How the S.K. Pierce Mansion Became One of the Most Haunted Homes in Massachusetts
More than 3,000 people have joined a waiting list to stay the night once the house is open to the public.
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Towering over the corner of West Broadway and Union Street in Gardner, Massachusetts, the S.K. Pierce Mansion demands attention. From the outside, with its gray siding and black shutters, the classic Victorian is the perfect archetype of a haunted house . Inside, things are even darker―so dark, in fact, that the couple who owned the home from 2008 to 2015 only lived there for two years before they felt they had no choice but to move out. But unlike most other notoriously haunted homes in the country , the S.K. Pierce Mansion was never the scene of any infamous crime. Rather, it was the dream home of a wealthy businessman and his family that, upon its completion in 1875, very quickly turned into a nightmare.
The mansion, which spans a daunting 6,661 square feet, is named after its original owner, the successful furniture manufacturer Sylvester Knowlton Pierce. Decked out with then state-of-the-art features including gas lighting in every room, a massive Winthrop furnace, and running water throughout, it was a marvel for its time. Pierce spared no expense when building the three-story home, but sadly, he barely had time to enjoy the fruits of his labor before tragedy struck. Just two weeks after moving in, Pierce's wife, Susan, died from a flesh-eating bacterial infection. Unfortunately, she would not be the last Pierce family member to die in the house.
After S.K. Pierce died (at home) in 1888, the house was willed to his second wife, Ellen Pierce, who also eventually died there. The mansion was then left to S.K.'s three sons, who spent years fighting over ownership of the family home and furniture business until the two eldest sons finally moved away. However, gaining control over the Victorian did not result in success or happiness for the youngest son, Edward Pierce. Tragically, his two-year-old daughter, Rachel Pierce, died in the home of a bacterial infection. Later, after the Great Depression depleted the family fortune, Edward and his wife converted the mansion into a boarding house to make ends meet. By 1965, the house was falling apart and Edward was forced to give it away to a friend, transferring ownership outside of the Pierce family for the first time since the house's construction.
The fifth and final person confirmed to have died in the mansion was Eino Sauri, a Gardener resident and World War II veteran who lived there during the years it was a boarding house. In 1963, he burned to death at age 49 in the main bedroom after his mattress mysteriously caught fire. Since then, several visitors and former residents describe having a similar experience in the main bedroom: Just for a second, they're met with the fleeting scent of something burning. The spirits of the late Pierce family members are said to make their presence known, too. There are many stories of a child-like spirit, thought to be Rachel Pierce, playing in the rooms on the third floor. Eerily, though, these five are not the only spirits lingering about the house.
Bones in the Basement: Surviving the S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion
In the two years that Edwin Gonzalez and Lillian Otero lived there (2009-2011), multiple neighbors described seeing a little boy with "yellow hair" running back and forth between their windows, which is decidedly more creepy when you consider the fact that the couple didn't have children. But their own personal experiences in the home were far more terrifying. In addition to disembodied footsteps, slamming doors and objects moving on their own, Edwin and Lillian encountered multiple entities throughout the house, including a shadow figure in the basement, and a dark-haired woman with a creepy smile who may or may not have tried to possess Lillian. Full of horrifying anecdotes like these, their story eventually became the subject of a book, Bones In The Basement by Joni Mayhan. (Spoiler: Yes, there were bones in the basement.)
Shadow figures and possessions aside, it's worth noting that not all of the ghosts at the S.K. Pierce Mansion are dark and menacing. Since the early 2000s, countless psychic mediums and paranormal investigative groups have visited the house, most of them describing the same few spirits each time, including Maddie Cornwall, the young nanny who cared for the Pierce children. It's believed that the mansion was the only place that really felt like home to her, and that her spirit acts as a protector of the house, keeping the other spirits in check and warding off any unwelcome trespassers. But soon the haunted Victorian will open its doors and invite the public in.
The current owners, who bought the home sight unseen in April 2015, plan to open it up for historical tours and overnight stays once they're finished renovating. According to Ken Watson , the home's curator, more than 3,000 people from all over the world have already joined the waiting list to spend the night. So, are you with them?
Curious to learn all the details of the S.K. Pierce Mansion and why it's one of the most haunted homes in the country? Listen to episode 5 of our new podcast, Dark House , for the full story and an exclusive interview with author and psychic medium Joni Mayhan , who shares an update on the hauntings at the mansion, her personal experiences with the ghosts there, and more.
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Worcester County Wonders: A terrifying trip to Gardner's S.K. Pierce Mansion
GARDNER ― For the last 14 years, Marion Luoma has been keeping a watchful eye as caretaker at the S.K. Pierce Mansion after the previous owners fled from the so-called haunted property. And for the last 14 years, she said she's seen it all.
"The first time I was ever afraid in the house, well of course it was in the basement," she said as she opened the door to the depths of the building. "I felt something tug on my jacket. I went flying backwards."
Luoma, who said she wasn't a believer when she first stepped into the mansion, explained that over the years she's had her hair pulled and she's been poked and pushed, but it was an apparition that appeared in front of her about eight years ago that sticks with her the most.
"I saw a floating head," she said in a matter-of-fact fashion. "It was a clear bubble about the size of a basketball, it stopped in front of me. When it turned and looked at me, I saw Mr. Pierce looking back. Suddenly the head flew into a wall and disappeared."
That same night, she said a paranormal investigator, whom she would not name, was thrown from the third-floor balcony by what they believe to be an angry spirit.
Over the years, nearly a dozen spirits have been identified in the house, but aside from the stories, it's easy to see from the outside of the property how one might perceive it to be haunted.
Built in 1875 by Sylvester Knowlton Pierce for his beloved wife, Susan, the home boasts 11-foot ceilings, 10 bedrooms and a now filled-in tunnel running between the home and the S.K. Pierce & Son Chair Co. across the street.
Tragedy struck just two weeks after Pierce, Susan and their young son moved in, when Susan died from some sort of bacterial infection. A year later Pierce remarried a younger woman named Ellen and the pair had two sons.
Over the years, the house was known as a meeting place for Freemasons and had quite a few famous visitors, said Louma. Bette Davis, Calvin Coolidge, P.T. Barnum and Norman Rockwell are all said to have visited the home. Unfortunately, there is very little documentation of their visits.
After Pierce and Ellen died, both in the house, the home was transformed into a boardinghouse by their youngest son, Edward, until the late 1960s. During his time running the property, his 2-year-old daughter, Rachel, died in the house from an unknown infection.
During its boardinghouse years, there were a number of strange incidents, including the legendary death of a Finnish World War II veteran, Eino Saari, who perished after a fire in his bedroom in 1963.
The original rumor was that the 47-year-old Saari spontaneously combusted and burned to death in bed. It is now believed that Saari, who was said to have drunk like a fish and smoked like a chimney, fell asleep while smoking in bed, causing the deadly fire. Walking into Saari's room now, a makeshift altar sits on the bureau, offering up small gifts like miniature bottles of booze and even an electronic cigarette for the afterlife.
In 2009, Lillian Otero and Edwin Gonzalez bought the large, then-yellow home, calling it their "dream home." After hearing voices, seeing various apparitions, finding bones in the basement and an alleged possession , the couple decided they'd had enough and left the property.
That's when the home was featured on the Travel Channel's " Ghost Adventures " to "communicate with these relentless spirits to better understand why they keep haunting Edwin and Lillian." Since then, hundreds of ghost hunters and paranormal investigators have visited the home in hopes of finding proof of the supernatural.
