Woodburn / Governor’s Mansion – Haunted Mansion in Dover, Delaware

Woodburn stands as one of Delaware’s most elegant Georgian mansions and serves as the official residence of the state’s governor. But behind its stately brick facade and manicured gardens lurks a darker history filled with unexplained phenomena and ghostly residents. For over 270 years, this historic mansion has accumulated reports of phantom footsteps, mysterious apparitions, and paranormal activity that refuses to be explained away.

The mansion’s reputation as one of Delaware’s most haunted locations isn’t just local folklore or tourist attraction hype. Multiple governors and their families have personally reported encounters with the supernatural during their residency at Woodburn. Even skeptical visitors and staff members have left the mansion convinced that something otherworldly shares the space with the living.

What makes Woodburn particularly fascinating is how it combines political history with paranormal activity in unexpected ways. The ghosts here don’t just haunt dark corners or forgotten attics. They walk the same halls where Delaware’s most powerful officials conduct state business and raise their families.

The mansion’s paranormal reputation has grown steadily over the decades as more witnesses come forward with their experiences. Security guards, maintenance workers, governors’ family members, and tour guides have all added their stories to Woodburn’s ghostly legacy. The sheer volume and consistency of reports make this location impossible for serious paranormal researchers to ignore.

Historical Background

Construction of Woodburn began in 1790 when Charles Hillyard III built the mansion on his family’s extensive land holdings. The property originally served as a private residence for wealthy landowners in the heart of Dover. The Georgian architecture featured red brick construction, symmetrical windows, and elegant interior spaces designed to showcase the family’s social status.

The mansion changed hands multiple times throughout the 19th century before the state of Delaware purchased it in 1965. Governor Charles Terry became the first Delaware governor to officially reside at Woodburn in 1966. Since then, every Delaware governor has called this historic mansion home during their terms in office.

One of the darkest chapters in Woodburn’s history involves its connection to the Underground Railroad during the pre-Civil War era. The mansion allegedly served as a way station for enslaved people seeking freedom in the North. However, some historical accounts suggest the property may have also been used by slave traders as a temporary holding location.

A particularly gruesome discovery was made during renovations in the basement during the 1960s. Workers uncovered chains and shackles embedded in the foundation walls, evidence of the building’s connection to slavery. These findings added credibility to long-standing rumors about the property’s role in both aiding and imprisoning enslaved individuals.

The mansion also witnessed significant events during Delaware’s colonial and revolutionary periods. Important political figures frequently gathered at Woodburn to discuss matters of state and commerce. The walls absorbed centuries of human drama, tragedy, and emotion that many believe contribute to its haunted atmosphere today.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Woodburn’s paranormal activity manifests in various forms throughout different areas of the mansion. Witnesses consistently report unexplained footsteps echoing through empty hallways, particularly on the second floor late at night. These footsteps follow distinct patterns, suggesting purposeful movement rather than random settling sounds from an old building.

Temperature fluctuations occur frequently in specific rooms, with sudden cold spots appearing without any logical source. Visitors describe walking into invisible walls of frigid air that disappear as quickly as they manifest. Electronic equipment malfunctions regularly during tours, with cameras draining batteries and recording devices capturing unexplained audio anomalies.

Door activity represents one of the most common phenomena at Woodburn. Interior doors open and close on their own despite being securely latched. Staff members have watched doorknobs turn by invisible hands before doors swing wide open or slam shut with tremendous force.

Shadow figures appear regularly throughout the mansion, particularly in the main stairwell and dining room areas. These dark silhouettes move independently of any light source and often vanish when witnesses attempt closer inspection. Multiple people have reported seeing the same shadow forms in identical locations, suggesting repeating apparitions rather than tricks of light.

Objects mysteriously relocate overnight when the mansion is locked and empty. Staff members arrive in the morning to find furniture moved, pictures adjusted on walls, and personal items displaced. Security systems show no evidence of human intruders during these incidents, deepening the mystery of who or what rearranges Woodburn’s interior.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The most famous ghost at Woodburn is known simply as “The Little Girl” or “The Wine Thief.” This child spirit has been seen and heard by numerous witnesses over several decades. She appears as a young girl dressed in clothing from the early 19th century, often spotted in the kitchen area.

