The Napanee & District Chamber of Commerce is starting a brand-new initiative by hosting its first History and Hauntings Tours in the historic downtown Napanee this summer/early fall beginning Tuesday Aug. 9.
This event is the first step for the Chamber to get back to offering a tourism draw.
Lisa Bird, Business Manager of the Chamber wants to combine her love of history with her fascination with the paranormal.
“People are curious,” she said. “It’s a thrill factor, to come for a beautiful evening stroll, share the ghost stories, and learn about the history that’s definitely around in this town.”
She adds appreciating local history is important in a small town like Napanee.
“It’s typical of any place that you live. You take your town for granted,” said Bird. “You have to really learn to appreciate the history that’s involved. The community that we’re living in, the direction that were going in, is a great direction. Thanking the people from the past, from the sawmills, grist mills, Allan Macpherson. We are still seeing the vibrancy of the downtown core carrying on today. We have those people to thank.”
With the help of fellow staff and friends, Bird scoured the shelves of the local archives, the museum, and documented many stories from people who have had unexplained experiences.
The History and Hauntings tour includes stops at local businesses and residences, each with its own story of an otherworldly visitor. There is no shortage of stories to share, from missing sandwiches to unexplained footsteps in attics. One local business even reported seeing the apparition of man in coveralls.
It’s the unexplained. Until the stories can be proven to be debunked, it can be kind of interesting to know. What is it that is making these sounds? Why do you have certain feelings in buildings you go into? What exists, what doesn’t exist? It’s the unknown.
She is encouraging the community to come forward with their own tales to tell for future walks, hoping for more stories and more ghosts to pay a visit to.
Tours will be held every Tuesday and Friday evenings at 6 p.m. and will take about one and a half hours. Prices are $10 adults, $5 students (age eight to 15), under eight free. Contact the Napanee Chamber by email at businessmanager@napaneechamber.ca or call 613 354 6601 to reserve a spot.