The Haunting of the Three Chimneys Inn

Photo Wikimedia Commons

Durham Historic District, Durham, Strafford County, New Hampshire

One of New Hampshire’s oldest and most charming inns hides a centuries‑old secret: a lingering spirit said to roam its halls and tavern rooms. The Three Chimneys Inn and its connected Ffrost Sawyer Tavern date back to 1649, making the building one of the oldest structures in the state. Its long history and many owners have woven a tapestry of both warm hospitality and eerie encounters — enough to intrigue history lovers and phantom seekers alike.

A Home Built Before the Nation

The original portion of the building was constructed by Valentine Hill in 1649, just over a decade after the first European settlements in New Hampshire. Over time the home grew through additions, and the property would change hands several times. It eventually became a tavern and inn, known for its colonial charm and prime location overlooking the Oyster River.

Over the centuries, the Three Chimneys Inn has witnessed the ordinary — hearty meals, celebrations, travelers’ rest — as well as the extraordinary. Its age alone makes it a keeper of countless untold stories, but local lore focuses on one in particular: the spirit of a young woman named Hannah Hill.

The Ghost of Hannah

According to legend, Hannah — Valentine Hill’s daughter — died tragically after drowning in the nearby Oyster River, which runs just behind the inn. While historical records from the 1600s are limited, the story has endured through oral tradition, paranormal investigators, and staff accounts.

Visitors and employees alike claim that her presence can still be felt throughout the building. Some report subtle signs like doors locking on their own, furniture inexplicably moving, or silverware and other items disappearing and then reappearing in strange places. Others say that modern technology — computers, printers, and new electrical outlets — tends to malfunction within the inn, as though the spirit disapproves of contemporary devices.

Friendly, Mischievous Spirits

Despite the eerie activity, there are no widespread tales of malevolent behavior. On the contrary, many describe the spirit as curious or even playful. One well‑known report comes from a tavern chef who encountered a translucent figure dressed in period clothing. According to the story, the figure smiled and whispered “good morning” before fading away — a moment more warm than frightening for those who witnessed it.

Other guests have described subtle sensations rather than outright apparitions: cold drafts in isolated parts of the inn, soft footsteps when no one else is present, or strange knocking and tapping in walls and floors late at night. Some paranormal investigators who have visited have captured unexplained readings using devices such as EMF meters and thermal cameras.

A Historic Setting With Haunted Surroundings

The inn’s long past enhances its haunted reputation. It stood through early Colonial conflicts, survived a Native American raid in the late 1600s, and weathered centuries of regional history. Cemeteries and older homesteads nearby only add to the supernatural atmosphere, as do other local haunted sites within a short drive.

Today, the Three Chimneys Inn remains a beloved historic destination — a place where travelers can enjoy fine dining at the Frost Sawyer Tavern, cozy rooms with exposed beams, and the warm charm of an authentic Colonial‑era property. Yet for those who listen closely, some say the whispers of the past are never quite silent.

Visitor Information

Address: 17 Newmarket Road, Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (Check local directory or inn website for current contact)
Historical Note: Built in 1649, the oldest sections of the inn predate American independence by more than a century.

Ghosts of Christmas Past: Hauntings in the White House

While the holidays bring warmth and celebration to many homes across America, one of the most iconic houses in the nation tells a different story — a story of shadowy figures, unexplained footsteps, and the restless dead. The White House, often regarded as a symbol of power and leadership, is also considered one of the most haunted buildings in the United States.

Presidents, first ladies, dignitaries, and staff members have reported chilling encounters with spirits dating back centuries. And during the quiet, reflective days around Christmas, the spiritual activity inside this historic residence seems to rise. As families gather to exchange gifts and share traditions, spirits of presidents past may be gathering as well — replaying echoes of a life once lived within those hallowed halls.

The Ghost of Abraham Lincoln

One of the most frequently seen apparitions is none other than Abraham Lincoln. His tall, somber figure has been reported in the Lincoln Bedroom and adjacent halls. First Lady Grace Coolidge, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, and even British Prime Minister Winston Churchill all claimed to have seen him. Churchill’s famous encounter reportedly occurred after a long bath and a cigar — he entered the Lincoln Bedroom nude, only to see the former president standing by the fireplace. Churchill allegedly quipped, “Good evening, Mr. President. You seem to have me at a disadvantage,” before retreating quickly.

Lincoln’s presence is most often felt during times of national crisis or deep political tension — and especially during the cold winter months when the mood in the White House turns inward and solemn.

Abigail Adams and the Smell of Laundry Soap

Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams, is said to haunt the East Room. She used this space to hang her laundry in life, and many have reported seeing her spirit glide through with outstretched arms — as if still carrying linens. The room sometimes carries the inexplicable scent of lavender soap and damp cloth — a strange detail reported by more than one visitor.

The Unseen Watchers

Numerous staff members and guards throughout the years have heard unexplained footsteps pacing empty rooms, felt cold drafts with no source, and sensed invisible presences watching them. President Harry Truman once wrote to his wife Bess, describing knocks at the door and creaking floors while alone late at night. "The damned place is haunted, sure as shootin’," he wrote in 1946.