Eventually a book was written about Otero and Gonzalez and their experience in the home, " Bones in the Basement: Surviving the S.K. Pierce Haunted Mansion" by Joni Mayhan.
In 2015, the property once again exchanged hands, after Robert Conti, owner of The Dark Carnival , a 'traveling haunted circus' based in New Jersey, bought it for around $329,000, sight unseen and began restoring the historical home.
Ultimately, he plans to transform it into a haunted bed and breakfast. Those plans are still being finalized, while the waiting list to spend the night with the spirits has topped 10,000 according to Luoma.
Thanks to Jessica for her suggestion of the S.K. Pierce Mansion for this edition of Worcester County Wonders.
T&G engagement editor Sarah Barnacle is getting to know Central Mass. by exploring some of the best places to go and things to do in Worcester County. If you have an idea or suggestion, please email [email protected] .
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Worcester County Wonders: A treat of a time at Hebert's Candy Mansion
Worcester County Wonders: Order 'up' at George's Coney Island
Worcester County Wonders: History in every crevice of the Auburn Historical Museum
Haunted Pierce Mansion
Listed as the number two most haunted home in all of New England (which is no small feat considering the history of the area) and the ninth most haunted house in the United States, the Pierce Mansion is a haunted house for the ages. Constructed in the late 1880s, the Pierce Mansion sits as one of the area’s oldest and most paranormally active homes. Located in Gardner, Massachusetts, just over an hour from Boston, the home was built by successful businessman Sylvester Pierce after he achieved great fortune as the owner of the S.K. Pierce and Sons Furniture Company. His business’s success led to the entire city of Gardner being known as ‘Chair City.’
Massachusetts’ Haunted Victorian Gem
Sitting upon his hordes of cash, Sylvester Pierce decided it was time to build himself and his family a mansion that fit a man of his public stature. Situated on 4 W. Broadway Street, the mansion that followed was an architectural marvel for its time. It was nearly 7000 square feet and had ten bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 11-foot ceilings, and marble fireplaces throughout. It took over a year and a half for 100 construction workers to build. Hand-carved moldings and décor are seen throughout the entire home. Meticulous detail was number one to Sylvester Pierce, and each corner of the house is more ornate than the last, with extreme detail from the bathrooms to the servant’s quarters. Those who visited the home for dinner parties include former President Calvin Coolidge, Bette Davis, P.T. Barnum, and even Norman Rockwell. The home also served as a well-known meeting place for the secretive Freemason Society.
Tragedy Befalls The Pierce Household
Sylvester, his wife Susan, and their son held big hopes when moving into this one-of-a-kind home, but those dreams fell apart when just weeks after moving in, Susan Pierce mysteriously succumbed to a bacterial illness. After a year of mourning, Pierce married a woman named Ellen, a woman 30 years younger, and had two more children. Both Susan and Sylvester didn’t spend much time in their mansion, unfortunately, as Sylvester passed away himself a few years later in 1888, leaving behind his new wife and their three sons. When Ellen herself passed away years later, the three Pierce sons began to bicker and argue about ownership of the furniture business. The Great Depression ended up stifling the business, and eventually, Sylvester’s youngest son Edward took control of the mansion.
Hard times hit the family, and the fortune began to dwindle. Edward turned the mansion into a boarding home to bring in some extra income, where unsavory activities began to occur, such as prostitution, gambling, and heavy drinking. Even tales of murder arose from the saddened home, with a story of a prostitute being strangled in the infamous red bedroom on the second floor. Another tragedy was reported as well when a boarder, a Finnish immigrant named Eino Saari, burned to death in the master bedroom in 1963. Some believe that spontaneous combustion occurs in the home and is what caused Saari’s death, considering there was minor damage to the surrounding rooms. Yet another death occurred when reports of a young boy who was drowned in the basement began to surface.
What is it about this mansion? Could it be that its very first weeks were filled with misery, sickness, and death? Over the following years, guests of the mansion suggested that it is overflowing with paranormal activity. Boarders have encountered the spirits of Sylvester Pierce, his wife, and their son Edward. The alleged murdered prostitute, her murderer, a young boy, and a young girl have also been reported throughout the Pierce Mansion. Over the years, and in different owners’ hands, seven reported deaths have been documented in the home.
Paranormal Happenings At the Pierce Home
Guests have experienced it all here; you name it, the Pierce Mansion has provided it. Everything from voices, chanting, full-body apparitions, moving furniture, slamming doors, temperature changes, shadow people, foul odors, screens flying off of the windows, footsteps on the stairs, and an ominous lion’s roar that shakes the house have all been reported. Many believe that the roar comes from Sylvester Pierce’s spirit to show his displeasure with the home and how his life there turned out. He sees others enjoying the mansion, while he and his family had nothing but heartache here. Some visitors have felt the pressure of hands pushing against them; one visitor even reported the feeling of being pushed on the stairs, while another reported they were almost forced out of a third-floor window. Paranormal experts who visit the mansion have said that the entities here are some of the most powerful they have witnessed. They are capable of harnessing the electrical power in the home and use it to move large objects.
More recently, a woman named Lillian moved into the home with her husband Edwin, unaware of the history. Just a few weeks following her arrival, she began to experience strange and unexplained things within the walls of Pierce Mansion. She started to hear chants and whispers, which soon turned into screams and banging on the bedroom walls. They began to see apparitions in the halls, which beckoned them and called their names. The house had already made a paranormal name for itself, and a paranormal investigation group came in and asked the spirits here who the owner of the house was. Unsurprisingly, the ghosts here responded with ‘Lillian.’
Video evidence of the hauntings at Pierce Mansion are scattered throughout the internet, and a quick google search will bring up pages of investigative evidence.
A plethora of paranormal investigative teams have been to the mansion, including Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, and My Ghost Story. Investigators have borne witness to the most hair-raising phenomena, such as disembodied voices saying that they would like to ‘squeeze every throat.’ The most concerning aspect of the haunting seems to be the foul odors detected by visitors all throughout the mansion. It’s well known in the paranormal world that foul and sulfur smells are linked with negative and sometimes demonic entities. Could the old home just have a strange smell? Of course, but with all of the happenings here, one begins to wonder why the home attracts such tragedy. Is the land the home sits upon cursed? Was Sylvester Pierce himself cursed? Could his wife’s death and the sadness that followed just have left an extremely negative energetic imprint on the home? It seems as if when talking of the haunted Pierce Mansion, we are left with more questions than answers. Perhaps our questions can be answered when we look to an insider’s view on what life in the mansion was like. A book named Haunted Massachusetts and Bones in the Basement: Surviving the SK Pierce Haunted Victorian is a book written by Joni Mayhan, who chronicles the previous owner’s experiences from within the home. The book truly tells the tale from the homeowners’ perspective, from the feelings they got when buying the home to the horrifying experiences they had while living inside it. If you’d like to learn about other haunted places in Massachusetts, check out our Haunted Inns in Massachusetts article as well as our Haunted Massachusetts road trip blog!
Sources Cited:
https://awesomejelly.com/this-stunningly-creepy-1875-victorian-mansion-is-one-of-the-most-haunted-in-new-england/
https://skhauntedvictorianmansion.com
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/4-W-Broadway_Gardner_MA_01440_M44538-01529
Tour the S.K. Pierce Haunted Mansion in Gardner, where guests must sign a waiver to enter (photos)
- Published: Aug. 30, 2016, 10:30 a.m.
