MID-ATLANTIC
Reynolds Tavern, Annapolis, MD: When you stay at Historic Reynolds Tavern, you may be cared for by the innkeepers, or by Mary Reynolds herself. Mary maintained the tavern until her death in 1785, yet some believe she has never left the building. Employees have heard her sing Christmas carols, experienced her “fixing” the grandfather clock in the dining room, and watched as she showed her dislike of new employees by breaking teapots and glasses. The Maryland Ghost and Spirit Association confirmed her presence with photographs and temperature readings, and exclaimed that Mary is not alone; they identified a total of five spirits in the house.
Main Street Manor, Flemington, NJ: A strange presence has been felt by guests of the inn, including an expert on ghosts. One woman asked if a baby had been born in her room, feeling the presence of mother and daughter. While no actual sightings have been reported, guests feel an ethereal presence here.
Manchester Inn, Ocean Grove, NJ: Check in to room 316, and ghosts may literally pull your leg. It’s been known to happen there, when a guest felt a tugging at her pants leg several times. Strange noises and disappearing shadows in the hallway are other indicators that friendly spirits inhabit this inn.
White Lilac Inn, Spring Lake, NJ: Many guests have smelled a floral scent on the staircase, always in the same place. The owners of the inn learned that former owner Sally Mann Randock Francis, now deceased, wore a floral perfume. Given the colorful nature of Sally’s residence at the inn, it is believed that she’s hanging on to insure guests share in the fun and frivolity that endured there during her lifetime.
Captain Schoonmaker’s B&B, High Falls, NY: Starting with the comment, “a funny thing happened last night,” guests often share tales of how a candle was lit, a light was turned on, or they heard footsteps when no one was there. In 1814, the 12-year-old son of the inn’s namesake, a Revolutionary War hero, died and was buried outside the inn. As mischievous as young boys are, the theory is this little boy is hanging around still having a little fun.
Borland House, Montgomery, NY: In the second chapter of her book, Back Into the Light, author and ghost investigator Linda Zimmermann tells of her team’s experiences here. In fact, there was enough ghostly activity to fill eight pages with tales and photos of ghostly sightings. Zimmerman concluded her chapter on Borland House by saying “Be without fear, as there is nothing harmful here, and go there with a sense of wonder and eagerness of getting a chance to experience something unique.”
1871 House, New York City, NY: One guest recounted a vivid story about awakening to find a well-dressed man wearing a bowler hat standing at the end of her bed. Strangely, she was not afraid and requested that he leave her alone. He slowly got up and left out the door, never to return.
Saratoga Farmstead, Saratoga Springs, NY: A young black boy and his enslaved mother hid in the attic during the Civil war and eventually died there. From then on, each time someone tried to climb up the attic stairs, the ghost of the boy stuck his arm out, tripping the intruder to protect his mother. During a session with paranormal experts, these ghosts were released to “the next level,” and folks no longer trip on these stairs.
Inn at Herr Ridge, Gettysburg, PA: Formerly known as Herr Tavern & Public House, the tavern here served as an impromptu field hospital for the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the Battle of Gettysburg. It appears that the spirits of the wounded soldiers are still enjoying the spirits at the tavern here. Innkeeper Steven Wolf said that once someone ordered a beer, but no one was there. Odd occurrences regularly happen, including mysterious whispers, calling the names of the employees, plus cold spots, glasses and silverware flying off tables, even knives and forks falling blade or prongs first into the floor. Occasionally, computers type gibberish on their own, extinguished lamps relight, and unexplained crashes occur in the kitchen. One employee was looking for a glass of water she had left sitting somewhere else; giving up, she returned to her desk to find it sitting there, frosted over. Steven Wolf attributes much of the activity to the “house ghost,” Frederick Herr, who purchased the tavern in 1828.
Mary-Penn B&B, Gettysburg, PA: With the history of the famous Civil War battle fought here, it’s no wonder that Gettysburg is one of the better known haunted destinations. A paranormal group recorded horse noises and voices in their basement, and from time to time, guests have claimed to experience friendly spirits.
Harry Packer Mansion, Jim Thorpe, PA: While the owners explain it’s not spooky inside, the facade of this pink mansion was used by Disney as a model for their haunted mansion. While ghost stories have been confined exclusively to the murder mysteries held here throughout the year, the owners are on the lookout for Disney personalities going bump in the night.
