House of the Seven Gables (Turner-Ingersoll Mansion)

Immortalized by Nathaniel Hawthorne's gothic novel and shrouded in centuries of supernatural lore, the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion in Salem, Massachusetts, stands as one of America's most haunted historic homes, where the ghostly footsteps of its former residents still echo through its distinctive seven-gabled architecture.

WRITTEN BY

James Sutton

The Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, more commonly known as the House of the Seven Gables, was built in 1668 by Captain John Turner I, a wealthy merchant who could scarcely have imagined that his family home would become a cornerstone of American literary and paranormal history. The house, which originally had only three gables, was gradually expanded over the years, eventually reaching its iconic seven-gabled form that would inspire Hawthorne’s masterpiece.

The mansion’s haunted reputation stems from both its connection to Salem’s dark history and the numerous tragic events that unfolded within its walls. Perhaps the most frequently reported supernatural occurrence involves the spirit of Susanna Ingersoll, a former owner and cousin of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Visitors and staff members regularly report seeing her apparition in period dress, maintaining her vigilant watch over the property as she did in life.

One of the most active areas for paranormal activity is the famous secret staircase, a narrow, steep passage hidden within the house’s walls. Witnesses describe hearing phantom footsteps ascending and descending these stairs, even when the house is empty. Some theorize these sounds are echoes of Colonial-era residents and servants who used this concealed passage to move discretely between floors.

The mansion’s dining room has become notorious for inexplicable cold spots and the mysterious aroma of cooking food wafting through the air when the kitchen has long been dormant. Staff members have reported place settings being mysteriously rearranged overnight, as if an unseen hand is preparing for a dinner party from centuries past.

Children’s laughter and running footsteps are frequently heard in the upper floors, particularly in what was once the nursery. These playful sounds are attributed to the spirits of the Turner children who grew up in the house during the 18th century. Visitors, especially those with young children, often report their kids engaging in conversations with invisible playmates in these rooms.

The attic, with its exposed beams and period furnishings, is considered the epicenter of paranormal activity. EMF meters regularly spike in this area, and photographers have captured numerous unexplained orbs and light anomalies. Some visitors report feeling a heavy, oppressive atmosphere in this space, while others describe a sensation of being watched by unseen observers.

Modern paranormal investigations have yielded compelling evidence of supernatural activity, including EVP recordings of voices speaking in Colonial-era English and thermal imaging showing inexplicable heat signatures in empty rooms. Despite these eerie occurrences, the spirits of the House of Seven Gables are generally considered benevolent, more interested in maintaining their connection to their beloved home than in frightening visitors.

Today, the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion operates as a museum, allowing visitors to experience both its rich historical significance and its supernatural phenomena. While skeptics may dismiss the haunting tales, the consistent nature of the reported experiences across centuries, combined with modern documentary evidence, makes the House of Seven Gables one of America’s most compelling cases of paranormal activity within a historic site.