The Columns Museum Ghost Hunt, Milford, PA
$129.00
A 22-room mansion in Milford, PA, home to the bunting pulled from Lincoln’s box at Ford’s Theatre on the night he was shot – still stained with his blood. Join us for a six-hour investigation of one of the most historically extraordinary buildings in the country.
Event Time: 8PM – 2AM ET
Tickets are extremely limited!
18 & over only, or from 16 with a responsible adult.
Pay in installments. Simply select Klarna, AfterPay, or Affirm at checkout.
1904 Columns Museum Ghost Hunt, Milford, PA
The Lincoln Flag. The Mysterious Madame Peirce. A Mansion Where the Dead Stay With Their Things.
Some buildings are haunted by the people who lived in them. The Columns Museum is haunted by what they left behind.
Built in 1904 as the private residence of businessman Dennis McLaughlin, this 22-room neoclassical mansion in the small town of Milford, Pennsylvania has become something stranger than a historical society headquarters. It is a vault for objects that should not exist in a small-town museum at all. A 36-star American flag stained with the blood of a murdered president. The stage costumes worn the night he died.
The personal effects of a woman whose own history reads like a piece of dark fiction. Spend an evening here and you begin to understand why some of the spirits seem reluctant to leave.
The Lincoln Flag
On the evening of April 14th, 1865, red, white and blue bunting hung from the balustrade of the Presidential Box at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. When John Wilkes Booth fired into the back of Abraham Lincoln’s head, the President slumped forward. In the chaos that followed, the theatre’s stage manager, Thomas Gourlay, climbed into the box, tore down a length of the bunting, and pushed it beneath the dying President’s head to cradle the wound. Lincoln did not regain consciousness. He was carried across the road to the Petersen House and died the following morning.
Gourlay kept the blood-stained flag. He gave it to his daughter Jeannie, an actress who had been performing in Our American Cousin on stage that very night. Jeannie carried it with her when she moved to Milford in 1888. In 1954, her son donated it to the Columns Museum, where it has remained ever since, displayed just inside the entrance. The dark stain is still visible across the fabric.
It is one of the most extraordinary artefacts in private museum hands anywhere in the United States. And you will be investigating in the same building that holds it after the lights go out.
Madame Juliette Peirce
The museum’s most active spirit was, in life, one of the most mysterious women in nineteenth-century America.
Almost nothing about Juliette Peirce can be confirmed. Her surname is recorded variously as Froissy and as Pourtalai. She spoke French. She arrived in New York in the 1870s with her own money, her own tarot deck (a deck she claimed had predicted the downfall of Napoleon), and a habit of telling people she was a Habsburg princess. Some historians have speculated she was of Spanish Romani origin, raised on the pilgrimage routes through Andalusia. Nobody knows for certain. She married the philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce, the man often called the father of American pragmatism, and together they moved to a sprawling, half-finished house outside Milford that Charles named Arisbe.
Their life there was a slow ruin. Charles, dismissed from Johns Hopkins because of the scandal of their relationship, never held another permanent post. They lived beyond their means, lost heating in winter, and survived on bread donated by the local baker. When Charles died destitute in 1914, Juliette kept his ashes in an urn on the mantelpiece at Arisbe. She lived another twenty years, frail and increasingly alone, dying of tuberculosis in 1934. When she was finally buried in Milford Cemetery, his urn of ashes was placed in her casket and interred with her.
Her possessions, the things she kept around her in those last poor decades, found their way to the Columns Museum. And she appears to have come with them.
The Second Floor and the Woman Who Watches the Stairs
Juliette is seen most often on the second floor. Visitors report a woman in dark dress standing at the top of the staircase, or pacing the landing, or watching from the doorways of the rooms where her belongings are displayed. People who get too close to her things, who lean in over the cases or reach toward them, have described a sudden, unmistakable feeling of being told to step back. More than one has left the floor in a hurry.
She is not the only presence here. A small woman has been reported in the basement, glimpsed at the edge of the shadows and then gone. Disembodied voices have been heard in empty rooms. Whispers without speakers. Words called from corridors no one is walking. Footsteps and the click of heels move between exhibits after closing, on floorboards that show no one there.
