With many historical places, there are oftentimes spirits who stick around in the afterlife and make their presence known. As we all know, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is filled with historical places and so we may grow up hearing ghostly tales that originate from some of these places. Maybe some of us have even had an encounter ourselves. A Gilded Age mansion in Lenox, known as Ventfort Hall, is not immune from hauntings and while you can take a tour in the daytime, Ghost Tours are offered on certain nights throughout the year.
Ventfort Hall is a 28,000-square-foot Gilded Age “cottage” built by George and Sarah Morgan in a Jacobean Revival style. Construction began in 1891 and was finished by 1893. The mansion and its outbuildings originally sat on 26 acres of impeccably manicured gardens that were a testament to the Morgans’ wealth.
Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum/Google
Built with 28 rooms which included 15 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, a great hall, a grand staircase, a massive dining room, a library, a billiard room, and a bowling alley, among other amenities, Ventfort Hall was, and still is, an opulent and imposing estate.
Kenneth Wein/Google
After the Morgans passed on, Ventfort Hall was rented to Margaret Vanderbilt. In 1925, the estate was purchased by W. Roscoe Bonsal, who was involved in the expansion of the railroads, along with his wife. They lived here until 1945 when it was sold again and went through several additional ownership changes over the years.
Jaime V/Google In 1997, the mansion was purchased by the Ventfort Hall Association which was formed to save the home from potential demolition and to also preserve the property and its history.
Today, visitors can take a tour of Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum which currently sits on 11.7 acres. Self-guided tours are available without reservation.
Victoria Szetela/Google
Over the years, there have been numerous reports of paranormal activity at Ventfort Hall. Visitors have been touched when no one was there, heard disembodied whispers and even screaming, and have seen a phantom face of a woman coming down the staircase.
Rodney Motta - REALTOR/Google
Doors often open on their own as well, especially on the third floor. It is believed there are several ghosts haunting Ventfort Hall. Could it be the Morgans, Mrs. Vanderbilt, or others who couldn’t leave this mansion behind?
Rodney Motta - REALTOR/Google
Ventfort Hall embraces its ghostly residents and offers Ghost Tours throughout the year. If a Ghost Tour is of interest to you, follow the Facebook page for updates on when the next one is offered.
Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum/Facebook
Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum/Google
Kenneth Wein/Google
Jaime V/Google
In 1997, the mansion was purchased by the Ventfort Hall Association which was formed to save the home from potential demolition and to also preserve the property and its history.
Victoria Szetela/Google
Rodney Motta - REALTOR/Google
Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum/Facebook
Have you visited Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Museum before? If so, did you take a ghost tour? Let us know in the comments! For more information and to book a ghost tour, visit the official website and follow the Facebook page.
Do you enjoy haunted places and ghostly tales? If you do, you should read The Definitive Guide To All Things Haunted And Creepy In Massachusetts.
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Address: 104 Walker St, Lenox, MA 01240, USA