Inn at Jim Thorpe, Jim Thorpe, PA: Simply visit the inn’s website and click on the Ghost Stories button to learn about the antics of the friendly spirits here. Guests have caught unexplained images on digital cameras and one guest explained how the chair in his room turned upside down each time he tried to sleep. One guest even claimed that a ghost put his phone in the refrigerator.
Cornerstone B&B, Philadelphia, PA: A sweet, floral scent precedes sightings of a ghostly female shape at the Cornerstone. Innkeepers claim she is an ethereal presence, and her signature perfume always occurs as she gently taps the foreheads of those at the inn. Some claim she’s a resident angel; others feel she’s a ghost.
NEW ENGLAND
Captain Grant’s, Poquetanuck, CT: Visitors to this historic 1754 inn are told when they arrive that if they hear the loud knock at the door, they can answer if they like, but nobody will be there. Those who stay at the Adelaide Room are sure to have some contact with the mysterious woman and her two children who once lived there, whether it is through the TV turning on and off or the shower curtain continuously falling down. One guest even had her chapstick levitate out of her purse on a recent visit. While visiting, take a tour of the local cemeteries, also known to house their own ghostly dwellers.
Will a gentle push after a nightcap be your wakeup call in haunted room 43 at the Deerfield Inn? Photo courtesy Marti Mayne
Deerfield Inn, Deerfield, MA: With so much Colonial history preserved in Historic Deerfield’s living museum, it’s no surprise to learn that a number of colorful spirits are still hanging around. In fact, many of these spirits have been immortalized in the 101 different Martinis served here, all named after colorful Deerfield characters. Flashing lights, knocks on doors when no one is there, moving books, and tables moved into the middle of the room are regular occurrences here. From time to time, the innkeepers report a gentle shove in the back, indicating it is time to go to bed. For ghost-seekers, much of this other world activity occurs in rooms 41, 43 and 48. The ghost is believed to be the original owner of the house, Cora Carlisle, still hanging around to offer a little extra-worldly hospitality.
Penny House Inn, Eastham, MA: Home to the “Goodnight Ghost,” along with other playful spirits, ghost stories from this inn are well documented in Haunted Houses of Cape Cod. One ghost named Charlotte loves to turn the music up full blast in the inn’s on-site spa, so care is taken before every treatment to turn the music down. Charlotte loves the new spa, built in the oldest part of the inn dating back to 1690; her approval gives the spa positive energy.
Birchwood Inn, Lenox, MA: Certifiably haunted, the ghosts here date back to 1800. One guest swears a cat sat on his feet the first night, then it changed into a beautiful female apparition the second night. Few rooms at the inn have gone without ghost sightings. Come try your luck, and bring along some catnip.
Thaddeus Clapp House, Pittsfield, MA: Playwright Peter Bergman encountered the spirit that resides here when he was rehearsing a play in the B&B’s drawing room, where the original owners held “parlor plays” in the 1800s. This friendly spirit is a former member of the Clapp family, doing its best to welcome guests to their beloved home.
Emerson Inn by the Sea, Rockport, MA: Guests have shared photos of shadowy figures in the doorways, and staff tell stories of a dark shadow of a man seen at the left side of the building. Lights have been known to go on and off too; perhaps it’s the spirit of the famous philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, a former guest, simply turning off the light after a night of inspiration.
The Salem Inn, Salem, MA: While spirits fly throughout this town, made famous by its Colonial witch trials and spellbound attractions, stay in room 17 and you may just meet a female ghost, known as the “former scorned lover.” Guests have experienced everything from images of the woman in the room to the sensation of her sitting on them, unable to get up out of bed. Don’t miss Salem’s Halloween festivities, complete with bewitching parties and celebrations.
Nichols Guest House B&B, Seekonk, MA: Legend tells us that the original owner of this 200-year-old Colonial home took his own life. Shadows and strange sounds in the night, and lights mysteriously flickering on and off ensure that guests know that friendly spirits remain.
