Wellington County Museum & Archives
Fergus, Ont.
January 27, 2024
**DISCLAIMER – Throughout this story we will be sharing the stories of some of the inmates of the facility. There may be trigger words and other describing words that are no longer used today as they are politically incorrect and demeaning. There will also be mentions of sexual and physical assault. Reader discretion is advised**
“Wow, that building is so interesting,” Alison said, looking at an old Church, as the team drove through downtown Fergus, Ontario. “There is a lot of history in this place,” add Rachel. Soon, the little downtown area began to fade into the background as they made their way towards the location that they would be investigating that evening. Off in the distance, Rachel could see the building. Its large stature stood out, as it sat a top a hill. It had a presence, even from a distance. A dominance so to say. As the team rounded a corner in the road, Rachel pointed to her right. “There is the cemetery,” she said, pointing to a group of trees, with a memorial stone and a few plaques. “There are at least 271 people buried there,” she added. It was quite astonishing to think of, but the shock turned to awe as the team pulled into the driveway. The building seemed to grow bigger and bigger as they made their way closer. “Is this what it felt like back in the day when people were brought here?”, Rachel thought as they pulled into the parking spot. It was time to find out. The team had arrived and the investigation began.
Joseph Benson – Inmate #1 |
Built in 1877, the Wellington House of Industry and Refuge would be home to thousands of people seeking help and assistance. It operated as a Poor House and Industrial Farm until 1947, when it changed name and became the County Home for the Aged. Closing in 1971, the Wellington County Museum and Archives would then acquire the building and turn it into the Museum it is today. The building is a National Historic Site, and is the oldest remaining rural House of Industry and Refuge in Canada. Located at the edge of the property was a one-acre cemetery. This is where men, women and children who had no family to claim their remains, where buried. Inmates of the House ranged in ages and genders. There were many reasons to be sent to the House – unemployment, disability (physical, mental, learning), mental health, abandonment, old age, and health. These inmates were bound by strict rules. They weren’t allowed off the property with out permission. Visitations were capped at once a week. Men and women were not allowed to be together and were kept at opposite ends of the building, even if they were a married couple.
The House of Refuge and Industry would employ a Keeper and Matron. The Keeper and the Matron, as well as their family, would live in the building. The Keeper was responsible for the male inmates, running the farm, and the daily management of the institution. The Matron was responsible for the female inmates, as well as any children, and the domestic chores. The first Keeper and Matron of the House was Adam and Jane Parker. The Parkers were a local couple that were selected from a list of applicants to serve. They were not very likeable as the Keeper and Matron. Several inmates absconded (ran away) during their tenure. Most of them being female. With all of the accusations surrounding them, the Parkers relinquished their positions in 1884 to the new Keeper and Matron – William and Margaret Griffin. The Griffin’s were well liked and served in their roles until 1919. David and Christina Allan would serve as the next Keeper and Matron from 1919 until 1928. Just like the Griffin’s, the Allan’s were well liked in their roles. In 1929, William and Ethel Howes would take over the roles. They would be Keeper and Matron until the building was converted to the Home for the Aged in 1947. Unlike the Griffins and the Allan’s, the Howes were not favoured in their positions. Like all inmates, no one wanted to wake up one day and go to the House of Refuge and Industry. Some were only there for a few hours, some a few weeks. Others were there for months. A few were lifetime inmates. Children who were brought in, either with their mother or alone, we often times adopted out as quickly as possible. No matter what the case, becoming an inmate at the House of Industry and Refuge was much better than being an inmate at the jail.
The House of Refuge and Industry would employ a Keeper and Matron. The Keeper and the Matron, as well as their family, would live in the building. The Keeper was responsible for the male inmates, running the farm, and the daily management of the institution. The Matron was responsible for the female inmates, as well as any children, and the domestic chores. The first Keeper and Matron of the House was Adam and Jane Parker. The Parkers were a local couple that were selected from a list of applicants to serve. They were not very likeable as the Keeper and Matron. Several inmates absconded (ran away) during their tenure. Most of them being female. With all of the accusations surrounding them, the Parkers relinquished their positions in 1884 to the new Keeper and Matron – William and Margaret Griffin. The Griffin’s were well liked and served in their roles until 1919. David and Christina Allan would serve as the next Keeper and Matron from 1919 until 1928. Just like the Griffin’s, the Allan’s were well liked in their roles. In 1929, William and Ethel Howes would take over the roles. They would be Keeper and Matron until the building was converted to the Home for the Aged in 1947. Unlike the Griffins and the Allan’s, the Howes were not favoured in their positions. Like all inmates, no one wanted to wake up one day and go to the House of Refuge and Industry. Some were only there for a few hours, some a few weeks. Others were there for months. A few were lifetime inmates. Children who were brought in, either with their mother or alone, we often times adopted out as quickly as possible. No matter what the case, becoming an inmate at the House of Industry and Refuge was much better than being an inmate at the jail.
