Achi news desk-
There have been countless stories over the years of ghosts taking place inside the historic St. John’s Loyal House, and a public paranormal investigation scheduled for this weekend may answer some centuries-old questions.
Canadian paranormal expeditions will be holding public paranormal investigations on Friday and Saturday evenings starting at 7 pm at Loyalist House, and will be using the latest paranormal tracking equipment to do so.
Brad Monks is the founder of Canadian paranormal expeditions and has been ghost hunting for over 25 years. He has high hopes for what the group will find this weekend in the more than 200-year-old home.
“A few weeks ago we went in, checked it out and yes, we caught some things out of there,” Monks said. “We caught an aberration walking by a mirror, we caught voices in there, and anyone who’s going to come this weekend, I’m sure they’re going to have a great time.”
Monks admits that he has been trying to get to Loyalist House for a paranormal investigation because of his love of history.
He also notes that the event (which costs $30 per person) helps raise money for the daily operations of the Loyalist House, with all money raised going towards the historic site. The fact that the home has been standing since the early 1800s, and survived the great St John’s fire in the late 1870s, gives the Monks hope that no spirits will be hanging around shyly during the investigation nights. .
“I always say let the history speak with the voice of the spirits that are there,” Monks said. “So if they have something to say and they want to tell you something they will let you know.”
Loyalist House is operated by the New Brunswick Historical Society. Vice President Troy Middleton has always been aware of the stories associated with the historic home, but admits to being a bit skeptical of ghosts.
That was until he joined Monks and his team in their pre-scoot of the building earlier in April.
“The things I saw and heard, there is something to it,” admits Middleton. “We were all downstairs in this room and we heard footsteps and voices coming from upstairs, and it was confirmed that everyone was down here. Lights would come on, turned off by asking them to do it and only the paranormal people did it I asked (the spirits) if they could turn the lights off and it went off.
“I’m not staying in this house overnight I’ll tell you that much.”
The house was built by the Merritt family in the early 1800s and was completed by 1817. Five generations of the family lived in the home before it was sold to the New Brunswick Historical Society in 1958. Three years later it opened as a museum, is one of the only buildings to survive the Great St John Fire of 1877.
Middleton says any opportunity to showcase the historic site is great for the society.
“Any publicity is good publicity,” Middleton said. “We are a voluntary organisation, most of us are volunteers who work here apart from summer students and we rely on donations and admissions coming through the door so any event we can do to help bring a little of money to keep this place open great. “
In terms of advice for those interested in attending the public inquiry, Monks advises them to keep an open mind. He says he and his team have seen it all before and will ensure the safety of those taking part, who may leave with an experience they won’t be able to explain.
“Sometimes you can go into it and there’s a lot going on, you go the next night and it’s as quiet as a mouse,” admits Monks. “Loyal House has a bit of history behind it and we hope to make it fun and exciting for everyone who comes.”
Monks hope to carry out paranormal investigations at other old sites around the city such as the Imperial Theater and the Firefighters Museum.