- Michelle Williams | [email protected]
GARDNER -- On Broadway Street, one house on the block is unlike the others.
The S.K. Pierce Haunted Mansion is a 6,661-square-foot Victorian. It was built in 1875 by Sylvester Pierce, across the street from his successful furniture business, S.K. Pierce and Sons Furniture Company.
It features 10 bedrooms - five for his family, five for live-in servants - marble fireplaces, hand-carved moldings and more than 70 windows. It has developed a dark history over the years. Within one of the bedrooms, it's believed three women died - two wives of Pierce and a prostitute.
During the house's many lives - from being used as a private residence to temporarily serving as a boarding house - it has welcomed many visitors. Former President Calvin Coolidge is said to have been a guest in the home while he was still a resident of Massachusetts, and Norman Rockwell is believed to have worked from the mansion during his lifetime.
More than a half-dozen deaths are said to have taken place in the house, from a young boy drowning in the basement to a man burning to death in the master bedroom a half-century ago.
People inside the house over the years have claimed to see the ghosts of S.K. Pierce, his wives, and a pair of young children. People allege they've heard voices inside the house, doors slam and felt the present of an otherly being when alone in a room.
The home was purchased last year by Robert Conti, of New Jersey, who intends to turn the home into a haunted mansion. Before entering the mansion, visitors will be required to sign an injury waiver.
The mansion is currently under renovations.
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SK Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion
4 W Broadway, Gardner , Massachusetts 01440 USA
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Learn more about this business on Yelp .
“with a long and colorful history”
Welcome to the Haunted Victorian Mansion in Gardner, MA, also known as the S.K. Pierce Mansion. When you think of haunted places in New England, one place that comes to mind is the very haunted Victorian mansion in Gardner, MA. Built in 1875, it has a long and colorful history, including rumors of murder and suspicious deaths. It is no wonder that many of its inhabitants are ghosts who have decided not to move out. Sylvester Knowlton Pierce was, by the middle of the 19th century, one of the richest men in the entire county. He was born in Westminster, MA, on April 11, 1820, the seventh child of Jonas Pierce. Because his father died when the boy was but three years old, S.K. Pierce had a hard life ahead of him, which formed his character and paved the way for his success. He and his brother bought a factory at age 20, and in a few short years he was a multi-millionaire ($2.5 million in sales in the 1870s and 80s). Mr. Pierce was to become the founder of the SK Pierce & Son Chair Company. In 1875, S.K. Pierce built a 3-story mansion in the town of Gardner, still celebrated as the furniture capital of New England, about 60 miles from Boston. He purchased a circa 1820 house on the corner of Union Street and West Broadway, moved the house and built his mansion on its foundation. The mansion took 1.5 years to build, with 200 men working around the clock. After its completion, the mansion was considered a modern marvel of its time, complete with a cistern that caught rainwater in the attic for the various sinks throughout the house. Mr. Pierce also had a tunnel constructed in the basement of the mansion that led directly underneath the front entrance to his chair factory across the street. S.K. Pierce spared no expense in creating the perfect home for his family. The massive ornate windows incorporate several different types of exotic wood for their design.
Reviewed by Reyna A.
If you are interested in visiting a hunted mansion, this is a must! The experience is priceless the tour guide was amazing! Honestly they should charge more for what you get out of it. They... Read more
Reviewed by Jennifer S.
We had a private tour of the mansion today and it was amazing. The curator, Ken, and wife, psychic medium Memie, were authentic, friendly, and told us of a lot of circumstances when paranormal... Read more
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1 hr 16 min
The Haunted S.K. Pierce Mansion Morbid
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In the spring of 2009, Edwin Gonzalez and his girlfriend, Lillian Otero, fled their house in Gardner, MA, less than one year after moving into what they believed was their dream home. Later, once they were safely away from the old Victorian, Gonzalez and Otero would explain to friends and family that they had been driven out by angry ghosts who had done everything—including possessing Lillian—in order to torment them, leaving them no other options than to abandon the house that had once held such promise. Although they didn’t know it when they moved in, Gonzalez and Otero’s home, the S.K. Pierce Mansion, had long been considered by locals to be haunted. Indeed, in its more than one-hundred-year history, the Victorian home had seen more than its fair share of tragedies, including several deaths in the house as recent as the 1960s, as well as countless other unsavory myths and legends. Thank you to Dave White for research assistance. References City of Gardner. n.d. History. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://www.gardner-ma.gov/316/History. Discovery Channel. 2013. "Haunted Victorian." A Haunting. New York, NY: Discovery Channel, October 19. Farragher, Thomas. 2022. "Want to be a ghost host? Come to Gardner." Boston Globe, August 20: B1. Fiorentino, Alyssa. 2021. How the S.K. Pierce Mansion became one of the most haunted homes in Massachusetts. October 27. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/a38046654/sk-pierce-haunted-victorian-mansion/. Fitchburg Sentinel. 1963. "Gardner man, 47, dies in room fire." Fitchburg Sentinel, April 9: 11. —. 1891. "Notes." Fitchburg Sentinel, December 8: 2. Gelinas, Brian. 2012. "Group of ghost hunting enthusiasts converge on Gardner mansion." Athol News, October 6: 1. Gershon, Livia. 2006. Ghost hunters. July 28. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://www.thegardnernews.com/story/news/2006/07/28/ghost-hunters/11341583007/. Ilinitch, Shawn. 2003. Psychic profiler detects spirits in South Gardner home. October 31. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://www.thegardnernews.com/story/news/2003/11/01/psychic-profiler-detects-spirits-in/11284159007/. Landry, Stephen. 2021. "Debunking rumors about the S.K. Pierce Mansion." Gardner News, September 22. —. 2020. "New book details history of S.K. Pierce Mansion." Gardner News, September 25. Pelletiere, Nicole. 2016. Homeowner to turn 'haunted' mansion into scary attraction. September 2. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/homeowner-turn-haunted-mansion-scary-attraction/story?id=41769810. SK Haunted Victorian Mansion. 2023. The Mansion. Accessed August 2, 2023. https://www.skhauntedvictorianmansion.com/index.html. Stanway, Eric. 2013. The Victorian. September: Independent. —. 2013. "Gardner mansion shelters ghostly past." Worcester Telegram and Gazette, July 10. Zillow. 2023. 4 West Broadway, Gardner, MA. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4-West-Broadway-Gardner-MA-01440/57587523_zpid/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Would You Buy This Famously Haunted Victorian Mansion for Sale in Massachusetts?
One man did ... so he could turn it into a creepy tourist attraction.
Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
Original, April 17, 2015: This stunning Victorian home for sale in Gardner, Massachusetts has a lot going for it: intricate woodwork, original details including windows, doorknobs, and marble fireplaces, a stately grand staircase, and a classic Mansard roof. Its less desirable features include the possibility of a few ghostly residents.
The historic home, built in 1875 by the wealthy businessman Sylvester Knowlton Pierce, has a storied history: Norman Rockwell, Calvin Coolidge, Bette Davis, and P. T. Barnum have reportedly all spent time in the home, and it has served as a well-known meeting place for Freemasons , according to the current owner. The S.K. Pierce property has also been well-documented over the years as being one of America's most haunted homes , appearing on shows like Ghost Hunters , Ghost Adventure , My Ghost Story , and 10 Most Haunted Places in New England, and in books including Bones in the Basement: Surviving the S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion and Haunted Massachusetts .
