Stepping into the Bytown Museum today for the first of several posts, we find ourselves looking first into the stone vault, built into the structure a few years after it was erected. The walls in here are thick, and it might remind you of a cell, particularly with that gate.
The building was originally a storehouse and treasury for John By's work on the Canal, and then used as a storehouse for the government for many years after until the 1950s, when the museum took over the structure to house its collection of local history artifacts. The building is as solid as ever, a testament to the skill of the masons who built it. It might be a pleasant place in the day... but night is another matter. The Museum has become a regular stop on the Haunted Walks held here in the downtown core.
There are a few ghost stories here. Lights go on and off by themselves. Footsteps and whispers are heard where there is no one present. Electronic devices behave in odd ways when no one is near them. Dolls in a cabinet are said to have eyes that blink and follow visitors. And some visitors have felt being pushed. Is Colonel By still here? One of his aides? Perhaps some of the thousand odd workmen who died during the building of the Rideau Canal?
In this museum you can spend fears in abundance.
ReplyDeleteTomás.
I like that header, William. More of that coming, I suspect. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt looks spooky and it sounds spooky!
ReplyDeleteThis is obviously an advantage for the place!
ReplyDeleteI like your new header! I love the ghost stories! We have some in Perth.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to steer clear of this place. Not because of the ghost stories, though. I'm just seriously claustrophobic.
ReplyDeleteI'd steer clear of it too Norma... because of the ghost stories :). They certainly don't build as solid as they used too William.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting place to visit. Funny when we visited it was just to see family and we got to the Parliament buildings and toured them but that was it. As I said before, it's time for us to return and really tour the city! :)
ReplyDeletei don't like scary! :)
ReplyDeleteSpooky, William!
ReplyDeleteWe both did doorways today. Your much more interesting though. Quite a story attached. Mine? No such luck.
ReplyDeleteHave you done the haunted walk? I love those kinds of tours!
ReplyDelete@Tomas: indeed!
ReplyDelete@Revrunner: definitely.
@Marianne: I've not felt anything odd in there... but the next time I go in, I'll have to photograph the dolls.
@VP: well it does give the place a certain reputation.
@Jennifer: there are ghost stories all over!
@Norma: most of the museum is quite open, but the vault does have a closed in feel to it.
@Grace: this one's well built.
@Pamela: there's a lot to see in the region beyond Parliament.
@Tex: I've not felt anything like it in here, but on the other hand, there's the old jail a few blocks away, and that place is creepy!
@EG: definitely!
@Birdman: I'll check out yours!
@Halcyon: I have, yes, and I'll have to do so again. There are several different walks.
Ahhh....that does sound haunted.
ReplyDeleteThis is a ghost story that just goes on and on. I have a ghost story in the pipeline.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to get locked in there all night.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a haunted museum to me!
ReplyDeleteSpooky! I love your white winter header! So exotic to me-
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=
Those walls look like they could repel any invader and keep inside any ghostly creatures. Human imaginations are very creative. Still, I'd be hesitant to wander about inside that gate in the dark of night. :)
ReplyDeleteThis was fun to read. And again, loving the new banner.
ReplyDelete@Sharon: one of the stories that goes around is that at night, when the building is locked down and no one is inside, lights are seen from outside going on and off.
ReplyDelete@Red: I look forward to it!
@Judy: there was one of these ghost hunter shows that once stayed in there overnight.
@Cheryl: it's quite a curious place.
@Cloudia: spooky indeed.
@Lowell: they certainly are well built walls, and that vault would be unwelcome at night!
@Whisk: thanks!
So weird!
ReplyDeleteOh my, that is scary! The gate does remind me of cell. Too many ghost stories...especially dolls, they sound spooky!
ReplyDeleteThey don't build 'em like that now!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all: you've got a wonderful new winter header!
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the entrance in the museum. I like that kind of spooky stories, so I'm looking forward for the rest of your visit.
Interesting history and a place for me. I love ghosts, real or not! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think I'd be a bit nervous!
ReplyDeleteAwesome place. I'm curious though. How do they know there are whispers if no one is there? I have a hunch there is an entire group there and then they claim they heard whispers, but who knows.
ReplyDelete@Marleen: very much so!
ReplyDelete@Tamago: I'm going to have to photograph those dolls when I get in there next!
@Janis: they certainly do not.
@Jan: I've got enough for just a taste... I'll be paying a return visit though.
@Ciel: I've always enjoyed a good ghost story.
@RedPat: I haven't felt that way in here, but I've never been in at night.
@Mari: according to the stories, it's when you're alone on a floor or in the museum as a whole that one hears footsteps or whispers.
mmmm interesting
ReplyDeletethe old hospital bt the botanical gardens here in Napier is apparently haunted
haunted you said? that would make the hubby happy. ME, not so much. i prefer nice and happy ghosts. ( :
ReplyDeleteThat looks seriously spooky! How cool!
ReplyDeleteIt does look very interesting...not sure I'd care to hang out there. But it sure does have "personality," dead or alive!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Nice narrative and photo. It sounds like a great place to visit, BUT only during the daytime.
ReplyDeleteHmm.... if electronic devices behaving oddly is a sign of ghosts, I'd better call Ghostbusters to come to my house.
ReplyDeleteSPOOKY! Can always rely on you for spirited post.
ReplyDelete@Jen: we've got plenty of ghost stories.
ReplyDelete@Beth: I wonder what it's like in there at night. That's apparently when the activity starts.
@Darcy: thanks!
@Kay: it does!
@Pat: hah!
@Linda: uh oh!
@Mike: thanks!