Sue Darroch and Matthew Didier's Paranormal Blog

Each Friday we will have a look at the stories and experiences that have been related to us over the years that are amongst our personal favourites. These will include Crypto, Ghosts, Hauntings, UFO's, and other strange events that may be considered Fortean, from in around the Toronto, Canada area .... and since they are from our own personal files will likely not be found elsewhere on the web .... enjoy!

Ghosts Of Gibson House Museum - Toronto, Ontario Canada

Gibson House is a museum in the North York Centre neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This historic property was built in 1851 by David Gibson, a Scottish immigrant, land surveyor and participant of the Rebellion of 1837. For his activities in the Rebellion, his house was destroyed and he was banished from Upper Canada, so he fled to nearby western New York, settling with his family in Lockport. Though he was threatened with losing his land, he continued to own the property in what was then York County, near Toronto. His wife was not banished, and she was able to travel between Lockport and Toronto to collect rents and profits on the farmstead.

By 1848, David Gibson was pardoned, along with many who took part in the Rebellion. He returned with his family to York County, and built this house in 1851. Its style reflects a prosperous man, and some of its furniture and engravings reflect his U.S. residence in motif.

The following report was sent in by one of our readers:

"The Gibson house was very different. People talked a lot about a man standing at the window at the front of the house, my aunt who used to live on that same street ( when there was houses there) said that a man would look in their windows at night, he had a big top hat on. My cousins who used to live there remember him! They said that he was very scary looking. I always had the feeling of being watched when I would have to get dressed into my costume in the staff room, which at the
time was located in the basement (cellar).

Apparently the house had burned down and was rebuilt at some point. I think during the rebellion. I always felt welcome in the front parlour and in the kitchen, but when I went into the cellar or upstairs I always felt unnerved. Also there were cold spots in many different places upstairs but mostly in the parlor..where Mrs Gibson used to sit.

No matter how warm it was ( because it was right next to the fireplace) it was always Cold! Now this was YEARS ago, I must have been 13 or so when I was working there as a volunteer. It would be interesting if someone did an investigation on this house, I'm about 90% positive
that you would find something! I'm not sure if they still have volunteers there...If they do, I'm sure some stories would arise."

Our thanks to the witnesses for sharing this report with us.

Further Reading: Wiki Entry

Image Credit: OntarioPlaques.com

Do you have a real life ghost story, an encounter with a UFO, or other paranormal experience/s you'd like to share? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Post your own experiences in our comments section or send us an email. Please post only true life experiences ... we love good fiction, but there are other fantastic blogs out there to post fictional accounts to.