Lake County History Center
Ghosts of long lost poor farm residents may forever haunt the exhibits of this Ohio museum
Paranormal Claims at
Lake County History Center
- Disembodied voices utter peoples’ names and tell them to leave
- Large shadow figures are spotted in the halls
- The entity of a strict former matron is felt in certain rooms
- Ghostly moans are sometimes heard
- People report hearing distant cries throughout the museum
- Objects in the bathroom are moved by unseen forces
- Visible orbs are seen in the basement
- Flashlights left in certain rooms will turn on and off by themselves
- Phantom footsteps and shuffling noises are heard
- People report odd pulling sensations on the stairs
- Chairs in the museum purportedly move by themselves
A Poor Farm Rich in History:
Lake County History Center
For many American communities, their historic poor farms and almshouses are parts of the past they’d prefer to forget. In old world America, poor farms were often the only refuge for the poor and infirm. Many facilities spent their whole operational lives being underfunded and overcrowded. And in the end, many were torn down and forgotten.
But some communities, like those in Lake County, Ohio, choose to preserve their old poor houses.
Today, you can find the Lake County History Center built into the county’s former almshouse. The historic and expansive complex shows off different artifacts across numerous exhibits. It also offers library space to research the region’s history.
But there’s much more than just books and exhibits to learn from at Lake County History Center. Some say you might be able to hear tales of local history from the poor house’s ghosts!
Timeline of Lake County History Center's History
Swipe or use timeline points to see Lake County History Center through the years
1852
In the early 1850s, Lake County, Ohio was in dire need of a social safety net. As communities grew, so too did the number of homeless and infirm citizens. In 1852, the county bought a small farm house outside of Painesville to serve as the Lake County Poor Farm. The wooden farmhouse operated for over twenty years, but the site deteriorated quickly. By the mid-1870s, facing a falling apart house and overcrowding, the county resolved to build a brand new poor farm on the site.
1876
In 1876, the new Lake County Poor Farm opened its doors. A large brick building, the new facility greatly surpassed the aged farmhouse that came before it. Quickly, the new building’s halls filled up with Lake County’s poor, elderly, and ailing populace. For the remainder of the 1800s and into the 20th century, Lake County Poor Farm served a pivotal purpose for the regional communities. And by 1900, the area around the property had developed as well, making the poor farm a focal point for Painesville.
1900
In 1900, the county’s first dedicated medical facility opened at the Lake County Poor Farm. A relatively simple practice, the medical office was a large step forward in healthcare for the county at the time. And undoubtedly, the facility’s presence made life at the Lake County Poor Farm much healthier for residents and staff. The facility operated into the 1930s, but as society continued to develop, medical care evolved out of small clinics. And soon, support for the poor would evolve away from poor farms as well.
2004
Social Security and other financial resources kept many people out of poor farms. Many facilities either closed or changed focus. In Lake County, the facility transitioned into being a nursing home of sorts. By the 1970s, it had taken on a new name, Lake County Home, reflecting its change in use. The county home continued to offer care to elderly and sick locals until 2004, when the facility closed for good. But the county historical society moved fast, buying the property to preserve and reuse it as a museum.
2006
The society’s purchase of the building was completed in 2006. The Lake County Historical Society soon went to work filling the old poor farm rooms with artifacts and exhibits. Today, the building remains a living monument to the county’s storied past. But some ghostly remnants of that past may haunt the halls of the museum. Visitors and museum staff alike have noted countless unexplained things since the building opened to the public. Some people have even claimed to have direct encounters with the paranormal at the museum.
Is Lake County History Center Haunted?
Ever since opening to the public, the Lake County History Center has been awash with paranormal lore and ghost stories. Some of the more common ghostly reports from the museum are claims of strange noises and disembodied voices.
Visitors and workers both encounter distant voices echoing from somewhere in the museum. These ghostly calls aren’t often heard clearly, but sometimes seem to be drawing witnesses to particular rooms or areas of the old building.
Hear Eerie Voices & Phantom Footsteps
The Lake County History Center is equally well-known for its strange, disembodied moans and cries. Witnesses say the moans sound pained, like the sounds of a sick or injured person. And the cries are often described as coming from an unseen baby somewhere in the building.
Through the halls and stairwells of the museum, phantom footsteps are also regularly heard echoing through.
In recent years, numerous ghost hunting teams have visited the museum. Many claim to capture the museum’s voices, footsteps, moans, and cries on audio recordings.
Some of these recordings apparently capture the ghostly voices sharing their names. These voices are also heard telling certain visitors to leave.
Apparitions in the Exhibits
Going along with the claims of ghostly sounds and voices, some report that unexplained apparitions and shadowy forms lurk within the history center. Shadow figures are most often spotted in the building’s hallways, moving from room to room.
Interestingly, many witnesses to the Lake County History Center’s shadow figures say their size is a defining feature.
The ghostly silhouettes often appear tall and quite large, taking up much of the hallways they appear in. Some witnesses say the figures will change shape. They turn to black, pulsating masses of unexplainable energy without warning.
In the darkness of the building’s basement, ghostly shadows morph into odd light anomalies. People who visit the museum’s basement frequently claim to see visible light orbs glowing through the cellar’s shadows.
The Mysterious Matron
Many phantom forms in the museum are nothing more than shadow figures and strange lights. However, at least one ghost at the Lake County History Center is said to appear quite vividly. Known as Mrs. White, this ghost is said to be the entity of a former poor farm matron, known for her strict attitude.
Mrs. White apparently keeps that dour demeanor in death, appearing with a distinct scowl. Most often, Mrs. White’s phantom is found lingering around the old dormitory spaces. It’s almost like she is still keeping watch over all her residents in the afterlife.
Spirits on the Stairs
At times, the ghosts of Lake County History Center can purportedly get a little physical with visitors and staff. On the building’s main staircase, some people claim to feel sudden tugs or pulls on their clothes or hair. Others simply feel drawn back down the stairs by some uncertain force. It’s as if the ghosts of the poor farm don’t want visitors touring through particular areas.
Elsewhere in the museum, phantoms may play tricks by moving chairs out from under people as they sit down.
Ghostly Tricks & Phantom Flashlights
Ghostly mischief is known to happen all through the museum, even in the bathrooms. At times, staff will notice things in the bathrooms moved around or toilet seats left up, with only the building’s ghosts to blame.
Through ghost hunts, paranormal investigators report interesting flashlight activity throughout the museum. Purportedly, flashlights will actively click on and off with no known cause. But the activity sometimes seems to react to questions or requests.
Paranormal in Painesville:
Ghosts of Lake County History Center
The Lake County History Center remains a treasured local landmark in Painesville, Ohio today. The facility offers some one-of-a-kind glimpses into Lake County’s past, as well as an opportunity to explore the grounds of a former poor farm. Several outbuildings have also been moved onto the museum property. These showcase other common aspects of old world Ohio life.
But through all their exhibits and programs, the museum never loses sight of their paranormal mystery.
Along with regular daytime tours, the museum also offers lantern tours in fall, and other paranormal-themed events. All you need to do is keep up with their calendar to see what spooky events are coming up. Additionally, the museum has hosted ghost hunts from regional paranormal teams in the past as well.
Most of America has forgotten the era of poor farms and almshouses. But in contrast, Lake County, Ohio’s poor farm remains an unforgettable local landmark. The old farm’s phantoms help make sure of that.