Colonial House Inn and Restaurant, Yarmouth Port, MA: There are many stories about haunted happenings at this inn. One guest recounted how he felt someone tapping him on the shoulder, and when he looked up he saw a transparent figure of a woman wearing a bonnet. A year or two after that, the same person staying in a different room felt pressure on his back; he saw a shadowy figure, very low to the ground, which quickly vanished from the room.
Coach Stop Inn, Bar Harbor, ME: The oldest lodging establishment on Mount Desert Island, this former tavern and coach stop is home to Abbe, a spirited little girl who loves music. Strange noises, flickering lights and fleeting reflections may be Abbe singing, or they may be additional spirits.
Chapman Inn, Bethel, ME: Young, female voices can be heard in guest rooms. Footsteps are heard when no one is there, and a black cat has been seen on numerous occasions exiting the room through a solid wall. So prevalent are the ghost sightings that the innkeepers have added a “Come Meet the Spirits” website page describing what to expect. The majority of ghost sightings occur in rooms 7 and 9. One woman described a woman who appeared before her in room 7 then disappeared through the wall. Paranormal groups have investigated and found that at least two entities still live in the house. Looking back at the history of the home, Fred, the owner, said that a longtime owner had a daughter who was in chronically poor health. The father brought a female companion into the house, who served as the child’s only friend and social outlet. After the daughter passed away at age 16, the companion stayed on and continued to live in the house until she died in 1957. Are the two companions still together in the home? This inn’s “certified haunted” designation would certainly indicate that.
Peace With-Inn, Fryeburg, ME: This Western Maine inn was home to one family for ten generations, starting in 1777, and continuing until Chester and Alice Black, the last family members in residence, died in the house in the mid-1970s. The present innkeepers consider the Blacks their “spiritual innkeepers” when they find decorations re-arranged and doors locked or hear floorboards creaking.
Greenville Inn, Greenville, ME: Last summer, a guest staying in the Carriage House Suite (an original part of the inn) reported in full detail about her encounter with a lovely young female ghost. The guest told of the sounds of the crinoline skirt swishing by, the cool breeze as the ghost passed by, and the door she opened. She concluded her story by asking everyone to be kind to this ghost, since she was “very sweet and lovely.”
Berry Manor Inn, Rockland, ME: When paranormal experts passed this historic inn, they saw three smiling women in the front window with their pinkies in the air. Guests have reported an unusual warm feeling, attributing it to friendly spirits.
Captain Lindsey House, Rockland, ME: Captain Lindsey is still hanging around the Captain Lindsey House, along with 35 other spirits, according to what he told the “spiritologists” on their recent visit to the inn. Included in the band of happy ghosts is the Captain himself, along with T. B. Severence, the 41-year-old who purchased the inn from George Lindsey in 1857; a dominant spirit named Ensign; a 5-year-old named Jeffrey and a 4-year-old named Emmy, both of whom are waiting for their father to come and get them. The majority of the spiritual activity takes place in the parlor, where glasses of water slide across tables, and doors have been known to slam on their own.
LimeRock Inn, Rockland, ME: When experts of the paranormal visited the LimeRock Inn, they felt the presence of many people in the front parlor – vestiges of the patients who once sat in the parlor waiting room, when the inn was home and office to Dr. Lawry, the local physician. A number of giggling phantoms played at the top of the stairs. Many of the presences at the LimeRock Inn gaze longingly out the windows. All are friendly, and it’s clear that happy family members are still hanging out here to welcome guests also in search of friendly spirits.
1794 WATCHTIDE…by the Sea, Searsport, ME: Spirits reside here playing music and pranks on innkeepers and guests. Their presence is gentle, and the innkeepers claim this is the perfect place to sleep with a spirit.
Carriage House Inn, Searsport, ME: Stories abound about the ghosts seen in the windows of this 1874 Victorian mansion. An expert on the paranormal verified there are at least two entities living here, both of whom experienced untimely deaths. The resident beagle shuns certain rooms and avoids the haunted staircase where someone died. The sounds of soft whispers, music, knocking, the smell of cigar smoke, and a feeling that “someone walked into my room” are common discussions at the breakfast table. For those who love a good ghoul, plenty of activity is guaranteed here.
