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THE CUSTOMS HOUSE - A haunted house is a dwelling in which resides an active spirit . The
                           haunting is a result of a violent or accidental death,an earth bound
                           spirit with unfinished business , or an evil soul is doomed to walk
                           the earthly plane for all eternity. The museum at 51 Stuart St. is
                           the most haunted building in Hamilton and , according to the above
                           definition, holds up to the title.

                           The building was completed in 1860 by an incredible team of stone
                           masons, wood workers , and carpenters. The men of business took up
                           shop in the building soon after construction was completed. They
                           stayed for 27 years collecting taxes on such items as tea , furs,
                           cured meats and tobacco. A man named Alexander Wingfield, a local
                           Scottish poet, worked at the customs house and was the first one to
                           see THE DARK LADY in 1873. He wrote a poem in which he describes an
                           encounter with the spirit.

                           The Hamilton School board used the building for classroom space in
                           1887. The Murray Street School, located directly behind the customs
                           house, had to be expanded to deal with the growing population. Night
                           classes were also offered for children who worked all day.

                           In 1903 the YWCA moved into the space and started to offer classes
                           for women. With all the wealthy people living in the area , servants
                           were needed. Women could take classes in sewing , cooking , and house
                           cleaning for which they would earn a penny a day. The ladies would
                           in turn be hired after completing the courses.

                           The Associated Charities of Hamilton offered the space as a shelter
                           in 1908. It was a safe place for all the immigrants that were arriving
                           by boat and train. They could get a hot meal, bath , and a " safe "
                           place to sleep. It was during these busy years that the DARK LADY
                           made her presence known. People used to report seeing a lady, in a
                           black dress in the basement, just outside the vault .

                                                      The building was left to rot for some time when a fire next door
                           offered new life to the old house. From 1912 to 1915 vinegar was in
                           production at the house.

                           The textile and wool industry also used the customs house. From 1917
                           to the early fifties the Empire Wool Stock Company flourished. A fire
                           in the 20's destroyed everything but the stone walls and foundations.
                           The Company faded with the Hamilton textile market.

                           In 1956 the Reio family and neighborhood immigrant women opened
                           the Naples Macaroni Factory. A doughnut maker rented the first
                           floor as his bakery. Barrels of olives were stored in the basement
                           and vats of fresh pasta were stored on the top floor. One day in
                           the late 50's a young lady, claiming to be the daughter of Alexander
                           Wingfield, stopped in for a visit. She took the Reio's on a tour and
                           told stories and memories of her time living there. She also spoke
                           of seeing a Dark Lady standing outside the vault in the basement.
                           She then thanked them both and left. Finding the event strange, the
                           family did some investigating with a local resident. He said his aunt
                           was the daughter of Wingfield but that she had been dead for many
                           years. It was reported that Mrs. Reio would not go into the basement
                           for many years after the conversation. The Health Department closed
                           operations in 1979 and the building was left empty again.


                           For 9 years the building decayed and was a home for runaways, drug
                           addicts , prostitutes and the homeless. In 1988 a Karate school moved
                           in, with a government grant of over $ 400,00.00 , and fully restored and
                           renovated the building to its present look. It was during the massive
                           project that new problems arose. A staff member named Annette was
                           closing up one night when she heard the disembodied voice of a male
                           telling her to " GET OUT OF HERE ". She also reported electrical
                           malfunctions , and other strange things. The most terrifying event for
                           her was when she was closing up one night. She saw a little black cat
                           trapped between the outer and inside window panes. She rushed over
                           to free the screeching feline, when it vanished before her eyes ! The
                           crazy fact of the whole event was that the window had been nailed
                           shut for ,months.

                           The building was bought through power of sale in 1992 by a computer
                           company which was bankrupt a year later to the day. Once again the
                           building lay empty.

                           Finally in 1995 the Ontario Workers Art and Heritage Centre opened
                           the doors as a museum to celebrate the history of Hamilton's working
                           class. Since the building is a museum, it is constantly renovated for
                           new exhibits. This has lead to an increase in paranormal activity. An
                           example from 1996 had workers arriving to the building and finding
                           their tools being scattered all over. They had all been put away the
                           night before. Another time the word MURDER appeared on a wall on
                           the main floor.

                           A painter named Jim MacDonald had a visit from the DARK LADY one
                           night when he was working late at the museum. He was doing a check
                           of the floors and saw the figure of an elderly women. She told him
                           That if anybody should move her MANTLEPIECE , a flood would strike
                           the customs house and vanished. People have reported seeing the
                           DARK LADY standing in front of her Mantlepiece , brushing her long
                           hair. Jim relayed the message but the mantle was moved. That night
                           A drain pipe on the roof busted flooding every room in the customs
                           house. Since then people listen to the warnings.

                           Other spirits lurk in the shadows. Many have fun playing pranks. One
                           game the spirits like a lot has to do with the shutters in the main
                           gallery. A volunteer named James was finishing his first shift. He
                           had finished closing and locking all the shutters. As he walked out
                           the room he was met by a co - worker who told him to lock up. when
                           James turned around all of the locks and shutters had been silently
                           opened. Many others have also witnessed the same phenomena.

                           Mary Breen used the mens washroom due to a broken light in the
                           ladies room. As she finished washing her hands , the towel dispenser
                           flew across the room and smashed against the door. Mary also had
                           an occasion when she smelt roasting poultry. The building has no
                           ovens.

                           Two male spirits have been seen in the building. One fell to his
                           death and sits on the stairs in the basement. The other likes to
                           sit in the office on the second floor and stare out the window.

                           There is also a spirit child that plays on the second floor. He
                           is believed to be a child who attended school in the building.
                           Workers have heard laughing and running footsteps coming from
                           the hall.

                           With all it's playful poltergiests , the Customs House is definitely
                           worth checking out.

UPDATE FEB 2008 -      In October of 2007 , SHADOWICC©   held a seance under a full moon. We
                           had nine people all experience the same things. As John finished
                           cutting the portal in our circle , the candle flames flickered . .
                           no doors or windows were opened. As we joined hands around the
                           table, a mass of cold air stared to circle us.

                           We heard objects moving in the adjoining rooms and upon arriving
                           found that some doors and chairs had been moved. We and one other
                           body on the second floor were the only people in the building. In
                           pictures taken by the group there were lots of orbs and even a
                           photo with a spirit in it.

                           The security guard had told us that things were getting noisy on
                           the second floor as well. He had not been witness to so much activity
                           in a while.

                           John also had incredible tours in the building. He encountered orbs,
                           cold spots , items being thrown at him and even knocking responses
                           to questions. All these events were witnessed by his tour groups.
                           John always waits for the next event to happen while he's there . .
                           and it usually does.

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