New England was one of the earliest English settlements in the ‘New World’ that became the United States. For most people New England conjures up thoughts of vibrant Fall foliage, lobster fishing and an abundance of blueberries and cranberries.
However, for others, New England is the very epicenter of all things creepy! This is largely down to a large number of high profile hauntings and massacres that have taken place across the six states that make up New England!
Let’s explore the 9 most haunted places in New England.
1. The Sterling Opera House, Derby CT
The Sterling Opera House in Derby, CT is said to be one of the most haunted places in New England. It was built in 1889 and remained open until 1945. Over the years, the performers that it has hosted included the likes of Bob Hope and Harry Houdini.
These days, it is more likely to be spirits that are encountered here. There have been a number of paranormal investigations here over the years and the evidence gathered during them has included children talking or singing, shadow figures, light anomalies and the sudden appearance of child-sized handprints!
Although most of the activity seems to center around children, some say that the building is also haunted by the spirit of Charles Sterling who the building was named for.
2. College Hall, Montpelier VT
Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier started out life as a Seminary in the 1830s before being converted into a college in 1941.
The whole college is apparently haunted, but one particular hotspot is College Hall which is allegedly haunted by the spirit of a young girl who was murdered there some time ago. She has been heard playing the pipe organ in the chapel.
View all haunted places in Vermont
3. Dudleytown, Cornwall CT
Dudleytown is a village that is said to be under a horrible curse. The Village was founded in 1738 by The Dudley Family who is the one who was apparently cursed. All of them died soon after settling in Dudleytown.
However, some say that the curse then spread to the rest of the village since the population began to decrease rapidly after the last of the Dudley family had died.
There was a greater than the average number of violent deaths, accidents, suicides and cases of insanity in the small town. The village was completely abandoned in the 1800s and now all that remains is the foundations and some ruins.
Dudleytown is now owned by The Dark Entry Forest Association and they rarely grant access. However, those who have been granted permission to stop by for a visit say that many of the former residents are still there in the form of ghosts.
Upon entering the village, visitors often experience a strong sense of dread and have seen orbs of light and unexplained shadow figures in the area. There are no birds or animals in the area either which only adds to the creepy feeling here!
4. The Paine House, Coventry RI
The Paine House was built back in 1691 and it now houses a museum and the local historical society. However, the main reason why so many people flock to the house is that it is famous for being one of the most haunted places in New England.
See also: Most Haunted Places in Rhode Island
There are several spirits here, but by far the most active is a young girl who has been seen in various rooms. Investigators have managed to catch her voice as an EVP and have witnessed her moving a rocking chair on command.
5. Blood Cemetery, Hollis, NH
Pine Hill Cemetery in New Hampshire is far more well known by the rather gruesome nickname ‘Blood Cemetery’. There are over 300 graves in the cemetery which dates back to the 1700s.
Over the years there have been reports of a number of different types of paranormal activity. The nickname probably isn’t rooted in what you might first think!
Related: Haunted Places in New Hampshire
It actually comes from the name of the ghost who is believed to be haunting the graveyard, Mr. Abel Blood. There are numerous sightings of Mr. Blood’s apparition and other strange ghostly phenomena, but the strangest of all is the claims surrounding Mr. Blood’s headstone!
There is a hand-carved on the stone with its index finger pointed up towards the heavens.
However, local legend states that after dark, the headstone changes color, and the finger points downward instead!
6. Snedeker Demon House, Southington, CT
One of New England’s claims to fame in terms of the paranormal is that it is where renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren are from. The couple both come from Connecticut and this is also where they founded the New England Society for Psychic Research.
Connecticut is also the home of one of their famous cases – The Snedeker Demon House. You may already be somewhat familiar with this particular case if you have ever seen the movie ‘The Haunting in Connecticut’.
The Snedeker Family moved into the house which was formerly a funeral home. However, before long they were experiencing all manner of paranormal activity.
The family had initially moved there to be closer to the hospital where their son Philip was receiving treatment for his cancer. In fact, as Philip was the first to experience the activity it was initially dismissed as hallucinations caused by his medication.
However, the rest of the family soon began to see things too, although Philip was the most profoundly affected and ended up in an institution for several weeks after attacking his cousin.
Some of the paranormal activity witnessed by the family included apparitions, objects moving and water running red with blood.
The landlord claims that there have been no other reports of activity since the Snedeker’s vacated the property, but it is probably still a pretty cool place to visit!
7. Danvers State Hospital, Danvers MA
Danvers State Hospital was built back in 1874 on Hathorne Hill, where Salem Witch Trials Judge John Hathorne once lived. These days Route 1 passes close to the remains of the hospital, but when it was built it was a very rural and out of the way location, being approximately 20 miles North of Boston.
See also: The Most Haunted Places in Massachusetts
All that remains of the hospital is the somewhat imposing Gothic style Kirkbride Building. While in operation, the asylum faced the same claims that most of these institutions did at that time – overcrowding, lack of funding, neglect, and abuse.
There was a distinct lack of adequate care and treatment with those actually receiving any sort of treatment being subjected to brutal methods such as lobotomies and shock therapy.
The hospital finally closed in 1992 and remained vacant until 2005 when it was purchased and turned into an apartment complex.
8. Fairfield Inn, Kennebunkport, ME
The Fairfield Inn is one of the many haunted hotels that are scattered across New England.
The town of Kennebunkport in Maine was once a shipbuilding and fishing village, but over the course of the last century, it has gradually become a summer colony where wealthy families can have a bit of a getaway.
Many of the mansions in town have been transformed into bed and breakfasts and hotels, of which The Fairfield Inn is one of them.
This was once the home of Captain James Fairfield who is the spirit that is allegedly haunting the property to this day. Captain Fairfield died just 5 short years after building the property in 1815 after falling ill and he was only 38 years old when he passed.
See also: Haunted Places in Maine
Perhaps that is why he is still lingering in his house, keen to enjoy it for a little longer since he never got the chance in life.
An apparition resembling Captain Fairfield has been seen wandering around the entire house, but he does generally seem to favor the basement for some reason!
9. Lizzie Borden House, Fall River MA
There is little doubt in anybody’s mind that there is only one house that should be topping a list of haunted places in New England and that is the Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA.
Everyone knows the story of Lizzie Borden, it is even a macabre jump rope rhyme – ‘Lizzie Borden took an ax. Gave her mother 40 whacks. When he saw what she had done. She gave her father 41!’ This, of course, refers to the gruesome ax murders of Lizzie’s father and stepmother in 1892.
Related: Most Haunted Hotels in Massachusetts
Lizzie was the prime suspect in the killings, but she was acquitted despite the evidence against her. The house now runs as a themed bed and breakfast that has been preserved as it was in 1892!
It is also said to be haunted by the spirits of both Lizzie and her alleged victims.
Guests have seen apparitions, heard unexplained noises, and even woken to find scratches all over their bodies!
10. Salem Inn, Salem
Nestled about 18 miles north of Boston along 7 Summer Street, the Salem Inn holds a place among the most haunted hotels in Salem. Comprised of three historic structures, this famous seaport inn has been the subject of numerous paranormal accounts even before its establishment as a hotel.
Tales of ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena at the Salem Inn abound, with both guests and staff sharing eerie experiences. Reports include missing coal or logs from fireplaces and candles mysteriously blown out.
Room 17 is said to be the most haunted, with a ghostly woman named Elizabeth, or Katherine, believed to haunt the space as revenge on any man who sleeps there. As legend has it, she was killed by her husband. Paranormal activities extend beyond this room, with unsettling incidents occurring throughout the entire building. [BOOK A STAY]
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