The Ghosts that inhabit Norwich Inn
Nestled in the verdant hills of Vermont, Norwich has a storied past dating back to 1761 when it was first chartered as a town. Early pioneers arrived in 1763, building the community's first log cabins. Norwich steadily grew over the next decades. This rich heritage is evidenced today in the town's iconic Norwich Inn, which first opened its doors in 1797 and continues to welcome guests over 200 years later.
The Norwich Inn was the first tavern in Vermont to entertain a President of the United States
Over time, Norwich became home to historic sites like the Beaver Meadow Cemetery and homes on the Green dating to the late 1700s. The town was shaped by its scenic landscape along the Connecticut River and Ompompanoosuc River. From its agricultural roots and village center to its historic architecture, Norwich retains the quintessential charm of early New England. The community proudly preserves its cherished history while embracing the future. On July 22, 1817, President James Monroe stayed at the hotel.
Is the Norwich Inn haunted?
The Norwich Inn is a one of a kind, historic Vermont hotel that dates back to 1797, when it was constructed. It was built upon land owned by Colonel Jasper Murdock, a graduate of Dartmouth College, who built his home at what is now the corner of Main Street and Beaver Meadow Road. Some, including the current owners say that the Norwich Inn is haunted.
It has been said that numerous guests have walked the halls and stayed at the Norwich Inn, but some may have never checked out.
The Inn was purchased by Charles and Mary “Ma” Walker in 1920. According to the local legend, Ma Walker kept up the Inn's tradition as a tavern throughout the prohibition, by selling bootleg liquor from the basement, even after husband Charles' death, until the mid-1930s, when her own health concerns forced her to sell and retire from her life as the innkeeper.
After Mary passed away, her spirit was apparently seen gliding along the upper floors. Her spirit can sometimes be seen in the dining room, dressed in a black formal gown. The lady wearing a long black skirt, is said to have been seen wandering through the building's parlor, eventually disappearing into the adjoining library. She also seems to have a particular fixation on room 20 where many unexplained events take place.
The apparition has also been seen in the guest rooms. Is it Ma Walker or perhaps yet another ghostly resident of the Inn?
Other ghostly phenomenon include toilets flushing themselves, faucets turning off and on, and rocking chairs eerily rocking away with nobody sitting in them. If it's Mary, she certainly is a bit mischievous type of ghost!
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