The Attic Stairs
Then there is the attic. Visitors with no prior knowledge of the building’s history have described, unprompted, the same vision: a woman falling down the attic stairs while a man stands at the top, watching her go. Whoever she was, whatever happened to her, that scene appears to be replaying itself for those sensitive enough to receive it.
You will spend the evening here. You decide what you make of it.
What’s Included
– Exclusive after-hours access to the most haunted areas of the Columns Museum, including the second floor, basement, and attic.
– Structured investigation sessions led by experienced Haunted Rooms America investigators
– Use of professional paranormal equipment
– Free Time to explore both locations and conduct your own investigations.
– Snacks & Refreshments to keep you energized throughout the night.
Do you have the courage to spend the night in a museum where history refuses to rest?
Uncover the mysteries that haunt the Columns Museum and see if you can connect with the spirits that remain tethered to their earthly possessions.
TICKETS ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED
BOOK NOW
What's Included?
What’s Included?
For just $129 per person, you will enjoy the following:
- A full night of ghost hunting with the Haunted Rooms America team,
- Exclusive access to the most haunted areas of the museum,
- Group vigils and experiments, guided by our experienced team,
- Use of our traditional and state-of-the-art paranormal equipment,
- Free time to investigate at the end of the night,
- Snacks and refreshments provided at intervals throughout the night.
Event Location: 608 Broad St, Milford, PA 18337
Event Time: 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM ET
Meet up at the location at the earliest 7:30 PM. There is ample parking available at the venue itself.
What to Bring?
Please bring with you a form of photo ID, and a printed off booking confirmation email (or show this on your phone).
We will be providing you with paranormal equipment to use, however, we will need something of value per group to hold onto as collateral (phone, car keys, watch, etc.)
We will be providing snacks and drinks at intervals throughout the night.
Other than that, just yourself and an open mind!
FAQ
What Should I Expect on a Ghost Hunt?
Become a paranormal investigator for the night like the TV stars of Most haunted, ghost adventures or TAPS Ghost hunters.
Use some of the specialized equipment and be guided by experienced paranormal investigators who will share their knowledge, techniques and experiences of hunting for ghosts or spirits.
Feel free to bring along any of your own equipment including but not limited to EVP recorders, flashlights, cameras or video cameras.
Bring extra clothing as in some parts old buildings may get cold but please refrain from wearing clothing that can cause distracting sounds. Many old buildings have a story to tell and we will supply them to you along with of course the ghost stories.
There will be breaks and light refreshments are provided.
We are not out to try and convince the world of the existence of an afterlife. That’s for you to decide.
We can be Sceptical and logical yet open to other beliefs and prayers of protection will be carried out.
We do not perform tricks and will not be running around with sheets on our heads!
You will be with like-minded people looking for the answer “is there really an afterlife”?
However much we try unfortunately we can’t guarantee that members of the spirit world will make their presence known but we can at least guarantee that you will experience a fun and interesting night.
Do I receive an actual ticket?
The event is ticketless. Your proof of booking is your booking confirmation email. You will also receive an email with important information prior to your event, usually the week of.
Is there any age limit of who can attend these events?
The age limit is 18 years and over.
Will there be a Medium at the event?
All events listed on Haunted Rooms are hosted by experienced Hosts and Professional Psychic/Clairvoyant Mediums. However sometimes a Medium(s) may not always be present – but as usual, you will be in very safe hands with our experienced Hosts who have a wealth of knowledge and are fully trained in all aspects of professional public ghost hunting events and experience nights.
Can I sleep at an event?
Unless it is otherwise stated, events don’t include sleepover.
Will I see a Ghost?
Unfortunately, the activity will not just happen on command, however using the various experiments and experienced hosts on the events, everything will be done to offer the best chance of spiritual activity.
Nearby Hotels
Please see a list of recommended hotels here.
Reviews
We investigated the USS William A. Irvin in Duluth MN. It was a great experience, everyone was super friendly and helped whenever they could! if you are debating on signing up. Just do it! we had alot of fun!
