On the anniversary of Homer Watson’s death on May 30, 2022 my friend Amy and I attended a unique evening of paranormal investigation at Homer Watson House & Gallery.

Our experience began with a signature cocktail, an introduction to TOPS (The Ontario Paranormal Society) and conversation about Homer Watson’s interest and connection to spiritualism.

Who Is Homer Watson?

Before I get too much into the investigation, let’s talk a bit about Homer Watson the man, after all it is his house we’re investigating. If you’re local to Kitchener-Waterloo (Ontario, Canada) you’re likely familiar with the name from the street named in his honour, Homer-Waston Blvd, you may also know it because of the park named after him or the maybe the trail.

Homer Watson who once was one of Canada’s most prolific painters, had devoted himself to the simple yet sublime task of painting the countryside of Doon , Ontario (now Kitchener). His landscapes reflect Canada’s nature and early pioneer life. It was a place of rolling hills and meandering streams, of flora and fauna teeming with the energy of a new nation on the rise. His landscapes, capturing the essence of the Canadian spirit. You can check out more about that on the National Gallery of Canada’s site here.

Homer was known to conduct séances in his parlour, in the hopes of connecting with the souls of the relatives who had passed away. His father died of typhoid and his younger brother perished in a farming accident, which Homer witnessed. Not seeking solace from Christianity like his mother did, he was drawn to alternative spiritualities instead. Homer insisted that the deaths of his family members were not influencing his interest in spiritualism, but it must have affected him on some level. In 1880, Homer and three friends embarked on a canoe journey upstate New York to Lily Dale, an enclave of spiritualists.

Homer and his companions would often congregate near a dimly lit table, typically at nightfall when they thought the veil between living and spirit worlds was at its thinnest. If there was a medium present, trance writing may have been utilized to write down messages from the spirits on notecards. Other times, the medium might hear messages or be possessed by spirits for a brief moment. The technique of using yes-no questions to communicate with ghosts through raps was also practiced.

Spiritualism remained taboo in traditional Canadian society despite its popularity, so Homer was discreet about his beliefs until much later in life. Then Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King was also heavily involved in spiritualism. Also hailing from Kitchener, King and Homer were friends and the two participated in séances together.

In 1918, Homer’s wife, Roxanna (Roxa), passed away of angina pectoris. They had been married for 37 years. I image that following her loss, a relentless sadness invaded his heart as it stopped fitfully in his chest over and over until he was unable to breathe. Without his Roxa by his side, Homer experienced a creative block because his loving wife often gave her thoughts on Homer’s artwork. The creative block lasted approximately a year, until he had a vision …

One evening, whilst was sitting in his studio, Homer noticed something at the bottom of the staircase. Roxa said “Do not despair. All is well, Homer.” Seeing Roxa that night helped Homer regain confidence and he started painting again.

Homer had a unique attitude towards spiritualism and the Bible that many of his peers did not share. In the 1920s, when Roxanna passed away, it made Homer even more fervent about spiritualism and he returned to Lily Dale often. He listened intently to lectures, watched demonstrations, joined in on séances with renowned mediums and maybe even got a spirit photograph taken while there. This type of photoshoot was quite fashionable at the end of the 19th century because people believed that a camera lens could capture light that couldn’t be seen by the human eye, thus unveiling ghosts.

Homer passed away in 1936, leaving an unfinished painting on his easel. His sister Phoebe had been “Dabbing a little wistfully at some of Homer’s unfinished work, [and] was reported to have attended a local spiritualist session at which she received a message from Homer. When asked what the message was, Phoebe laughed and said, ‘Homer says, leave my paintings alone.’”  

An Evening With The Spirits

Reports of activity in and around the home include full body apparitions, voices, and footsteps. Some even feel ghostly presences some rooms of the house.