So who exactly is haunting this home's hallways? In addition to S.K. Pierce and several other members of the Pierce family, the are also ghostly reports of a nanny, a little boy who appears in mirrors, and a murdered prostitute (the house was later turned into a brothel).
RELATED: 4 Spooky Southern Mansions for Sale
Don't believe in ghosts but love historic properties? Then this might be the home for you! The 10-bedroom, 6,661-square-foot home is listed for $329,000. Take a look inside:
At least there doesn't seem to be any eerie apparitions lurking around in the listing photos—though the picture of the doll displayed in the vintage carriage isjust a bit unsettling.
Read more about the history of the S.K. Pierce House on Zillow , and see the full listing at Estately .
TELL US: Would you ever move into a house that was rumored to be haunted?
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Lauren (she/her) is the digital content director of the Hearst Lifestyle Group, where she oversees online content and strategy for Good Housekeeping , Woman's Day and other Hearst titles, including SEO, video, social media and e-commerce efforts. She has almost 20 years of experience writing and editing beauty, lifestyle, home, health, entertainment and product review content. She graduated from NYU with a degree in journalism and history.
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Haunted Places in Gardner, Massachusetts
S.K. Pierce Mansion - Haunted Victorian Mansion
Gardner, massachusetts.
S.K. Pierce Mansion was owned by the wealthy Sylvester Knowlton Pierce, founder of the SK Pierce & Son Chair Company. It was built in 1875 and was originally located at 21 Union Street, but was moved to where it now stands shortly thereafter. The home had some famous guests, such ...
New Boston Cemetery
Winchendon, massachusetts.
New Boston was a village that was practically erased from existence to make room for the 1940s Birch Hill Dam flood control project. This cemetery, which lies within the Otter River State Forest, is just about all that is left of the town. Legend has it that it is haunted, ...
Dean Hill Revolutionary Cemetery - The Rev
Fitchburg, massachusetts.
Dean Hill Revolutionary Cemetery is also know to locals as The Rev. It's unknown whether it's soldiers or more sinister entities that haunt the place, but there are rumors of satanic practices and eerie feelings coming over its visitors. Some have heard loud screams at night. Local tales say a ...
Old Centre - Old Royalston Cemetery
Royalston, massachusetts.
The tiny cemetery surrounded by a short stone wall is said to be haunted. Folks have reported seeing a misty woman with long blonde hair and a black shadowy figure that moves very quickly. Also reported have been cold spots and uncomfortable feelings of being watched or even touched.
Lucky Lanes
Athol, massachusetts.
Lucky Lanes Bowling Alley was once a movie theater called the York. Legend has it that a bomb blew up here, and the victims are still in the building. Footsteps, children's laughter and moving objects have been reported here. Another story says a woman hanged herself in the building, and ...
Franklin Pierce College - The Manor - Peterson Hall
Rindge, new hampshire.
Franklin Pierce College's The Manor, aka Peterson Hall, was once a brothel run by an Edna McGuinness. Her large portrait is said to still hang in the stairwell leading to the second floor. Edna's apparition has been seen looking out the window and a piano has been heard playing although ...
Amos J. Blake House Museum
Fitzwilliam, new hampshire.
This 1837 house museum is visited by a ghostly cat that appears as a misty ball of fuzz, an apparition of a young boy, objects that move by themselves, and strange voices and sounds, like that of sleigh bells. Some visitors have experienced uneasiness and even nausea inside the house.
Blood Town Forest
Lancaster, massachusetts.
Legend has it that a young man and woman were killed here while camping in the forest. There is said to be a rock near the entrance that tells the story, but this may or may not be true. Some say the forest really got its name strictly because the ...
Reed Homestead
Townsend, massachusetts.
At the Reed Homestead, explored by TV's Ghost Hunters, four generations of the Oliver Reed family have resided. It was built in 1809 and contains murals believed to have been created by Rufus Porter, painter, inventor and founder of The Scientific American Magazine, a Victorian garden and examples of early ...
The Cooperage
The Cooperage, explored by TV's Ghost Hunters, was built in 1733 as a mill. In the mid-1800s it was a barrel-making business, and later, a restaurant and a gift/antique shop (it's most recent incarnation). Apparitions, voices and footsteps are among the eerie things often reported here.
Anna Maria College
Paxton, massachusetts.
Anna Maria College is believed to be haunted, but the college has somewhat of an affinity for its ghosts. At the Zecco Performing Arts Center, according to resports, two seats are kept open at each performance for ghostly visitors.
Benson Road Cemetery
Richmond, new hampshire.
This cemetery dates back to the 1700's mostly of the Ballou family. Strange light anomaly along with evps. Also captured a fully body apparition on trailcam placed in the open underground crypt. This road is off route 119 then onto fish hatchery road where benson road is on the right. VERY ...
Fort Devens
Devens, massachusetts.
Fort Devens, named for Civil War general Charles Devens, is now the Devens Reserve Forces Training Area. Reports say that in the older, unused buildings, unexplained flashing lights have been noticed at night. And piano playing has been heard coming from the defunct movie house.
Higgins Armory Museum
Worcester, massachusetts.
Explored on an episode of TV's Ghost Hunters, Higgins Armory Museum is said to be haunted. Witnesses have seen apparitions and black shadows and heard unexplained footsteps, clanging and music, as well as being touched by something unseen.
Vale End Cemetery
Wilton, new hampshire.
The Blue Lady is the famous ghost of Vale End Cemetery, thought to be Mary Ritter, who passed away in 1808, some say, because her husband buried her alive. Others say she was murdered by a devil-worshipping cult. Her ghost appears as a blue, human-sized light over her grave, usually ...
Pine Grove Cemetery
Spencer, massachusetts.
Who is the Dark Hunter? It's the name given to the entity said to haunt the Pine Grove Cemetery, keeping an eye on those who visit.
Palladium Theatre
The 1928 Palladium Theater, witnesses say, is haunted by something that creates disembodied footsteps and a floating orb the size of a soccer ball. Even more eerie, rumor has it that dead bodies were discovered in a dressing room a couple decades ago. The site has been featured on an ...
Hope Cemetery
Rumor has it that apparitions and the sound of children laughing can be seen and heard near this cemetery's statue of Jesus holding an angel.
Lorden Plaza
Milford, new hampshire.
Folks here have noticed an apparition of a man in blue jeans and a plaid flannel shirt with a tape measure on his belt. He walked along the plaza, disappearing into a plywood wall.
Gilson Road Cemetery
Nashua, new hampshire.
Misty apparitions have been reported at this early-1800s cemetery, along with a strange feeling like you are walking through water. Voices are reported to come from the back right corner and a figure in a black hood has been seen. Folks who live in the subdivisions that have cropped up ...
Pine Hill Cemetery - Blood Cemetery
Hollis, new hampshire.
Pine Hill Cemetery, also known as Blood Cemetery because of the name Abel Blood on a tombstone, is reported to be haunted by the entire Blood family who were allegedly murdered in the 1800s. The spirit of the little boy of the family has been seen by drivers passing by ...
Indian Rock Road
The dark wooded road reportedly leads to a meadow, a popular teen hangout. It is said to have cold spots and a malevolent force that watches over everyone there.
Huntress Hall - Keene State College
Keene, new hampshire.
Built in 1926, this college dorm is said to be haunted by Harriet Huntress herself, the board-of-education higher-up for whom the dorm was named. Strange noises have come from the attic, where it is reported that Ms. Huntress' wheelchair still sits.
