Constructed in 1875, Sk Pierce Mansion has been featured on numerous TV shows and ghost stories as one of America's most haunted homes. At 6,661 square feet, this Victorian features 10 bedrooms - five for the Pierce family members and five for live-in servants - along with marble fireplaces, hand-carved moldings, and more than 70 windows.
Sylvester Knowlton Pierce built the mansion on Broadway Street in Gardner, Massachusetts in 1875 as a testament to his success as a furniture manufacturer. Together with his wife Susan, he designed it with an architectural style unheard-of for that time period.
When the Pierce family moved into their dream mansion, they had big aspirations. They eagerly anticipated moving into their idyllic home and starting a family. Unfortunately, just three weeks after moving in, Mrs. Susan Pierce tragically passed away from an unknown bacterial infection - leaving the family grieving a great loss.
Her death deeply grieved Frank, who went to court to gain ownership of the house from Ellen Pierce. Ultimately, Edward Pierce took possession after being awarded it by a judge.
Histories state that the mansion underwent a turbulent phase when Edward converted it into a boarding home, where unsavory activities like drinking, gambling and prostitution took place. There are tales of murder too; one such tale recounting a prostitute being strangled in her red bedroom on the second floor and another boarder named Eino Saari being burned to death in its master suite.
As the rumors of murder and other tragic incidents persisted, the mansion became a magnet for paranormal activity. It has been the subject of numerous investigations by psychic mediums and paranormal investigative groups.
Over the years, numerous reports of ghostly apparitions, shadow figures and possessions have been made. One particularly well-known spirit is a young nanny who cared for the children of Henry Pierce; she has been described as acting as a guardian angel that keeps away unwanted intruders.
Many other spirits are more subtle. While they can be observed with the naked eye or traced to specific rooms of a house, they usually don't strike fear into people quite as much as some of their more terrifying counterparts.
Other ghostly visitors include Maddie Cornwall, a 15 year old nanny for the Pierce family who died in her own home at 15 years old. Numerous meditators and psychic mediums have identified her as an angelic spirit that helps protect other spirits within the house.
She is believed to protect the house from any evil spirits who wish to harm someone. She often wears a white dress and black hat for protection.
She has also been seen walking through the hallways and in the billiard room. Rumors circulate that she can speak with other spirits such as P. T. Barnum who used to frequent this house.
On Monday night, it was announced that after seven years and one month of renovations, the historic house would soon open its doors as a tourist destination. According to its owner, who has been eagerly awaiting this day for years, "it will be worth all the wait!"