We were greeted by our host for the evening, Serena. She welcomed us to the Museum and we set out right away for a tour of the building. We set up base in the meeting room area and chatted about what type of paranormal activity had been experienced in the building. Serena informed us that there had been the sound of footsteps and voices heard throughout, as well as apparitions seen and EVPs captured. We headed out of the meeting room and towards the museum. “I have anxiety now,” said Alison as we made our way towards the door. “There’s an energy here right now,” she added. “Have you heard rumors of bodies buried about, all over the property?” Alison asked Serena. “We do have a cemetery. 271 buried there. 600 deaths on the property. Never heard of any rumors,” answered Serena. “Any traumatic deaths?” asked Ryan. “Nothing we know of or recorded. There are a few that could have been avoided,” replied Serena. “There were a few deaths by suicide,” added Alison. Serena agreed. “That could be considered traumatic,” she added. “Well depending on the Matron and the Keeper in charge here, your treatment was very different,” stated Serena. “If you were lucky enough to have been here with the Parkers, you could have died from disease or exposure,” she added. “They were not good people. They were essentially asked to leave because he was accused of a few things,” she continued. “The Griffins were very well loved. There are far less stories of mistreatment.” “What about the last couple?” asked Alison. “They weren’t great. The Matron was a bitch,” answered Serena. The team walked through a set of doors into what was formerly a hospital wing, added in 1892. However, in 2024 it was like walking into Jurassic Park. “Don’t be alarmed, we have a dinosaur display on right now with some large dinosaurs,” said Serena. “I’m not afraid of ghosts, but dinosaurs…” laughed Ryan. The team made their way around the corner into another dinosaur filled room. “This was a later addition. It was once the courtyard, outside,” described Serena. “Did they ever have residents that were considered unruly? Did they put them to another agency or keep them here?” asked Ryan. “They stayed here,” answered Serena. **Three jail cells were added to the back of the building after its original construction. These cells were used to confine “dangerous and unstable” inmates.** It was at this point Alison was on high alert. “Did anyone else here that?” The shuffle?” she asked. Serena agreed. “Someone did experience hearing footsteps in this area,” she shared. “Like it was a full-on shuffle. Like this,” said Alison as she dragged her feet across the carpet, making a shuffling noise. “I am telling you, there is something there,” she said. “Ya, I can hear shuffling too,” added Ryan. The team had now made their way into the original building. “Most of the experiences have been on the male side of the building,” Serena informed. “The Pretty in Pink room use to be the male day room. The most haunted room in the building is the room right above the male day room, and that’s the male dormitory,” she added. “Above, huh. I swore I just heard walking,” Alison said while staring at the ceiling. “We’re coming!” she shouted. The team was now standing amongst the displays and artifacts directly related to the House of Industry and Refuge. “We had a woman named Mary Wilkins,” said Serena. “She’s the one they found in the field, right?” asked Rachel. “Yes,” Serena answered. “We try to talk to her. Her body disappeared. No one knows where it went. It went to the coroners, and disappeared the next day,” she added.
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Mary Wilkins – Inmate #88 |
“This is the admin part of their house, offices. They’d also have their bedrooms down here. The upstairs was all dormitories,” she described. “Did disabled people come here?” asked Alison. “Yes. If you were on the spectrum and your family couldn’t, or didn’t, want to care for you,” replied Serena. The team moved about the first floor, looking at all of the photos and information on the walls. It was a lot to take in and understand. “I’m sure there were unreported death and mistreatment here,” said Ryan. Serena agreed. “Mrs. Parker defended her husband to the end,” she said. “Three women absconded under the Parkers care. All three accused him of assault. There were no absconded or accusations under the Griffins,” she added. “Also, two young boys were brought here by their uncle for a mixture of reasons. They couldn’t hear. Mr. Parker didn’t like that they wouldn’t listen, so he put them in the prison.”