Country Tavern
The historic Country Tavern restaurant is housed in a place that was built in 1741 and was once owned by English sea captain Ford and his young wife Elizabeth. Legend has it that when he was off to sea for an extended time, he came home to find Elizabeth had ...
Sumner Knight Chapel - Woodland Cemetery
It is said that an unhappy spirit resides in the chapel, and outside resides a spirit of a little girl who has been heard giggling. Most interestingly, it is said that those who use curse words near the chapel will find that they have the taste of soap in their ...
Clapp Memorial Library
Belchertown, massachusetts.
A night custodian here has witnessed apparitions on the stairs, cold spots, and books that slide in and out of shelves on their own. Rumor has it that the ghost in residence is deceased former librarian Lydia Barton. The library has been featured on TV's Ghost Hunters.
Belchertown State School
The original name when it was established in 1922 was the Belchertown State School for the Feeble-Minded, and and certain times in its history it was known for poor treatment of its charges. Trespassing is not allowed on the property. Witnesses say it is haunted by this tragic past, citing ...
Longfellow's Wayside Inn
Sudbury, massachusetts.
At this 1716 inn, it is said that a woman named Jerusha Howe lingers, especially in Rooms 7 and 9. She is said to have been unlucky in her love life, and therefore likes to touch male visitors. Author Henry W. Longfellow wrote a book about the inn in the ...
Deerfield Inn
Deerfield, massachusetts.
The historic inn was built in 1884, and has been restored and renovated to its former glory by the current inn owners. Guests and staff alike have reported paranormal activity in the inn, including lights turning on and off, strange knocking noises and furniture that moves around by itself. Guests ...
The Common Man Restauruant
Merrimack, new hampshire.
The Common Man Tavern was built by Matthew Thornton in 1797 as a wedding present for his son James. But a few years later, James committed suicide. Today, witnesses report ghostly footsteps and several apparitions, but not ones belonging to James. Folks have seen a Native American, a little girl, ...
Bainbridge’s - Aprile's European Restaurant
Chelmsford, massachusetts.
The former Bainbridge's, now Aprile's European Restaurant, may serve up a surprise or two to its customers. Folks say it has pictures that move, a woman's spirit that cries, and ghostly children who play in the overnight hours.
Eunice Williams Covered Bridge - Pumping Station Bridge
Greenfield, massachusetts.
The Eunice Williams, or Green River Pumping Station, Covered Bridge is said to be haunted by Eunice Williams, the reverend's wife who lived nearby in the 1600s. It happened when French soldiers and Indians raided the area and hacked Eunice to death just hours after she had given birth. The ...
Mary Belanger House
Lowell, massachusetts.
This is the house where a woman named Mary Belanger supposedly died when she fell into the fire pit in the back yard and burned to death. Events such as visible apparitions and floating objects support this claim. I also took a photo in the cellar that captures an ...
Madame Sherri's Castle
Chesterfield, new hampshire.
Famous for its arched stone staircase in the middle of the forest, Madame Sherri's castle is also legendary for its rumors of ghosts. Madame Antoinette Sherri was a costume designer who planned to build a castle here in the late 1920s, but she ran out of funds and the castle ...
Tortilla Flat
At the Mexican Restaurant Tortilla Flat, believed to be haunted, witnesses have seen strange phenomena such as shadow figures and objects that move about on their own.
Concord's Colonial Inn
Concord, massachusetts.
TV's Ghost Hunters has featured this inn, at which Room 24 is said to be haunted by a ghost.
Framingham State University
Framingham, massachusetts.
At Framingham State University, visitors may hear ghostly laughter or feel cold spots, and orbs are often photographed at Horace Mann Hall. And in Peirce Hall, residents have awoken to find all the mirrors in the rooms have been stacked outside in the hallways, piled with the reflective sides facing ...
Stone's Public House
Ashland, massachusetts.
Built in 1834, Stone's Public House is said to be haunted by apparitions and spirits who throw glasses off shelves. The portraits are said to watch guests and employees as they go about their business, and doors open and close on their own. Visitors to the upstairs function room describe ...
Riverside Hotel
Gardner, new hampshire.
Folks here have seen strange flashing lights and heard the sounds of a baby crying and an eerie screeching.
Old Dudley Road
Billerica, massachusetts.
Although the New Dudley Oxford Road is in use today, its ancestor, the Old Dudley Oxford Road, still exists for about a mile. Apparently unable to quit his favorite route, a spectral horseback rider in Colonial garb is said to patrol the remains of the old road.
Sessions House
Northampton, massachusetts.
The historic Sessions House dorm at Smith College campus was originally built in 1710 with a secret passageway inside which the owners could hide from attacking Native Americans. It's haunted by original builder Captain Jonathan Hunt's granddaughter Lucy and her lover, Johnny Burgoyne, a British general whom she met when ...
The Village Inn
Dracut, massachusetts.
The restaurant here is said to be haunted by a little boy and a little girl. The boy hangs out in the lounge area, but he runs away whenever anyone comes near him. The little girl is seen walking through a tunnel that runs between the restaurant and the barn ...
Regis College
Weston, massachusetts.
Regis College's haunted College Hall, built in the late 1920s, is rumored to have several ghosts in residence, including a roaming cold spot. A former piano teacher opens and closes doors and occasionally plays the piano, and the fourth floor is home to some spectral nuns, students say.
Murray Hall
Marlow, new hampshire.
Legend has it that at a 1624 Halloween party ended in disaster when a fire burned the building and killed 70 partygoers. Apparitions of many costumed characters have been reported, as well as a sense of being watched.
Holiday Inn Tewksbury
Tewksbury, massachusetts.
An apparition moves from the ballroom to the hall, and can only be seen out of the corner of the eye. When you turn to look at it, it vanishes.
Tewksbury Cemetery
Locals tell of a ghostly white woman who walks here, as well as a dark, leather-skinned creature who follows guests through the graveyard.
Palace Theatre
Manchester, new hampshire.
Palace Theatre opened in 1915 and is now restored, and is rumored to be haunted by a female apparition who appears on the stage. Paranormal activity is known to happen in the balcony and backstage as well. The theater has been featured on an episode of TV's Ghost Hunters.
The Pines Cemetery
The Pines is the old cemetery from Tewksbury State Hospital. There are numbered markers here for over 10,000 individuals who died at the hospital. It is rumored that many bodies were exhumed and taken to Boston for medical students to train on. The cemetery is located in the woods and is ...
Windham Restaurant
Windham, new hampshire.
Windham Restaurant is housed in a former 1812 home once owned by the Dinsmore family. Witnesses here have noticed something playing with their hair (especially blondes), cold chills, something unseen that unclasps their jewelry and moves objects in the house. Prop Christmas packages are moved by a prankish spirit and ...
J. Michael's Family Sports Pub
Once Numero's Mexican Restaurant, once with apparitions on the second floor, footsteps in the attic, lights that worked on their own and silverware that jumped off tables, the place has was renovated and is now J. Michael's Family Sports Pub. No hauntings have been reported since the renovations.
» Cemeteries near Gardner, MA » Find museums in Gardner, MA
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For the bravest of the brave, the SK Haunted Victorian Mansion is available for overnight, weekly and monthly rentals. Do not miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience.
The paranormal activity within these walls has proven to be increased significantly during the midnight hours. For your own safety, please do not antagonize the spirits of this home in any way. Detailed injury and safety waivers must be signed prior to entering the home.
