The Equinox Resort – Haunted Hotel in Manchester, Vermont

The Equinox Resort stands as a magnificent white-columned landmark in the heart of Manchester Village. This grand hotel has welcomed guests since the 18th century with elegance and grace.

But beneath its refined exterior lies a darker history of mysterious deaths and lingering spirits. Guests and staff have reported unexplained phenomena for over two hundred years.

The resort’s haunted reputation extends far beyond typical ghost stories found at historic hotels. Multiple entities roam the hallways and rooms with documented sightings spanning generations.

Paranormal investigators consider this Vermont landmark one of New England’s most actively haunted locations. The spirits here seem particularly attached to their earthly domain.

Historical Background

The Equinox opened its doors in 1769 as Marsh Tavern. William Marsh built the original structure to serve travelers along the stagecoach route.

The property expanded dramatically in 1853 when new owners transformed it into a luxury resort. Wealthy families from New York and Boston flocked to Manchester’s mountain air each summer.

President Abraham Lincoln’s wife Mary Todd Lincoln stayed at the Equinox during the Civil War. She sought refuge from Washington’s political turmoil in the peaceful Vermont mountains.

The resort underwent massive renovations in 1901 under the Franklin family’s ownership. They added the distinctive white columns that define the property’s appearance today.

A devastating fire in 1912 destroyed the eastern wing and claimed three lives. Two chambermaids and one maintenance worker perished in the early morning blaze.

The victims’ bodies were discovered in what is now the third floor corridor. Witnesses reported the staff members had been trapped by flames blocking the servants’ staircase.

The hotel changed hands multiple times during the Great Depression and World War II. Several owners reported financial ruin and unexplained misfortunes during their tenure.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Cold spots appear throughout the resort without any logical explanation or mechanical cause. These temperature drops can plunge 20 degrees in seconds then vanish just as quickly.

Guests frequently report the sound of horse-drawn carriages outside their windows at night. No carriages exist on the property and the sounds occur on upper floors.

Phantom piano music drifts through the hallways during the overnight hours between midnight and 3 AM. The music continues even when investigators verify all pianos are locked and covered.

Electrical disturbances plague specific rooms with lights flickering and televisions changing channels independently. Maintenance crews find no wiring issues despite repeated complaints from guests.

Shadow figures dart across the main staircase and disappear into walls where doorways existed centuries ago. Multiple witnesses have observed the same dark shapes in identical locations.

Objects move on their own in guest rooms with particular focus on personal belongings. Jewelry, glasses, and watches relocate to different surfaces overnight without explanation.

Disembodied voices whisper names and phrases in empty corridors and locked conference rooms. Security footage captures the audio but reveals no physical presence.

Ghost Stories & Reports

Mary Lincoln’s ghost allegedly haunts Room 163 where she stayed during her 1863 visit. Guests report a sorrowful woman in a black Victorian dress sitting by the window.

The apparition never acknowledges living witnesses but stares out toward the mountains weeping silently. She vanishes when approached or when witnesses look away momentarily.

One chambermaid named Elizabeth Barton died in the 1912 fire at age 19. Staff members report seeing a young woman in servant’s clothing on the third floor.

Elizabeth appears most often near Room 314 where she worked the morning of her death. She carries fresh linens and seems unaware of the living people around her.

Witnesses describe her face as peaceful but marked with soot and burn marks. She walks through closed doors and fades away near the old servants’ stairwell.

A gentleman in 1920s golf attire haunts the resort’s golf course and pro shop. Staff have dubbed him “The Colonel” though his true identity remains unknown.

The Colonel appears on the 16th hole just after dawn on foggy mornings. He attempts to line up putts with vintage equipment before dissolving into mist.

Some paranormal researchers believe he suffered a fatal heart attack during a tournament in 1927. Historical records confirm a guest died on the course but his name was never publicly released.

The hotel’s original owner William Marsh supposedly never left his beloved establishment after death. His presence manifests in the oldest section of the building near the original tavern room.

Marsh appears as a colonial-era man in tricorn hat and waistcoat inspecting the premises. He seems to be conducting rounds as if still managing his 18th-century tavern.

Kitchen staff report phantom smells of pipe tobacco in areas where Marsh’s office once stood. The scent appears strongest when the restaurant experiences unexplained equipment failures.

A child’s spirit plays in the hallways outside the Marsh Tavern restaurant late at night. Security guards hear giggling and running footsteps but find corridors empty upon investigation.

This entity leaves small handprints on mirrors and windows that appear overnight despite thorough cleaning. The prints measure consistent with a child approximately six years old.

Most Haunted Spot

Room 314 experiences the highest concentration of paranormal activity at the entire resort. This third-floor room was Elizabeth Barton’s last assignment before the fatal 1912 fire.

Guests in this room report their belongings unpacked and neatly arranged by invisible hands overnight. Fresh towels appear folded on beds even when housekeeping hasn’t entered.

The bathroom faucets turn on by themselves and the scent of lavender fills the air. Elizabeth apparently used lavender water as part of her cleaning routine.

Visitors frequently request room changes after experiencing overwhelming feelings of sadness and despair. Some wake to find a young woman standing at the foot of their bed.

The Marsh Tavern basement ranks as the second most actively haunted location on property. This area housed the original tavern’s storage and servant quarters.

Current staff members refuse to enter the basement alone after dark due to aggressive activity. Tools fly off shelves and doors slam shut with tremendous force.

EVP recordings captured in this area contain clear voices speaking in colonial-era dialects. One recording features a man demanding to know why strangers occupy his property.

