A visit to the quiet village of Sparta can feel like a trip back in time. The lives of many of its inhabitants throughout the 1800s unfolded in buildings which can still be seen today. You can feel a sense of history when you visit the businesses housed in those heritage structures. And you can explore it further by stopping in at the Forge and Anvil Museum or Sparta Church Museum & Cultural Centre or by taking the self-guided Sparta Walking Tour. |
Settlers raised families, worshipped, educated their children and ran shops and businesses (furniture, hardware, general merchandise, hotels, funeral parlour, forge, blacksmith, tinsmith, cheese factory, tailor, butcher, taverns). They experienced the demands of pioneer life, the McKenzie Rebellion, tension between religious beliefs and government officials, and conflict between drinkers and temperance advocates. It was a fertile ground for the emergence of fascinating characters, remarkable stories, tragedies and … spirits.
The folks at Sparta’s eclectic shop, the Village Collective, felt the time had come to channel some of Sparta’s stories and characters through an appropriate messenger from the past – and to present them to willing audiences. In a spirit of adventure, Village Collective owner Shelley McVittie and resident medium, Kate Vanner set out more than a year ago to create the “Guided Sparta Spirit Walk”.
Shelley says, “We researched extensively and consulted renowned psychics, mediums, historians and villagers. We wanted to be sure that stories described by the intuitives, or ones that came up as village folklore could be validated and weren’t just hearsay.”
Next, they went in search of a guide who would convey their love of Sparta village history and commitment to creating an authentic experience for visitors. They found that person in Lesley Chapman. Shelley says, “She did more research and came up with her own character, the wonderful Miss Lily-Rose Bryce. The stories we had found now had life and an unforgettable character to tell them.”
The folks at Sparta’s eclectic shop, the Village Collective, felt the time had come to channel some of Sparta’s stories and characters through an appropriate messenger from the past – and to present them to willing audiences. In a spirit of adventure, Village Collective owner Shelley McVittie and resident medium, Kate Vanner set out more than a year ago to create the “Guided Sparta Spirit Walk”.
Shelley says, “We researched extensively and consulted renowned psychics, mediums, historians and villagers. We wanted to be sure that stories described by the intuitives, or ones that came up as village folklore could be validated and weren’t just hearsay.”
Next, they went in search of a guide who would convey their love of Sparta village history and commitment to creating an authentic experience for visitors. They found that person in Lesley Chapman. Shelley says, “She did more research and came up with her own character, the wonderful Miss Lily-Rose Bryce. The stories we had found now had life and an unforgettable character to tell them.”
The walk does indeed contain lots of well-researched information, stories of people from Sparta’s past and characters who have, reportedly, returned from that past. It’s entertainingly presented as Miss Lily-Rose guides you along at a nice pace. She gives you a few moments to check inside some of the buildings, even some which are not open to the public, as she tells about their former inhabitants.
The tour includes a nice little gift packet with sampler packages of Heritage Line Herbs’ Sparta Spirit Tea and Sparta’s Ghostly Blend Soap, along with the Sparta Village Walking Tour Map, Back Roading Elgin Map and coupons for use throughout the village. It wraps up with opportunity to sit and relax with a cold drink on the Village Collective lawn as Miss Lily-Rose shares her final stories and answers any questions you may have.
Miss Lily-Rose may herself be a ghost and reportedly cannot be seen by all. That’s a good reason for you to believe, even if just for the duration of the tour. It would be a shame to miss sharing Miss Lily-Rose’s charming company for a couple hours in the village.
The Guided Spirit Walks are tentatively scheduled to run most Fridays and Saturdays and start at 1pm from the Village Collective verandah. Tours are $22.50 per person, $11 for children 6-10. Pre-registration on-line or by calling 519-775-2856 is recommended. Visit www.villagecollective.ca for further details, group rates and package info plus more about other Village Collective initiatives (Scarecrow Festival, Intuitive Wellness Awareness Days, Sparta coupon booklets, updated Historical Walking Tours, and the Village Newspaper).
Miss Lily-Rose may herself be a ghost and reportedly cannot be seen by all. That’s a good reason for you to believe, even if just for the duration of the tour. It would be a shame to miss sharing Miss Lily-Rose’s charming company for a couple hours in the village.
The Guided Spirit Walks are tentatively scheduled to run most Fridays and Saturdays and start at 1pm from the Village Collective verandah. Tours are $22.50 per person, $11 for children 6-10. Pre-registration on-line or by calling 519-775-2856 is recommended. Visit www.villagecollective.ca for further details, group rates and package info plus more about other Village Collective initiatives (Scarecrow Festival, Intuitive Wellness Awareness Days, Sparta coupon booklets, updated Historical Walking Tours, and the Village Newspaper).