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New England Wanderlust
Fall , Massachusetts · August 17, 2022
19 Best Haunted Houses In Massachusetts + Spooky Tours & Sites To Visit (2024)
No place does Halloween quite like New England, and Massachusetts especially puts on quite a show during the month of October, including the festivities in Salem and the haunted hotels of Boston. Beyond that, there are so many amazing haunted houses and tours to experience, and this post is rounding up all the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, including spooky tours, corn mazes and haunted places you can visit. Each experience is sure to deliver all the chills and goosebumps you’re hoping for this Halloween season!
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Best Haunted Houses In Massachusetts
Here is my list of all the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, and I’ve created separate sections for those looking for haunted houses in Salem to make it easier to plan you itinerary. If it’s haunted hayrides, corn mazes and tours you’re after, be sure to keep reading to learn about some of the best and scariest places to visit in Massachusetts!
1. Factory Of Terror – Fall River, MA
Located just a few minutes on foot from the Lizzie Borden house (which is featured later in this list, stay tuned!), is the Factory Of Terror Haunted House . Regarded as one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, it’s also one of the largest in all of New England, providing the ultimate scary experience.
This haunted house experience starts while you wait in line, as you’ll be greeted by ghosts and ghouls before even entering the house. Once inside, it takes about 20-30 minutes to get through, depending on how quickly you walk (and how easily you scare).
Location Tip: This can easily be combined with a tour of the Lizzie Borden house, and another nearby haunted house experience, The Haunted House on Raymond Street .
Note : There is a waiver that all visitors must sign prior to entry into Factory of Terror. Visit their website to complete this after purchasing your tickets to ensure smooth entry upon arrival.
2. Fear Town – Seekonk, MA
About 1 hour from Boston is Fear Town , another one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, and also one of the longest in all of New England. It’s also a destination in and of itself because on the grounds, you’ll find a midway with games, food and additional entertainment.
Fear Town is an outdoor haunted park with 3 haunted houses to walk through. In total, it takes about 45 minutes to complete, making this one a must-see.
Tip : This haunted house does not have any age restrictions, however, it’s so scary that they don’t typically recommend it for children under 12 years of age.
3. Barrett’s Haunted Mansion – Abington, MA
At Barrett’s Haunted Mansion, you get admission to two attractions for the price of one, making this one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts. Visitors with tickets to Barrett’s will be able to walk through both the haunted mansion, as well as Condemned, a newer haunted experience at the same place. The haunted mansion takes about 15 minutes or so to walk through, but many say it feels much longer!
Barrett’s also has some really cool packages to consider when you book your admission, including Bite & Fright, which includes dinner at the nearby Ale House (taxes and gratuities included!), as well as a Lights-On tour, which takes you behind the scenes of the haunted house.
Tip : Tickets for Barrett’s Haunted Mansion must be purchased ahead of time online.
4. DementedFX – Holyoke, MA
Regarded as one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, and the entire country, DementedFX pretty much guarantees a few screams at minimum. During your visit to DementedFX, you’ll be able to walk through both the BioMed Corps Haunted House, and the Meat Tank Horror Experience, both featuring Hollywood-caliber sets and props, as well as interactive video.
Visitors also have the option to purchase VIP tickets, which grants you access to a lounge and two fully-stocked bars so you can take the edge off after your haunted tours, and celebrate spooky season well into the night.
5. 13th World Fright Park – Palmer, MA
13th World Fright Park sends visitors through their haunted house one at a time, so if that doesn’t make it one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, I’m not sure what does! 13th World has two attractions to experience during your visit, and the one aptly called Alone is the tour that sends visitors in one by one.
The other tour at 13th World is Chamber of Lost Souls, which includes a special fog effect for extra spooks and scares. The first weekend in November, this attraction also does a Blackout night, where each tour is completely pitch black.
6. First Parish Church in Bedford
For a spooktacular night of thrilling performances, the First Parish Church in Bedford is not to be missed. Spanning three floors of the historic church, this fantastic haunted house has a limited run for one weekend only in October each year.
This Haunted House promises the inside scoop on how Sweeney Todd makes his infamous meat pies, rides of the Hellavator, as well as multiple themed rooms, each with a different story to tell. The theme changes every year, so even if you’ve been before, you’ll find something different on your next visit.
Looking for a non-scary night? First Parish has you covered! Be sure to check out their kid-friendly Trick-or-Treat event, where actors will hand out candy with all the lights on, so no one has to wonder what’s going bump in the night. Check out their website here for more information.
2023 Dates : Friday and Saturday, October 13th & 14th.
Best Haunted Houses In Salem, MA
7. gallows hill museum & theater.
One of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts is the Gallows Hill Museum & Theater , which puts on scary and thrilling performances year-round using the very real history of the Salem Witch Trials. However, during the month of October during Haunted Happenings in Salem, they also have additional attractions, including a very scary haunted house. It’s so scary, in fact, that it may not be suitable for children.
Gallows Hill gets extra points for being one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts because it also has an option for an actual ghost hunt with a paranormal specialist. Visitors can visit the haunted house, and then book a 90-minute after-hours ghost hunting tour, where you’ll learn all about detecting paranormal activity, and hunt down ghosts with your group.
Psst! I have some helpful guides including planning the perfect Salem, MA day trip , and the best time to visit Salem if you need more information 😉
Best Haunted Houses Near Boston
Boston doesn’t have any haunted houses right in the city, but the closest options would be any of the haunted houses listed in the Salem section, as they’re all only 30-40 minutes from Boston, as well as Barrett’s Haunted Mansion, which is about 30 minutes away. Fear Town and Factory of Terror are about an hour from Boston.
If it’s spooky ghost tours you’re after, Boston has plenty of those, and be sure to keep reading for a list of the best ghost tours to take in Boston!
Best Haunted Hayrides In Massachusetts
If you prefer your haunted experiences in the form of a hayride, I’ve got you covered! After visiting some of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, plan a visit to best haunted hayrides!
8. Witch’s Woods – Westford, MA
Not only does Witch’s Woods provide one of the best and scariest haunted hayrides, it also has one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts. Admission to Witch’s Woods allows visitors to hop aboard this terrifying hayride through the woods, but you can also visit 4 other haunted attractions and haunted houses, as well as experience the Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree, which displays hundreds of carved and illuminated pumpkins.
Tip : Even if you don’t purchase admission to any of the haunted attractions, visitors can still experience the Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree at no charge. The Jamboree is also a kid-friendly activity.
9. Hanson’s Haunted Hayride – Framingham, MA
For a more tame haunted hayride experience, Hanson’s Haunted Hayrides is a great option. Not quite as scary as the others mentioned on this list, but just spooky enough that it’s a thrilling experience for almost all ages (unless any young children scare easily).
Hanson’s is also a family-friendly farm with daytime hayrides through the fields, U-pick apples and pumpkins and farm stands. You could easily swing by at the end of the day to do the festive daytime activities, and then stay after sunset for the haunted hayride for a full afternoon of fun.
Best Haunted Corn Mazes In Massachusetts
10. hysteria at connors farm.
Hysteria at Connors Farm as been recognized as one of the top Scream Parks in the entire country, so this is definitely one of the best haunted attractions in Massachusetts to visit during spooky season! This haunted corn maze, called Haunted Farm, takes visitors through a haunted forest, around an actual swamp and through a real burial ground from the 1600s. The entire attraction will take about 30 minutes to walk through.