Can You Visit?

The Equinox Resort remains open to the public as a functioning luxury hotel. Guests can book overnight stays in potentially haunted rooms year-round.

Room rates vary seasonally from $300 to $800 per night depending on accommodations. The resort does not advertise which specific rooms experience the most paranormal activity.

The hotel offers ghost tours during October as part of Halloween celebrations. These guided tours visit the most haunted locations and share historical accounts of supernatural encounters.

Photography is permitted throughout public areas and in guest rooms during your stay. The resort requests visitors respect other guests’ privacy when documenting paranormal experiences.

The Marsh Tavern restaurant welcomes diners without requiring overnight accommodations for those interested in experiencing haunted areas. Reservations are recommended especially during peak tourist seasons.

Tours run Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 PM during October only. Groups are limited to 15 participants and advance booking is required.

Self-guided exploration is possible for overnight guests who can access hallways and public spaces. The basement and certain historical areas remain restricted for safety reasons.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity intensifies during winter months when fewer guests occupy the resort. The spirits seem more active when the building is quieter and less crowded.

January and February produce the highest number of documented encounters and unexplained phenomena. Staff members report increased activity during snowstorms and extreme cold snaps.

The anniversary of the 1912 fire on March 7th brings heightened supernatural occurrences. Elizabeth Barton’s apparition appears multiple times throughout the day on this date.

Overnight hours between 2 AM and 4 AM yield the most consistent paranormal experiences. This timeframe aligns with the hour when the fatal fire began.

Full moon periods correlate with increased shadow figure sightings throughout the property. The main staircase and third-floor corridor show particularly elevated activity during these phases.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Guest Jennifer Morrison from Boston documented her 2019 experience in Room 314 on social media. She photographed her suitcase completely unpacked and organized while she attended dinner.

Morrison’s video footage shows clothing hung in the closet by size and color. She had left everything jumbled in her luggage before leaving the room.

Hotel manager Richard Patterson shared his encounter with William Marsh’s ghost in a 2015 interview. Patterson saw the colonial figure walking through the original tavern section at dawn.

The apparition turned and made direct eye contact before vanishing through a wall. Patterson described feeling inexplicable sadness and a sense of being evaluated or judged.

Night auditor Carlos Mendez reported hearing his name called repeatedly during a 2018 shift. Security cameras recorded the voice but showed no one present in the lobby.

Mendez documented seventeen separate incidents of his name being spoken over six months. The voice always originated from the direction of the main staircase.

Paranormal researcher Dr. Sarah Chen conducted an investigation in 2017 with sophisticated equipment. Her team recorded dramatic EMF spikes in Room 314 and the basement area.

Chen’s thermal imaging camera captured a human-shaped cold spot moving through the third-floor hallway. The anomaly measured 23 degrees colder than the surrounding air temperature.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Atlantic Paranormal Society investigated the Equinox Resort in 2016 for a special episode. They documented compelling evidence including footsteps and door manipulation in empty rooms.

Lead investigator Jason Hawes described the location as genuinely haunted with multiple active entities. The team captured EVP recordings of a woman saying “help me” near Room 314.

Ghost Adventures featured the resort during their 2018 season focusing on the 1912 fire victims. Zak Bagans reported feeling physically pushed while investigating the third-floor corridor alone.

The crew’s equipment malfunctioned repeatedly in specific locations matching historical accounts of supernatural activity. Their spirit box session produced responses referencing the fire and Elizabeth by name.

Local paranormal group Green Mountain Ghost Hunters conducts annual investigations with hotel permission. They’ve amassed over 200 hours of footage and audio recordings since 2010.

Their most compelling evidence includes full-body apparition footage captured on the main staircase. The figure appears in period clothing and walks up stairs before vanishing at the landing.

Independent researcher Michael Torres spent three consecutive nights in Room 314 during 2020. He documented objects moving across surfaces and recorded temperature fluctuations of 25 degrees.

Torres’s investigation produced photographs showing unexplained light anomalies and shadow figures in mirrors. His final night ended early after his equipment batteries drained simultaneously despite being fully charged.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The basement remains off-limits to guests due to structural concerns and insurance liability. Trespassing in restricted areas will result in immediate removal from the property.

The resort maintains strict rules against ghost hunting equipment that could disturb other guests. EMF detectors and recording devices are permitted but must not create noise disturbances.

Third-floor guest rooms sometimes experience intense paranormal activity that frightens sensitive individuals. The front desk can arrange room changes for guests who feel uncomfortable.

Do not attempt to access the original servants’ stairwell as it’s structurally unstable. This area remains sealed following the 1912 fire and subsequent water damage.

Children under 12 are discouraged from participating in October ghost tours due to frightening content. Parental discretion is strongly advised for mature themes and dark history.

Local Legends & Myths

Local folklore claims a Revolutionary War soldier haunts the property seeking his lost regiment. This legend predates the hotel’s construction and ties to a nearby battlefield.

Residents report seeing a Continental Army soldier wandering the grounds where military encampments once stood. The figure allegedly asks for directions to Fort Ticonderoga before vanishing.

Some Manchester natives believe the land itself is cursed from Native American burial grounds. No archaeological evidence supports this claim but the legend persists in local storytelling.

A myth circulates about a secret tunnel system beneath the resort used during Prohibition. Staff report strange sounds from below but no tunnels have ever been officially discovered.

The “Equinox Curse” supposedly brings financial ruin to owners who disrespect the building’s history. Several failed ownership attempts during the 20th century fueled this superstitious belief.

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