Toronto’s Haunted Keg Mansion

Massey Family Household Ghosts and Hauntings

Paranormal activity is found in the former home of the prominent Massey family who founded the Massey Ferguson empire in Canada.

Located at 515 Jarvis street, Lord William McMaster, who founded McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario, built this mansion in the mid 1800s. Approximately 10 years later, he sold the property to Hart Massey who was the founder of Massey Ferguson and Massey Hall.

Two famous grandsons were Raymond Massey, the actor, and Vincent Massey who was the Governor General of Canada. This was a grand mansion where dignitaries and royal family members such King George IV and Queen Mary were entertained.

The building was bequeathed to the University of Toronto in the early 1900s and served as a radio station, then an art gallery until the 1960s. It was turned into a privately owned restaurant and then taken over by the Keg restaurants in the mid 1970s.

Washrooms in the Keg Mansion

Hart Massey's daughter Lillian Massey passed away on the second floor. Her ghost is seen wandering around that area. Her presence is felt in the second floor washroom. People have felt like they are being watched. There have been occasions when patrons have locked the bathroom door when using the facilities, only to hear the door being unlocked and sometimes open slightly.

Upon investigation, nobody was in the vicinity of the bathroom. Another patron reported that a bag she hung on a hook in the bathroom stall was lifted and set gently set down on the floor at her feet. Visitors have reported toilets that spontaneously flushed when nobody else was in the bathroom. In addition, toilet paper dispensers sometimes rattle in empty stalls.

Upper Floors of the Keg Mansion

Sounds of laughter have been heard from the upper floors when they are unoccupied. In addition, many people have heard the sounds of children playing. The ghost of a little boy has been seen running up and down the staircase. He stops on the stairs and looks out over the crowd of diners. Patrons and staff have seen spirits of domestic employees roaming around the mansion.

Main Foyer of the Keg Mansion

The most famous ghost is that of a maid of the Massey family who hung herself from the second floor oval opening in the main foyer. She can be seen with a noose hanging around her neck. It is believed she was an employee of Lillian Massey and committed suicide when she heard the news of her employer's death. It is also rumored that she had an affair with one of the Massey men and she was forced to hang herself in order to keep her pregnancy a secret.

Dining Area of the Keg Mansion

Patrons have reported the feeling of being watched, especially in the Parlour room. Some diners have seen the spirit of a man milling around and then he disappears without exiting through a door. There are intermittent cold drafts felt and lights flicker off and on for no apparent reason.

Even though the Massey family no longer owns the mansion, their spiritual presence and those of their household staff is felt. Customers may end up getting more than just a meal!