Tip : For a family-friendly option at the same location, visitors can choose to walk through the Flashlight Maze. This is not a haunted attraction, and recommended for children of all ages. Just keep in mind that the maze is 7 acres, so very young children should be accompanied by an adult. This maze gained international recognition when 911 responded to a call from inside the maze because a family got lost! So it’s definitely not without a few tricks up its sleeve.
Best Haunted Tours In Massachusetts
While Boston may not have haunted house attractions, it makes up for it with plenty of spooky ghost tours around the city! The best part is, there’s so much deeply-rooted history in Boston that a lot of these ghost stories stem from very real events, making them that much more eerie and thrilling. Below is a list of the best haunted tours in Boston.
11. Death & Dying Ghost Tour in Boston
The Death & Dying Ghost Tour is a walking adults-only tour that dives into Boston’s very haunted history. You’ll head to the Granary Burying Ground, where famous Bostonians like Paul Revere lay at rest, and listen to stories of ghost sightings dating back to the Colonial time period.
Click here to book this Death & Dying Tour in Boston .
12. Ghosts & Gravestones Night Trolley Tour
Even though you’ll be boarding a trolley for this tour, you won’t be safe from the spirits that still haunt this historic city! This Boston Ghosts & Gravestones Night Trolley Tour is led by a costumed grave digger from the 17th century, and during the tour, he’ll share tales of the most haunted landmarks around the city, and well as take you to Copp’s Hill Burying Ground.
Click here to book this Ghosts & Gravestones Night Trolley Tour in Boston .
13. Walking Ghosts Tour
You don’t have to visit the best haunted houses in Massachusetts to get the chills! This haunted walking ghost tour of Boston takes place at night, and is led by a local guide that shares stories of some of the most haunted landmarks around the city, including the Boston Opera House and Granary Burying Ground, and also stories of the ghost sightings that have taken place in each location.
Click here to book this Walking Ghosts Tour in Boston .
Best Haunted Hotels & Places In Massachusetts
If you’re looking for an option outside of visiting the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, here is a list of places you can visit, and even stay the night in, that are famous for paranormal activity, ghost sightings and providing lots of goosebumps.
14. The Lizzie Borden House – Fall River, MA
The Lizzie Borden murder case of 1892 is still debated to this day, and you can tour the house where the murders took place – and even stay overnight!
If you’re not familiar with this infamous murder case, here’s a recap for you:
In 1892, Lizzie Borden was accused, arrested and later acquitted for murdering her father and step-mother with an axe in broad daylight in their home. She stayed in Little River until her death (although, she moved out of the house after the trial), and there’s been speculation ever since of her guilt, her innocence and her motives.
In present day, there are different tours offered at the Lizzie Borden house, including standard tours of the house, as well as ghost hunts at night. Visitors can even book an overnight stay, and sleep in the room where Lizzie’s stepmother was found for the ultimate haunted experience.
Click here to book your tour of the Lizzie Borden House .
15. Hawthorne Hotel – Salem, MA
One of the best haunted hotels in Salem you can actually stay in is the Hawthorne Hotel, and this hotel is often regarded as one of the most haunted buildings in the entire country. There have been many reports from past guests claiming bumps in the night and ghost sightings.
And one of the most creepy stories? Some guests and visitors have claimed the sudden and strong smell of apples. While apples don’t seem at all scary, the Hawthorne Hotel grounds were originally built on an apple orchard that was owned by Bridget Bishop. Bridget Bishop was the very first to be executed in the Salem Witch Trials. Coincidence? Book a stay here to find out for yourself!
Click here to book your stay at the haunted Hawthorne Hotel in Salem!
16. Omni Parker House Hotel – Boston, MA
One of the most haunted hotels in Boston is the Omni Parker House Hotel, which has also been regarded as one of the most haunted hotels in the entire country. Originally owned by Harvey Parker, its said that his ghost has been spotted, still trying to offer impeccable service to his guests. The good news is that Mr. Parker is a friendly ghost. The bad news is, he’s still a ghost. Book a stay at the Omni Parker to see if you can spot him with your own eyes!
Click here to book your stay at the haunted Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston!
17. The Alden House – Duxbury, MA
The Alden House & Historic Site was originally owned by John Alden and his wife Priscilla Mullins, who both arrived in Massachusetts on the Mayflower. For one weekend in October, the Alden House is opened up for haunted tours (although, regular tours of the house are given year-round).
Since John Alden and many future generations of his family occupied the home for years, it’s said that many of them have stuck around and continue to live in the house. John Alden himself has been spotted, as well as a descendant, Aunt Polly.
18. The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home – Lenox, MA
The Mount was once the home of famed literary and ghost story author Edith Wharton, and now, in an interesting (although perhaps not surprising) turn of events, many say the house is now one of the most haunted houses in Massachusetts.
Many people who have visited the house over the years have claimed to hear strange noises, and have even spotted ghost-like figures floating around the hallways. The TV show Ghost Hunters even investigated the house for 3 days to conclude lots of paranormal activity.
Tours of The Mount house are given several months out of the year, and there are two options. The first is an adults-only, nighttime tour that goes into detail about all the spooky stories and haunted happenings around the property. The other tour option is a little less scary, and more appropriate for children, but still shares stories of the ghostly visitors at the house.
19. S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion – Gardner, MA
The S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion has a bit of a sordid past, which makes the ghost sightings at this eerie house even more scary. There have been stories of real-life murder in this house, where a young boy is said to have drowned in the basement, a prostitute murdered in “red room,” and a man burned alive in one of the bedrooms. Since then, many have claimed ghost sightings of S.K. Pierce, the original owner, as well as the prostitute who was murdered, and various others who have occupied the house.
Guests have reported other things like moving furniture, footsteps in the hallways when no one else is there, unexplained loud noises and awful smells. TV shows such as Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventure have both also confirmed paranormal activity.
During the month of October, haunted tours are given inside the house by guides with expert knowledge on the house’s history, as well as its paranormal activity.
Tip : Tours can only be booked in advance online. Walk-ins are not permitted as of 2022.
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- Spookiest Haunted Houses In Maine + Haunted Places You Can Actually Visit!
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- Haunted Hotels & Places In New Hampshire You Can Visit
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That’s A Wrap On The Best Haunted Houses In Massachusetts
Now that you know all of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts to visit, as well as the most eerie haunted sites all over the state, you’re ready for your most spooky season yet! Whether you’re excited for the Witch’s Wood haunted hayride, or curious to spend a night in the Lizzie Borden house, you’re definitely guarantee to let out at least a few gasps.
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There's A Haunted House In Massachusetts That's So Terrifying You Have To Sign A Waiver To Enter
Massachusetts native. Freelance writer and strawberry eater.
More by this Author
Lots of haunted attractions claim to be the most frightening in town…but how many make you sign a waiver before even stepping foot on the property?
The SK Pierce mansion in Gardner has a history of death and hauntings that stretches back almost 130 years. Recently purchased and transformed into a haunted house attraction, this massive Victorian mansion was on the market for a mere $329,000 in 2015.
Read on to learn why the owners were so keen to sell for such a low price, and how you can experience this chilling site for yourself.
The mansion’s website provides the following statement in explanation: “The entities in this mansion are extremely advanced and have demonstrated a unique ability to impose their will “physically” on guests. For this reason, a detailed injury waiver must be signed by each guest prior to experiencing “the SK Haunted Victorian Mansion.” Please do not behave in an antagonistic manner towards these entities at any time, as you may be placing yourself and other guests in danger.”
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The Story Behind This Haunted Mansion In Massachusetts Is Truly Creepy
Susan, the wife of Sylvester Pierce, died of a sudden bacterial infection of mysterious origin mere weeks after moving into the house.
