Their custom spirit board has been privy to some spooky secrets!
As Halloween approaches, thrill-seekers and history buffs alike are gearing up to visit one of the most intriguing haunted locations.
The Huron County Museum’s Historic Gaol, nestled in the heart of Goderich, has long been known for its ghostly tales and chilling experiences.
Sinaed Cox, the Curator of Engagement and Dialogue, shared some spine-tingling insights into this historic place.
According to Cox, visitors to this site report diverse encounters all over the buildings, ranging from footsteps and mysterious sounds to visual apparitions and even physical sensations like being touched.
During the fall, as the nights grow colder and the darkness settles in, the gaol takes on an even more ominous vibe. Doors slamming shut in the wind and other eerie phenomena add an extra layer of creepiness to the atmosphere.
The gaol has fully embraced its haunted history, offering ghost tours that delve into the site’s intriguing past. Cox said you need look no further than the notorious history of the gaol, which includes three hangings within its walls over 150 years.
The gaol’s haunted tours have become wildly popular, with tickets typically selling out well in advance. The intimate tours take place on Friday nights throughout October, with limited space due to the small and confined areas inside the gaol.
They have also had a custom spirit board made, including a map of the gaol as well as the conventional alphabet and yes, no options – providing potential spirits the opportunity to point to specific areas.
What sets the Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol apart from other haunted locations is its rich historical record. Cox explained that inquests were conducted when someone passed away in a public building, shedding light on the lives and deaths of those who resided there. Digitized resources like newspapers, county council minutes, and ancestry sites have helped to uncover these stories.
Cox believes that the gaol’s uniqueness lies in its ability to intertwine true crime and ghost stories with broader social issues. Visitors often come for the spooky tales but leave with a deeper understanding of the historical and social context that haunts the gaol – with a lack of social safety nets being the main reason that many died within its walls.
This Halloween season, whether you’re a believer in the supernatural or simply looking for a captivating historical experience, the Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol promises to deliver a mix of scares, emotions, and thought-provoking stories.
Their ghost tours are all booked for the season, but you can take a look for yourself and sneak in a last look at that history before they close their doors for the year the day after Halloween.
Written by: B. Shakyaver