William Henry Beals – Inmate #220; #243
Lorenzo Dow Beals – Inmate #221; #244
William Henry Beals was born in 1862. His brother, Lorenzo Dow Beals, was born around 1860. Both brothers were said to be Mute – unable to hear or talk.
William and Lorenzo were admitted to the House of Industry and Refuge in March of 1881. They were both classified as “Idiotic” upon admission. It was said that their treatment wasn’t the best – due to Mr. Parkers lack of patience and understanding. The Brothers would eventually abscond from the House, only to be returned. Their uncle, George T. Beals, came after the House and the Parker’s, accusing thing of cruelty against his nephews. The House committee took his accusations to investigate, but would fully exonerate the Parkers from all blame.
Eventually the brothers would be discharged.
William Henry Beals died on October 7, 1933. His death
Lorenzo Dow Beals died on February 18, 1920. His cause of death is listed as “Cerebral Thrombosis
The team now made their way down to the Pretty in Pink room. As you guessed, this was dedicated to Dolls, including Barbie. “It’s so heavy. I keep hearing this “Hmm”,” said Alison. “This was the boys dayroom,” said Serena. “This doll in the corner is said to move. We had an investigator in recently who walked up to the doll and suggested that it would be creepy if she moves. She then fell backwards off of her pedestal,” said Serena. She then described how they had tried to recreate it, but they couldn’t. “They then heard eleven footsteps coming towards them,” she added. The team moved about the room, looking at the items on display. “Would they be able to box, or play fight, here?” asked Alison. “I don’t know, probably not,” replied Serena. The reason Alison asked was she felt the energy and adrenaline that one might have if sparring with someone. She felt that this was done as a pastime. After a few moments the team made their way back down the hallway. “The hospital they had here was just for treatment?” asked Ryan. “Yes. No surgeries or anything,” answered Serena. “What about outbreaks?” “Nothing,” replied Serena. “They didn’t starve them here. They were feeble due to starvation,” said Alison. “I keep hearing that they were taken care of,” she added.
Alexander “Sandy” Spalding – Inmate #237; #249; #288; #292; #324 |
The team began ascended the staircase to the second floor. Stopping at the top of the staircase, Serena described her latest experience. “We heard a bang up here and a ‘woohoo’,” she described. The team made their way to their right and into the hallway. “Severe anxiety here,” Alison said. “Feeling short of breath,” added Ryan, who made sure to clarify that it wasn’t because he just climbed a set of stairs. “To the left was the women’s dormitory, to the right was the men. The rooms in the middle were for families,” described Serena. The team immediately headed to the right and towards the men’s dormitory. “I feel really anxious up here,” said Alison. “This is what I was feeling downstairs,” she added. “I just told Rachel I have what feels like a post adrenaline rush,” said Ryan. “Feels like horseplay, like boxing,” Alison added. The team entered the men’s dormitory area, which is now set up to depict a farm and farmhouse in the county. “Do things get moved up here?” asked Alison. “I haven’t seen, but I have heard from others that they do,” Serena replied. “Do they see actual apparitions, or shadows, mists?” questioned Alison. “Shadows, shaped like a person,” answered Serena. The team then made their way down the hallway to the women’s dormitory area. This room is now dedicated to the World Wars. “I feel sicker than a dog in here,” said Alison. “How many would they have in here?” asked Ryan. “Around thirty. People would sleep on the floor,” said Serena. “If they needed medical from the Doctor, would it be done in here?” asked Alison. “After 1892, it would be in the hospital wing. Prior to 1892, he would have an office they would go to, or a hospital,” answered Serena. “It’s sad in here,” said Paula. Alison agreed with her. “I normally don’t get these feeling,” she added. “Like my stomach hurts in here,” said Alison. “Someone is totally taking my energy,” she continued. The team then left the room and headed back down the hallway.
