a lot of prior knowledge, the team was able to put a few things together –
The second floor still has residual energy from when it was a school and the basement still has residual energy from when it had jail holding cells. There are also a few lingering energies. Now we could not figure out if these energies were from the land, the building or the artifacts. This was due to us not being able to get any clear communication during our investigation. What we can say is that whomever was there with us was very intrigued and curious as to what we were doing.
Do I believe that the Old Town Hall Museum in Thamesville is haunted – maybe. There were enough intelligent and residual responses to make me believe that there is something there.
JODIE’S EXPERIENCE
Upon first laying eyes on Thamesville Old Town Hall Museum, I thought it was beautiful and inviting and couldn't wait to see inside.
Upon entering, I was in awe of the history that was so prevalent in the architecture and atmosphere.
There are so many incredible artifacts there from such a long time ago.
We had a wonderful conversation with Chris, a lovely woman who works at the museum in her spare time, and we really enjoyed hearing her stories.
When she left us alone to begin the investigation, we set up and waited patiently.
It didn't take long before we had REM Pod action, flashlight action and even the music box played on its own numerous times
.
But the Estes method was what sealed the deal for me. Whoever was speaking to us, was answering a lot of our questions when we asked. I believe, at times, it was Chief Tecumseh.
We visited the basement, as well as the upstairs, and were successful at communicating with someone on the rods, who we believe was a little boy. The K2, however, proved to be their favourite device, which they seemed to enjoy interacting with.
I had a fantastic time visiting this location and hope to return. The entire experience was more than I was expecting but I'm very thankful to have been a part of it. Thanks for having us.
Upon first laying eyes on Thamesville Old Town Hall Museum, I thought it was beautiful and inviting and couldn't wait to see inside.
Upon entering, I was in awe of the history that was so prevalent in the architecture and atmosphere.
There are so many incredible artifacts there from such a long time ago.
We had a wonderful conversation with Chris, a lovely woman who works at the museum in her spare time, and we really enjoyed hearing her stories.
When she left us alone to begin the investigation, we set up and waited patiently.
It didn't take long before we had REM Pod action, flashlight action and even the music box played on its own numerous times
.
But the Estes method was what sealed the deal for me. Whoever was speaking to us, was answering a lot of our questions when we asked. I believe, at times, it was Chief Tecumseh.
We visited the basement, as well as the upstairs, and were successful at communicating with someone on the rods, who we believe was a little boy. The K2, however, proved to be their favourite device, which they seemed to enjoy interacting with.
I had a fantastic time visiting this location and hope to return. The entire experience was more than I was expecting but I'm very thankful to have been a part of it. Thanks for having us.
SPIRIT TALKER WORDS/PHRASES
|
ABANDONMENT
THEY LEFT ME THERE’S BAD ENERGY HUNGRY MALICE BIG THE RUMOURS ARE FALSE ELMER VIOLET CAN YOU FEEL ME EIGHTEEN PLEASE DON’T STOP HOSPITAL FIVE TERROR CANDLE SHUSH BOBBY GET OUT OF HERE HUSBAND HARRY I’M AT PEACE CONNECTION LOVE |
PASSED
ELEVEN YEAH NORA HAZEL PLEASE GO RIGHT DO YOU FEEL ME BAD SPIRIT ADAM WE CAN SEE YOU ALL HEAR MY FOOTSTEPS TOY ENERGY CLARK I LIKE THE WOODS MILITARY CONSTRUCT LET’S BE FRIENDS TRAGEDY |
Have you ever been to the Old Town Hall Museum in Thamesville? We'd love to know your experience. Email your stories, comments and/or questions to [email protected]