Children’s Laughter and the Ghost of Willie Lincoln

The ghost of William Wallace “Willie” Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s son who died in the White House in 1862 at the age of 11, has also been heard. Staff have reported faint, childlike laughter and the sound of small running feet in rooms long since closed for the night. Mary Todd Lincoln herself held séances in the White House in an attempt to contact him.

The Christmas Connection

It is believed that ghosts are more active around the holidays — especially Christmas — due to the emotional energy in the air. For the White House, a building soaked in emotion, grief, history, and power, this seems especially true. Former staff have reported strange occurrences during holiday tours — flickering lights, ornaments shifting, or unexplained chill in rooms freshly decorated with garlands and wreaths.

A Home of History — and Hauntings

Perhaps no place in America holds as much emotional and spiritual imprint as the White House. Wars have been waged, presidents have died, and countless private tragedies have unfolded behind its famous white columns. The holiday season, with its emphasis on family and remembrance, may simply pull these spirits a little closer to the surface.

While most think of ghosts on Halloween, the White House reminds us: some ghosts come home for the holidays. 🎄

---

👻 HEY!! Don't forget!! SpookFest 2026 Is Coming in January!!

Every Friday in January, we'll return to the haunted heart of the nation’s capital! SpookFest explores the shadows hiding in D.C.’s most iconic places. Don’t miss our weekly stories of haunted history, government secrets, and chilling legends!

Spookfest: Four Seasons of Cursed! Only on TrueHauntingsofAmerica.com!

🎄 Christmas at Gettysburg: Soldiers That Never Went Home

Though the Battle of Gettysburg took place in July, the emotional weight of the site carries through all seasons — especially during the holidays. Many Civil War soldiers never made it home to their families for Christmas. Letters found from the era speak longingly of hearth and home, of candlelight and kin. Some say that on cold December nights, especially around Christmas Eve, the battlefield becomes quieter, softer — as if the spirits themselves pause in longing remembrance of the homes they left behind.

In modern times, a few visitors have even reported the faint scent of pipe smoke, the sound of carol-like humming, or a sudden warmth in the middle of a wintry breeze — moments that feel strangely peaceful in contrast to the battlefield's violent past. These fleeting sensations are believed by some to be echoes of soldiers who, in spirit, are still trying to return home for the holidays.

Other accounts around the Christmas season describe strange yet gentle hauntings that feel less like warnings and more like spiritual homecomings. One frequently told story comes from near the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where visitors have seen a solitary figure in Union blue kneeling near the gravestones, head bowed. Witnesses describe the air growing inexplicably warm, and some claim to hear what sounds like a prayer or a soldier softly reciting scripture — only for the figure to vanish as they approach.

At the Farnsworth House Inn, which served as a Confederate sniper post during the battle, December guests often report hearing music with no source — faint violin strains or what sounds like a harmonica playing a hymn in a distant parlor. One guest swore she heard a man whisper the words "Silent Night" while standing alone on the staircase.

And in the Triangular Field — a place known for its heavy residual energy — December visitors have described sudden waves of emotion: overwhelming sorrow, deep yearning, or an unexpected sense of peace. Some psychics believe this is the lingering energy of soldiers who never got to say goodbye, finding momentary stillness when the world outside grows quiet during the holidays.

Even park rangers have noted that Christmas brings a different feeling to the battlefield. One longtime guide once shared that, every year near December 24th, he smells pipe tobacco in the crisp night air near the Devil’s Den — despite no one else being around. He says it’s become his silent nod to the past, a seasonal greeting returned by those who never truly left.

And then there’s Little Round Top, where ghostly sightings have been reported for generations. Soldiers in Union garb have appeared in photographs and videos, seemingly unaware of the modern world around them. Some visitors claim to hear voices calling for ammunition or names being shouted in the wind. At Christmas, the wind itself feels different — softer somehow, as if it carries the breath of memory instead of war. Some say they’ve felt a hand on their shoulder, only to turn and find no one there — just the view of the quiet hills, blanketed in frost and time.

Locals who’ve lived near the battlefield for decades tell of candles seen flickering in empty windows, footsteps heard on old wooden porches, and the echo of boots on frozen ground. Many believe these are the soldiers who still search for home, or perhaps return to the places where they once knew kindness, even if only briefly. In winter, with snow dusting the fields and silence hanging like a veil, the whole town becomes a doorway — where the veil between past and present wears thinner than usual.

And for those who truly listen, Gettysburg offers more than chills — it offers gratitude. The spirits here do not always come to frighten. Sometimes they return to remind. To remind us of what was lost, and what should never be forgotten. To remind us that home is not just a place, but a longing stitched into the soul — and that even in death, that longing can remain. Especially at Christmas.

Whether it's a scent on the wind, a song with no source, or the shape of a soldier in the mist, these holiday-timed encounters at Gettysburg remind us that love, longing, and the spirit of homecoming do not always end with death. For some, Christmas is still a time to return — even if only in spirit.

This story is written in honor of all who never made it home — and all who still try.