Julia Everson/Everston – Inmate #542; #548; #727; #793; #863 |
Margaret “Maggie” Zimmerman – Inmate #800; #821 |
We made our way towards the Museum offices, which were located on the second floor of the hospital wing. As we passed through a set of doors, Alison noticed a funny change in the energy. “This is our Conservator’s office,” said Serena. “Since this was a hospital, there is an embalming table in there,” she added. This peaked Rachel’s interest. “Isn’t that neat,” she said as she looked over the embalming table. Examining its features. As the team stood there, everyone heard what sounded like someone gasping for air. “If you are here with us, can you make a noise please?” asked Alison, hoping to get confirmation. The team waited in silence. “I can hear people talking,” said Serena. “Ya, I can hear a full conversation,” Ryan added. Serena agreed. “It’s more than one voice,” he added. The team listened for a little longer before Alison broke the silence. “We aren’t here to send you away,” she said. We then thought it might be a good idea to turn the ghost box on. It was almost instant, but a male voice was heard – ‘Leave’. “No, not yet,” Alison responded. “Who’s with us right now? Can you tell us your first name please?” asked Rachel. A male voice was heard – ‘Peter’. “Peter,” repeated Alison. “Is there a little girl here?” Alison asked next. A female voice was heard – ‘Something’. “Does anyone else feel like we’re being watched?” questioned Alison. Everyone agreed. A few more questions were asked, but no responses were heard. The team then moved on, through an archive room, and into the hallway that leads to other staff offices. “This is our office space and I don’t like this hallway,” stated Serena, as the door behind us closed. “Oh, did you hear that?” exclaimed Ryan. “What?” questioned Rachel, having not heard a noise. “Can you make that sound again?” asked Ryan. But things remained silent. “I thought I heard something shift,” he said. The team, lead by Alison, walked down darken hallway. As we passed the staff kitchen, Alison stopped and did a double look. “I swear I just saw something in there,” she said, standing in the doorway. “Right here,” she said as she walked in and stood in the middle of the room. “Is somebody in here?” she asked. But no response. Ryan than stated that he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. “I saw something this high, peek around the corner,” he said, describing the height of a child, peering around the corner of the hallway. “I don’t like it here. What happened here?” questioned Alison. “It’s a totally different vibe. The energy is very different,” she added. “Feels like a current. But it’s moving away from you,” described Ryan. “I would say this is more of a portal,” said Alison. Serena shared some personal experiences that she had had in the office area, as well as the experiences of some of the other Museum staff members. “The shadow I saw was bigger than a child,” said Alison. It was at that moment that Alison was sure she heard what sounded like a squeal. However, nobody else heard it. The team then made their way back down the hallway to check out the next location on the walk-thru. “Everybody stop!” exclaimed Alison. Everyone came to a halt and stood still. “I hear that conversation,” said Ryan. But as quickly as it was heard, it was gone. The team then made their way towards the doors, but not before Alison caught a glimpse of someone in the staff kitchen again.
Jane Lewis – Inmate #37; #799
Jane Lewis was born in 1803, somewhere in the United States. Eventually she would make her way to Canada. Jane was also a member of the Brook’s Bush Gang. This gang was located in the Toronto area and preyed on city people. They attacked isolated travelers on the roads through the Don Valley in the 1850s, coming petty thefts and robberies. This gang included both men and women, who mixed criminal activity with legitimate employment and other activities. In the mid-1860s, Jane moved to Guelph, where she lived a quiet life. No one was quite sure of where she got her income, but she lived in rented rooms that didn’t cost a lot. She had two vice – Tobacco and cheap whiskey. When she was drinking, she would let her guard down and recall her time as a gang member. She admitted to having a role in the murder of MPP John Hogan. She was described as having eyes that looked at the world with a frightful stare. She was short stature with the appearance of possessing the strength of a husky man. She was also said to have facial hair.
In January 1878, Jane was admitted to the House of Industry and Refuge due to poverty. Once she was admitted, she “adopted” and orphaned child that had be admitted to the House. She was reluctant to let anyone near this child, especially Mrs. Parker.
Jane Lewis passed away in November 1904. Her cause of death is listed as “Senile Decay”. She was buried in the Cemetery on the edge of the property.