S.K. Pierce himself died in the home on January 28, 1888. His second wife succumbed to cancer in 1902 while in the mansion.
In 1916, the daughter of Pierce’s youngest son, Edward, died of Spanish flu in the home. She was two years old. Edward’s wife also died suddenly in the home.
The family fortune was hit hard by the Great Depression. Pierce’s youngest son turned the mansion into a boarding house, which was said to be a den of vice and prostitution.
One prostitute was strangled to death in what is now known as the “red bedroom.” A Finnish boarder, Eino Saari, burned to his death in the master bedroom on April 3, 1963.
Eerily, there was almost no damage to the room other than the spot where Saari had been lying. There were no burn marks on the walls or floor.
In 1965, Edward lost the home in a poker game. The new owners allowed him to live in the basement of the mansion until his death in 1967. There are also rumors that a young boy accidentally drowned in the basement of the mansion.
Even for skeptics, the reported hauntings at this Gardner mansion are truly chilling. These ghosts are known to get physical.
Encounters with the paranormal at the mansion have been reported almost non-stop since the Pierce family left the estate.
Visitors report a range of experiences, including chanting, the sound of footsteps, horrible odors, shadow people, and even the sound of a deafening lion’s roar.
It hasn’t stopped there, however. More than one visitor has reported the pressure of hands on their body, feeling compelled to throw themselves down the stairs, and even feeling as if they were being forced towards open windows.
The new owners are carefully preserving and restoring every detail of the original structure, down to replicating the shape and material of the century-old doorknobs. Guests of the Pierce family included President Calvin Coolidge, Bette Davis, Minnesota Fats, P.T. Barnum and Norman Rockwell.
The estate is still being renovated, but plans to be open for the 2016 fall season. Check out their website here . But be warned: the new owners are serious about that waiver.
Will you be brave enough to explore this Gardner mansion?
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SK Haunted Victorian Mansion in Gardner, MA The Mansion Sylvester Pierce was a wealthy business man who achieved his fortune as the owner of the S.K. Pierce and Sons Furniture Company. The success of the company and the furniture industry led to Gardner, Massachusetts being known as "Chair CIty".
The fifth and final person confirmed to have died in the mansion was Eino Sauri, a Gardener resident and World War II veteran who lived there during the years it was a boarding house. In 1963, he...
1:27. GARDNER ― For the last 14 years, Marion Luoma has been keeping a watchful eye as caretaker at the S.K. Pierce Mansion after the previous owners fled from the so-called haunted property ...
The Sylvester K. Pierce House, also known as the SK Pierce Victorian Haunted Mansion, or just the Victorian Haunted Mansion, is a historic house at 4 West Broadway in Gardner, Massachusetts.
Pierce bought his own factory at age 25 and at age 53 decided to build a home befitting his public stature directly across the street. It took 100 men almost two years to complete the mansion ...
Tragedy Befalls The Pierce Household Sylvester, his wife Susan, and their son held big hopes when moving into this one-of-a-kind home, but those dreams fell apart when just weeks after moving in, Susan Pierce mysteriously succumbed to a bacterial illness.
About Photos Videos Intro Overnight rentals, historical ghost tours, special events and paranormal investigations at one of the most actively haunted homes in in America. Page · Haunted House 4 W Broadway, Gardner, MA, United States, Massachusetts (732) 599-5147 [email protected] skhauntedvictorianmansion.com Price Range · $$
Lee. Lee Wolloff has been a Gardner resident for 19 years. He was educated in the theater arts and is also a working musician. He has appeared locally, performing as a singer and guitarist and has also performed with the Boston Pops, reciting "Twas The Night Before Christmas". He is also an ordained Minister, officiating at weddings throughout ...
BOOK NOW! Victoria Casanova was a resident of the S.K. Pierce Mansion from 2000 to 2007 with her family. During her years in the house, she had several paranormal experiences which solidified her belief in spirits and afterlife consciousness.
2 reviews and 5 photos of SK Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion "We had a private tour of the mansion today and it was amazing. The curator, Ken, and wife, psychic medium Memie, were authentic, friendly, and told us of a lot of circumstances when paranormal experiences occurred in the house! We also purchased the curator's new book on the house.
158 1/158 Tour the SK 'Haunted' Victorian Mansion in Gardner (photos) By Michelle Williams | [email protected] GARDNER -- On Broadway Street, one house on the block is unlike...
Several ghosts are said to haunt the mansion, including S.K. Pierce's first wife Susan, who passed away of an illness only 3 weeks after moving in. A nanny named Mattie Cornwall who loved the mansion and S.K. Pierce is also said to haunt the mansion, as are other members of the Pierce family. When the house was later turned into a brothel, a ...
When you think of haunted places in New England, one place that comes to mind is the very haunted Victorian mansion in Gardner, MA. Built in 1875, it has a long and colorful history, including rumors of murder and suspicious deaths. It is no wonder that many of its inhabitants are ghosts who have decided not to move out.
Coordinates: 42.557559°, -71.980796° Location Address: 4 W. Broadway, Gardner, Massachusetts The SK Pierce Mansion in Gardner, Massachusetts was constructed in 1875 by a wealthy businessman named Sylvester Knowlton Pierce.
The Haunted S.K. Pierce Mansion. Morbid. True Crime. Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher. In the spring of 2009, Edwin Gonzalez and his girlfriend, Lillian Otero, fled their house in Gardner, MA, less than one year after moving into what they believed was their dream home. Later, once they were safely away from the old Victorian ...
Witch's Woods 3.0 (84 reviews)
About Us The Dark Carnival is a circus-themed haunted attraction established in 2010. Through our dynamic mix of altered illusion effects and trained actors, we have been providing scares across the state of New Jersey for the past five years.
The S.K. Pierce property has also been well-documented over the years as being one of America's most haunted homes, appearing on shows like Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventure, My Ghost Story, and 10 Most Haunted Places in New England, and in books including Bones in the Basement: Surviving the S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion and Haunted Massac...
May 7, 2015 Envelope Facebook Twitter Linkedin Pinterest Share Brenda Albert, listing agent for the S.K. Pierce Mansion in Gardner, MA, noticed the smell twice.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette. 1m ·. Some 10,000 people are on a waiting list to spend the night in Gardner's haunted mansion along with nearly a dozen spirits that call the building home. telegram.com. Worcester County Wonders: A terrifying trip to Gardner's S.K. Pierce Mansion.
Haunted Places in Gardner, Massachusetts 0 S.K. Pierce Mansion - Haunted Victorian Mansion Gardner, Massachusetts S.K. Pierce Mansion was owned by the wealthy Sylvester Knowlton Pierce, founder of the SK Pierce & Son Chair Company.
BACK TO TOP SK Haunted Victorian Mansion • 4 W Broadway, Gardner, MA 01440. SK Haunted Victorian Mansion in Gardner, MA.
1. Factory Of Terror - Fall River, MA Located just a few minutes on foot from the Lizzie Borden house (which is featured later in this list, stay tuned!), is the Factory Of Terror Haunted House. Regarded as one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, it's also one of the largest in all of New England, providing the ultimate scary experience.
The SK Pierce mansion in Gardner has a history of death and hauntings that stretches back almost 130 years. Recently purchased and transformed into a haunted house attraction, this massive Victorian mansion was on the market for a mere $329,000 in 2015. Read on to learn why the owners were so keen to sell for such a low price, and how you can ...