Three Chimneys Inn, Durham, NH: Innkeeper Karen Meyer feels she has an “angel on her shoulder.” One night, after a long week, she received a clear message from her guardian angel. The office door was mysteriously locked after a long day, a strange phenomenon since the office can only be locked with a key, and no one with keys had locked it. To emphasize the message, the office computer, which remains on at all times, was also turned off. “Time to go home and relax” was the angelic message.
Sugar Hill Inn, Franconia, NH: One evening, an elderly couple came to visit and then disappeared through a locked door. Shadowy sightings of a male figure have been seen in the kitchen too, where the original owner of the inn passed away. Could he be coming back to check on the inn’s success?
Notchland Inn, Harts Location, NH: A frequently seen apparition is believed to be Nancy Barton, who died on the property in pursuit of her forlorn lover. One guest reported the name “Abigail” was written in the steam on the mirror in their bathroom when no one had taken a shower or bath in that room for several hours. Another guest woke up after an afternoon nap and noticed that someone had brought fresh flowers into the room while he was napping. When he went into the bathroom, he found someone had written “Happy Anniversary” on the mirror in lipstick. He went back into the bedroom, to find the flowers gone. He turned back into the bathroom, and the writing on the mirror had disappeared. Nancy may still be hanging around playing tricks on the men in retribution. Or could this ghost be Abigail? No one is really sure.
Inn at Jackson, Jackson, NH: Jason, once the trusted workman at the inn, committed suicide as a young adult yet returns to check on repairs at the inn. Guests have been awakened by a hammering noise, and the staff has caught glimpses of movement as they check on rooms, primarily on the second and third floor. Jason is a peaceful presence, bringing a smile to the innkeeper’s face as he explains his comings and goings. Jason is not the only ghost; the water mysteriously turns on and off in Room Two, perhaps at the hand of a ghostly old man.
Beal House Inn, Littleton, NH: Slamming doors and late-night stomping up and down stairs allow the haunted dwellers of this inn to make their presence known. Another time, the housekeeper felt a distinct hip check from one side to another, as if someone was pushing her aside. One night, when two guests were sitting in front of the fire enjoying tea, they clearly heard voices. The innkeepers recount stories of seeing a woman beckon from the end of the bed during the night.
Golden Stage Inn, Cavendish, VT: The innkeepers have become so familiar with the young friendly spirit who appears dressed in a traveling cloak and a large brimmed hat, that they’ve named him George. He appears often and sometimes plays tricks on the innkeepers. This Halloween, guests are invited to help decorate and come in disguise. Who knows, you might even get a glimpse of George.
Brass Lantern Inn, Stowe, VT: Inn guests who’ve seen paranormal activity vary the details slightly, but they always hear the noises coming from the same guest room. Some report hearing people arrive late in the night, speaking loudly, and talking about the good time they just had at a party. Yet in all cases, no guests were staying in the guest room or even in a nearby room.
Green Mountain Inn, Stowe, VT: “Boots” Berry, the tap dancing ghost and former local hero, can still be heard dancing on the third floor of the inn during severe winter storms. The son of the inn’s former horseman and chambermaid, Boots was born in Room 302 in 1840, and he grew up in and around the inn. One summer morning when the stagecoach team bolted, Boots bravely stopped a runaway stage, saving the lives of the passengers. Unfortunately, his heroism turned to too many congratulatory drinks, and Boots neglected his duties at the inn. Eventually he was dismissed and ended up in jail where he learned to tap dance, earning his nickname. Eventually, after jail, Boots drifted back to Stowe, shabby and poverty-stricken. At about the same time, a dreadful storm hit the town, and a little girl became stranded on the roof of the inn. Remembering his childhood days, Boots took a secret route to the roof and lowered the girl safely to the ground. Just as she reached safety, Boots slipped and fell to his death from the icy roof. His life had come full circle, for the roof he was standing on when he fell was the roof of Room 302. Want a chance to dance with Boots? Time your next visit with a winter storm and book Room 302.
White House Inn, Wilmington, VT: Originally called the House at Beaver Brook Farm, the White House Inn was built as a private summer home in 1915 for a wealthy lumber baron, Martin Brown. A secret stairway is still a popular architectural feature for guests, who’ve noted glimpses of a female ghost, believed to be Mrs Brown. It’s no wonder she wanted to stick around, the estate was built with its own indoor bowling alley and nine hole golf course. Perhaps she considers herself the “spare” spirit here.
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