Investigated Mortuary Manor in Toledo with my daughter. The guides were extremely knowledgeable about the equipment and different techniques to attempt to communicate with spirits. The owner was very very nice and was actively trying to help in any way he could. We had a very small group of 5 so we had the run of the place. It was a lot of fun and I definitely recommend to anyone interested in the paranormal. We definitely had some activity during the night. The experience made me want to try out other locations if I can. There were a few graduation parties going on in the area the night I was there so, I’d like to go back and see what I can find when it’s a little more quiet in the beginning of the night but it was a great experience!
Bought this as a gift to my brother. I went in not expecting much but had a great time at Valerie Hill winery. We caught some pretty cool stuff and he had a great Estes session. Highly recommend.
Everything was well organized and smooth. There was no gimmick, it started off as a quiet night paranormal wise, maybe because there was a long game of soccer going on right outside. Nothing to be done about that. Mid-Orange Correctional facility is now also part sports complex. The guides demonstrate tools used for investigating and even though the night started quiet, they didn’t hype up every little sound. They debunked sounds and explained what to look for. By 1am my husband and I ran into a group that came with their own equipment and had returned to a spot they had previously had activity. They welcomed us to join them and my EMF meter flew to red pretty steadily. They brought out the dowsing rod and it pointed at me directly so I was asked if I would hold it. I have never really understood how people don’t move the rods themselves. When I held it I realized there is a sleeve on the handle. So you’re not touching the rod. The rod was very responsive and corresponded with the EMF consistently for a few minutes. Anyway, what I liked most is it seems like the community cares. Everyone in the group checked in on my comfort. It was my favorite part of the night.
My son and I had a truly unforgettable experience at the Rock Island Roadhouse. The team that ran this event were all very knowledgeable of the history of the location as well as all of the equipment that they use. There were I think around 50 people total that attended and they broke us out into 4 separate groups. The first 4 hours of the night that were spent in the group setting taking turns with each team member didn't have much activity going on, however, once we were able to explore on our own the last 2 hours, we had some AMAZING activity! We even picked up what sounded like two whispering words in response to our questions! I highly recommend this group!
Did the Battleship North Carolina on April 3rd. I've already booked again for August. The hosts (Both physical and spiritual) were amazing. Recorded several EVP's throughout the night. Some very strong responses with dousing rods. Always skeptical about them, but there were strong responses, especially when we started talking to them like the military members they were. At one point I asked if they wished they had women on Battleships, he replied with a strong "Yes" and my Ghost Box replied with the word "Seductive". He really liked one of the young ladies with us. Turns out she was 18 and he was 20 when he died. Can't wait to do this again!
Just did a tour with this group on the Battleship North Carolina. Absolutely wonderful experience!! My husband and I will definitely be booking again. The leaders are super nice, respectful, and knowledgeable. Definitely recommend!!
Just finished our VIP overnight at Hotel Metropolitan in Paducah! Ms. Venita and Julie were the absolute best! They both made sure we knew what we were doing with equipment, and gave us a fantastic guided tour and explained the history so well. Venita especially made an impression on my group. She is super friendly and definitely knows what she's doing. Can't wait to see her again! I wouldn't want anyone else!
My dad, my sister-in-law, and I stayed at The Metropolitan for a paranormal investigation, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere was warm, inviting, and full of history — but what made our stay exceptional was the incredible staff, Julie and Venita. These two amazing women went above and beyond the entire time we were there. They walked us through all the investigation equipment, helped guide us throughout the night, and made us feel completely comfortable and right at home. Their hospitality was top-notch — from the snacks and drinks they provided to the delicious hot chocolate they made for us during our late-night exploring. Their kindness, patience, and passion for what they do turned our stay into something truly special. If you’re looking for a place filled with charm, comfort, and staff who genuinely care, The Metropolitan Hotel is the perfect choice. Our overnight stay exceeded every expectation. Highly recommend! I wouldn't want anyone else to tour with!! 👻✨🍫












