Thursdays - Saturdays, October 20 - 29
Old Fort Erie, Fort Erie
All Hallows’ Eve
All Hallows’ Eve
Join us once again for an evening of ghoulish fun with All Hallows’ Eve! Tour the eerie grounds and barracks of Canada’s bloodiest battlefield by torch and candlelight. Hear spooky Halloween tales and learn about the fascinating history of some of the most beloved Halloween traditions. See the Officers’ quarters where the bedroom of Captain Kingsley of the King’s 8th Regiment of Foot is said to be haunted by his spirit. The evening will conclude with the burning of a Guy Fawkes effigy.
We encourage guests to come dressed for the weather as parts of the tour will take place outside. The tour will run rain or shine! Small snacks and cold and hot beverages will be available for purchase at the Welcome Centre.
Tour times are available October 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 at 7:30 or 7:45 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Chilling tales of a bloody battlefield
One of the most famous ghost stories in the long history of Old Fort Erie is the historically verified “No Heads, No Hands.” When the British began to invade the Fort and opened fire with their artillery, two American soldiers were injured in a blood-curdling sight amongst the chaos of the invasion.
In the century since, many have claimed to witness the two soldiers walking the grounds of the battlefield at night–one with no head and one with no hands.
Captain Kingsley’s haunted bed
Bedridden and suffering from a myriad of health problems, Captain Kingsley of the King’s 8th Regiment of Foot spent his final months in his bedroom inside the Officers’ quarters. He suffered from vicious fevers, hallucinations and mercury poisoning, which had devastating effects on his physical and mental health.
After his long and horrible illness and subsequent death, many people believe that the Captain still haunts the officers’ quarters, specifically the bed where he died. Museum staff and visitors have entered the room to find the sheets strewn about the bed, while some have reported hearing footsteps and seeing windows and doors move without being touched. You’ll see the haunted officers’ quarters, and the Capitan’s original bed, on your All Hallows’ Eve tour.
Burning of Guy Fawkes Effigy
All Hallows’ Eve concludes with the burning of a Guy Fawkes effigy. This annual British custom dates back hundreds of years and recognizes the unsuccessful plot by Guy Fawkes and his cohorts to bomb the British parliament. The burning of Guy Fawkes effigies became common practice in the 1800’s as a class-based display of protest.
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