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The Academy Theatre

Lindsay, Ontario, Canada

In 1892, two pioneer citizens of the emerging town of Lindsay, Ontario had an idea for an impressive entertainment building.
The Academy Theatre was born and became one of the most historic theatre buildings left in Canada.

The Academy Theatre - Present

In the Spring of 1892, two citizens of the town of Lindsay Ontario had a dream to build a new theatre. Their names were R.J. Matchett, an agent of the Grand Trunk Railroad, and Fred Knowlton, a town clerk.

It was planned for ‘The Academy of Music’. They had all the plans and estimates prepared, and the work got started in July of 1892.

The building is still located in its original spot, at the corner of Lindsay and Kent Street East. These two pioneer citizens built this theatre at a cost of $18,000. When it opened in 1893, the structure was billed as the most technically advanced theatre in all of Canada.

The theatre had a capacity of 900 people arranged on two levels, with 166 seats in the orchestra, and 218 seats in the parquet, arranged in a crescent formation.

Later on, the Academy became a movie house. Then in 1962, the Academy Theatre stood empty. Many concerned citizens stepped forward with money to save it from the wrecking ball. They raised over $65,000.

Today, The Academy Theatre is one of the finest historic theatres in Canada. More than 50,000 people visit it annually.

The Ghost of Mary
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Local legend has it that a woman named Mary used to live in an apartment on the third floor of the theatre. She was upstairs when the front door bell rang. She ran down the stairs to answer it, but tripped and fell, breaking her leg.

Mary was transported by train from Lindsay to Kingston, Ontario, but died of internal hemorrhaging on the way. Since that time she appears in the lighting booth on the third floor, in the staircase, and all throughout the building.

A witness named Don White, a technician at the theatre, said he has seen her on the stairs, wearing a dress and crying. He described her as having shoulder length hair.

It’s believed the ghost of Mary is a prankster and a protector of the building. Sometimes light wires would be found entirely incinerated; but the lights still work. Maybe it’s Mary protecting The Academy from fire?

A witness named Marion had a daughter performing on stage, and while on stage her daughter felt as if someone was holding and pulling at her hand, as if to guide her. During a production of Grease in 2006, that same daughter had seen a white, ghostly figure in the balcony.

On the third floor, some people have heard a woman screaming. It happens at they are opening the stairway door. Could this be the residual ghost of Mary still falling down those stairs?

The Two Gentlemen
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Another local legend is known to the small town as the Two Gentlemen. The first gentleman likes to sit in the audience, just down from the doorway on the left side, in the aisle, seat V20. The other gentleman likes to stands at the top of the stairs by the balcony.

The man in V20 wears a suit, and likes to watch the full shows, and even the rehearsals. This man will always sit in his seat even if the show is sold out. Even the actors on stage have reported seeing him in that seat.

The Dressing Room
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In the summer of 2000, an actor was going downstairs to the dressing room under the stage. As he walked in, he smelt and saw cigarette smoke. He was alone and there was no access to that room because it was locked.

When actors are getting ready, or finishing their performance, the mirrors in the dressing room move around.

Also, somebody has been seen walking by the technician’s office downstairs, near the dressing room, when the area is completely empty.

The Guild Room
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The last local legend of this beautiful theatre is the guild room. Located on the second floor, they say you will see a lady sitting at the piano.

She’s wearing a long blue dress and a hat that matches.

Joseph DiFrancesco

Joseph DiFrancesco is a published author
Purchase Wicca: Living as a Solitary Wiccan

** Photos courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Ontario - hpd.mcl.gov.on.ca

Historical Plaque - Lindsay, Ontario, Canada

Lobby #1 - Academy Theatre - Lindsay, Ontario, Canada

Lobby #2 - Academy Theatre - Lindsay, Ontario, Canada

Bibliography:

1. Boyle, Terry
   Haunted Ontario Revisited. Rosseau, Ontario: Entwood Cottage Editions, 2007

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