Haunted America: Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Portsmouth, New Hampshire is not only one of the most picturesque cities in the United States; it is also one of the most haunted. The beautifully designed Queen Ann Sise Inn has a lot more than authentic Victorian charm; it has visitors from the other side that frequent the establishment quite regularly.

With 34 elegantly designed guests rooms to choose from, it would seem hard to decide which one to choose from as no two are alike, but ghost chasers often single out room 204, located on the third floor as this is the favorite haunting grounds for a few friendly ghosts. Reports of invisible guests have been heard tinkering with the ice machine, and doors in this area that were locked are often found unlocked.

One male apparition finds pleasure in scaring the maids by placing his hands on their hips, and cold pockets of air in an otherwise heated room can be felt at various times and locations without any reasonable explanation. Female guests are quite often accompanied by an unseen guest that joins them in bed, and male guests have reported flying objects like potted plants that have just narrowly missed them.

The Sise Inn's elevator apparently has a mind of its own as well, as it will operate randomly at will with the door opening and closing, and going up and down at all hours of the day and night. The reservation desk is often visited by an unseen apparition that has a fixation with rocking at a rather fast pace in the child sized rocking chair, and objects quite often appear on the service desk without explanation.

The Sise Inn has many different rumors floating around as to why it may be haunted, but the most popular is that John Sise, a butler from days gone by, fell in love with one of the inn's maids, and that their relationship was over before it began so he murdered his love and then hung himself in the room now known as 204. http://www.siseinn.com/

Strawberry Banke

Portsmouth, New Hampshire has a rich history along with one of the oldest settlements in the United States. Strawberry Banke boasts many homes that are 200 to 300 years old, and one of the oldest is the Jackson House, built in 1664. Other homes are also nestled snuggly at Strawberry Banke, along with the museum that gives them their strongest link to another era that once inhabited this historical area of lush farm land.

When it comes to hauntings and ghosts, the Sherburne House, also located at Strawberry Banke, is listed right at the top with its apparition of a woman in gray that protects the structure. It is believed that the gray ghost was the care taker of Captain John Sherburne's mute daughter. Many visitors have reported seeing the lady in gray with her piercing stares, but she only appears to be watching out for the property. Whether or not she truly exists, the homes distinctive features give it an undeniable haunting feel just from one look at the steeply pitched roof, leaded diamond-paned windows, and the two gables on the front roof.

The Strawberry Banke Museum is also no stranger to unseen occurrences. The most prominent sighting is that of a ghost seen wearing ministers clothing. He has been spotted walking the grounds and peering into windows. The museum is only the starting point to 41 other structures inviting guests to see what awaits them. The gardens are typical of New England landscaping techniques, and there are guided walking tours led by a knowledgeable staff that has witnessed many of the sightings at Strawberry Banke. http://www.strawberybanke.org/index.cfm

Hauntings at the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Library

The Portsmouth, New Hampshire Library is well known for at least three ghosts that occupy the establishment. A ghost child often peers over the upstairs balcony at occupants of the library down below. Shuffling noises, foot-steps, and whispered hushes are also part of the atmosphere at the library. Many library dwellers have reported seeing a curly haired girl running around the upper section at a time when no children are visiting the library.

The Portsmouth, New Hampshire Cemetery

If you are looking for a cool breeze on a hot summer evening then the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Cemetery will do the trick. Most of the action witnessed within the cemeteries realm has been felt along the path entered from the corner of Sagamore Avenue and Little harbor Road. The undeniable sensation of bone chilling and spine tingling fingers can be felt pulling at your clothing, arms, and hands. Many photographers have discovered unknown faces that show up in their pictures of the cemetery.