The team now headed to the bottom floor. “This is where more offices would have been and dining rooms,” said Serena. “No one came across anyone who choked to death?” asked Alison. “Actually, I had a choking death,” said Ryan. “In my research,” he added. “It was a man?” questions Alison. “I think it was a male,” he replied. The team then headed towards the employee only area. It was a bright white, compared to the rest of the lighting and colouring in the building. “This is where a clerk saw someone working in the maintenance hallway,” described Serena. “I just heard a woman,” said Alison. No one else had heard a thing. The team made there way down some hallways and into the tunnel. These tunnels were used when the building was fitted with radiator heating. Eventually the team entered the large area where the coal furnaces where, and still are, located. “Aww this is cool! We are in the innards!” exclaimed Alison. “This is later 1900s, when the radiators were installed,” said Serena. “Men worked in here. Not women,” Alison said. Serena agreed. The job of tending the furnace was specifically for men. “I wonder why people see a woman down here?” Paula questioned. “Well, if a woman was down here it was probably for something unsavoury,” Alison replied. “There was a rumor that a baby was killed down here. But there are no records or reports of that. Nothing to corroborate it,” said Serena. The team then headed back through the tunnels to the main building. “There was no baby killed down there,” said Alison. “I believe that,” Rachel responded. Once back in the main building it was decided at this point to take a breather and plan our course of action for the investigation. After a few minutes, and a quick photoshoot with the dinosaurs, the team gathered the equipment and headed to the first place of interest – the dormitory for men.
The team headed to the upper floor and began to set up equipment. It was decided that this would be a great place to go live and share the start of the investigation with our followers. Check out the video below to see what happened!
The team headed to the upper floor and began to set up equipment. It was decided that this would be a great place to go live and share the start of the investigation with our followers. Check out the video below to see what happened!
After concluding the live video, the team continued their investigation in the old dormitory. Check out the video below to see the SLS capture.
Next, the team headed to the hallway in the staff office area. The team set up equipment up and down the hallway and spread out. Alison took the corner and was operating the SLS camera, Paula and Serena sat by the office, Rachel and Ryan sat by the staff kitchen. Watch the SLS camera video below to see what was captured during our investigation of this area.
After concluding the investigation of the office hallway, the team headed downstairs to the main level to investigate. Again, equipment was placed throughout the men’s day room and the front entrance way. Watch the video below to see what happened!
During the investigation of the main floor, Ryan was taking polaroid photos of the doll that was seen falling off her pedestal. Rachel was in the room beside him, but standing slightly behind him, while he was taking the photos. She was also filming at the time. The following three photos were taken one right after the other. We can’t say its paranormal, but we can’t say its explainable either. What is it?
As the team was about to wrap up the investigation, Alison felt compelled to check out one more room. The team had not entered this room prior, but had passed it multiple times throughout the evening. This room seemed to call out to Alison, so the team checked it out. The room was a sunroom, full of windows and what would have been a view of the front. Today it was a craft room for kids. It was definitely colder than the rest of the building (for obvious reasons – really old windows), but the energy of the room seemed to be electric. Watch the video below to see what happened!
As the team concluded the investigation in the sunroom, the building seemed to fall into a quietness. It was a peaceful feeling, as if one was going to sleep for the evening. It was decided that this was a good ending to our investigation. The team returned to base and began to pack up for the evening. After saying our good byes and making sure Serena locked up and got to her vehicle, the team discussed how interesting the Wellington County Museum and Archives were, and how they must return to visit the property and cemetery. “We will be back,” said Rachel as she got into the truck. “We will be back.”
The Wellington County Museum and Archives is most definitely haunted. The big question is - who is still there? We definitely had interaction with Adam Parker, the first House of Industry and Refuge Keeper, who was not very well liked and ruled with an iron fist. But who else did we come into contact with? What unrecorded things have happened throughout the years it was operating? What untold stories are waiting to he heard? Perhaps you could find out if you visit. All you have to do is listen.
For more information or to plan your visit to the Wellington County Museum and Archives, visit their website at www.wellington.ca/en/museum-and-archives.aspx
Be admitted to the House of Industry and Refuge for a few hours, ultimately receiving your discharge at the end of the day. Plus, if you go soon (Winter/Spring 2024) you can see some really awesome Dinosaurs, and travel even farther back in time.
The Wellington County Museum and Archives is most definitely haunted. The big question is - who is still there? We definitely had interaction with Adam Parker, the first House of Industry and Refuge Keeper, who was not very well liked and ruled with an iron fist. But who else did we come into contact with? What unrecorded things have happened throughout the years it was operating? What untold stories are waiting to he heard? Perhaps you could find out if you visit. All you have to do is listen.
For more information or to plan your visit to the Wellington County Museum and Archives, visit their website at www.wellington.ca/en/museum-and-archives.aspx
Be admitted to the House of Industry and Refuge for a few hours, ultimately receiving your discharge at the end of the day. Plus, if you go soon (Winter/Spring 2024) you can see some really awesome Dinosaurs, and travel even farther back in time.