New website turns downtown Stratford into a mystery tour

Investigators Larissa Gossain and Jennefer Davis make a stop at Allen’s Alley while playing the Stratford Secret Society interactive web-based game earlier this month.

By: Amanda Nelson

A new website offers visitors and locals a downtown tour through a mystery game. The Stratford Secret Society is an interactive, self-guided mystery game and historical tour through downtown Stratford, Ont.

The website-based game blends local history, public art and landmarks with fictional storytelling, turning Stratford into an open-air investigative case file.

“I wanted to create a self-guided outdoor mystery game that allows tourists and residents to learn about the history of Stratford,” said Julia Paul, creator and founder of the Stratford Secret Society. “I wanted to create a new way for people to experience Stratford that combines storytelling and local history, and the excitement of solving a mystery.”

Now available is case file #001: The Missing Manuscript, which guides participants (called investigators on the site) through six real historical and scenic locations in Stratford and takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes to complete.

Once the clue is given on the website, investigators enter the hidden password to reveal the next clue for the next destination.

“My goal was to give people the opportunity to learn about the theatrical town before the Stratford Festival,” said Paul.

No tour guide or app is required; the game can be played at any time of day, on weekends or in the evening, and Paul said it’s a great opportunity for visitors to start it before heading to a show.

“Each location is laid out in a nice tour of downtown Stratford, ending at the Festival Theatre,” she said. “So it’s great for those who have tickets to a theatre performance and they’re looking for something to do in between or before. It’s something that you can work on all day as well. If you want to take a break and go have lunch, there’s no time limit on it.”

The goal is to uncover hidden local facts, decode clues and solve the mystery while experiencing the city’s architecture, river and theatre district, all while travelling along the city streets. Players use observation, clues and logic to navigate the city, complete the six challenges along the way and learn along the way.

“It’s great for tourists as well as locals who might want to see Stratford in a different way,” said Paul. “You walk past all of these landmarks, and maybe there’s some history about it that you don’t know. It’s good for families or friends who want to come and explore Stratford and have something fun to do.”

The initial case file is currently the only one available; however, the next case file will open soon, and Paul notes it’s based on Stratford’s train and railway history.

The interactive game is aimed at those eight years old and older and can be played by up to 10 players. Each case will be priced as released.

If you’d like to learn more, please visit www.stratfordsecretsociety.ca