The Haunted Galt Museum

Once a hospital, some patients never left

The Galt Museum and Archives, the largest museum in Alberta south of Calgary, has over 20,000 artifacts inside. With 50,000-plus visitors arriving each year, it is a very popular place to visit.

And along with the many artifacts, there may be some ghosts that still hang around the building.

Before the Galt Museum moved into the building in the late-1960s, the structure was the Galt Hospital.

The Galt Hospital was the primary hospital in Lethbridge until the construction of the Municipal Hospital in 1955. Prior to that, many residents came through its doors.

All that history, and more than a few individuals dying in the building, has led the Galt Museum to become one of the most haunted locations in Southern Alberta.

One place that is of particular paranormal activity is the former children’s ward. People have heard a boy and a girl talking and laughing in the former ward. Staff have also said the children like to play pranks. They also seem to be fascinated with technology, and staff often came to their desks to find fingerprints all over their computer screens.

People outside the museum have reported looking at the building at night and seeing children on the top floor waving at them.

Staff have also reported the sound of big band music playing in the building.

There is also the story of George. He was a man who was wheeled into the elevator before surgery. The elevator malfunctioned and he was dropped to the basement and suffered a severe head injury. He was found shuffling in the basement, but sadly died the following day.

Today, staff have reported the sound of shuffling in the basement, and even the voice of George saying hello to them.

Staff have also said the elevator will sometimes run on its own now, they will see blue lights floating down hallways and black shadows watching them while they work.

Next time you go explore Lethbridge’s history at the Galt Museum, keep an eye out for George, playful child ghosts and others still hanging around the very old building.