The Wine Thief earned her nickname from governors and residents who noticed wine mysteriously disappearing from the mansion’s cellar. The spirit allegedly drinks wine from the bottles stored in the basement, leaving physical evidence of her presence. Governor Ruth Ann Minner and her family reported multiple encounters with this playful ghost during their residency from 2001 to 2009.

Witnesses describe The Little Girl as having a mischievous but not malevolent presence. She giggles softly in empty rooms and has been seen peeking around corners before vanishing. Some researchers theorize she may be the spirit of a child who died in the house during the 1800s.

A second prominent spirit is believed to be a former resident named Lorenzo Dow. This traveling Methodist minister stayed at Woodburn in the early 1800s and reportedly died in the house. His apparition appears as a man in period clothing, often seen in the library or main parlor areas.

Witnesses who have encountered the Lorenzo Dow spirit describe feeling an oppressive, unwelcoming presence. Unlike the playful child ghost, this entity seems to regard visitors as intruders in his domain. Several people have reported feeling invisible hands push them or experiencing sudden feelings of dread when alone in certain rooms.

A third ghost is believed to be a former enslaved person who either died at the property or was held captive there. This spirit appears primarily in the basement where the chains and shackles were discovered. Witnesses describe seeing a sorrowful figure near the foundation walls, sometimes accompanied by the sound of rattling chains.

Governor Michael Castle and his wife reported multiple paranormal experiences during their time at Woodburn from 1985 to 1992. They frequently heard unexplained footsteps on the second floor when no one else was present. Mrs. Castle described waking several times to see a figure standing at the foot of their bed.

Staff members have reported encounters with a phantom dressed in colonial-era military uniform. This soldier spirit appears near the front entrance and main staircase, always standing at attention. The apparition vanishes when approached but has been witnessed by multiple reliable sources over the years.

Most Haunted Spot

The basement of Woodburn consistently generates the most intense paranormal activity and frightening experiences. This is where workers discovered the embedded chains and shackles during 1960s renovations. Visitors to the basement report overwhelming feelings of sadness, despair, and fear without any obvious source.

The second-floor master bedroom suite also ranks as an extremely active paranormal location. Multiple governors’ families have reported disturbances in this area, including apparitions appearing at night. The bedroom connects to where much of the unexplained footstep activity originates, particularly in the early morning hours.

The wine cellar specifically attracts attention due to its association with The Little Girl ghost. Physical evidence of paranormal activity appears here regularly, with bottles moved and wine levels mysteriously decreasing. The temperature in this space drops dramatically without explanation, often reaching uncomfortably cold levels even during summer months.

Can You Visit?

Woodburn is open to the public for guided tours on a limited schedule. Tours must be arranged in advance through the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. The mansion serves as a working governor’s residence, so access is restricted to protect the privacy of the current occupants.

Tours are typically offered on Saturdays during spring and fall months. Admission is free, but reservations are required due to limited group sizes. Standard tours last approximately 45 minutes and cover both the historical and paranormal aspects of the property.

Photography is generally permitted during tours, though restrictions may apply to certain rooms. Many visitors report unusual photographic anomalies captured at Woodburn, including orbs and mist formations. The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs maintains strict behavioral guidelines for all visitors to ensure the mansion’s preservation.

Special paranormal investigation tours are occasionally offered during October in coordination with Halloween events. These extended evening tours provide greater access to reportedly haunted areas and allow more time for investigation. Spaces for these special tours fill quickly and require advance registration through the state’s tourism office.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity at Woodburn appears most concentrated during late evening and early morning hours. Witnesses report the majority of encounters occurring between 11 PM and 4 AM. Unfortunately, standard public tours don’t operate during these peak activity times due to the mansion’s function as a residence.

October represents the best month for paranormal enthusiasts hoping to experience Woodburn’s ghosts. Special Halloween-themed tours and evening events increase access to the property during this time. The mansion’s spirits seem particularly active during autumn months, though researchers haven’t identified a clear reason for this pattern.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Governor Ruth Ann Minner provided some of the most detailed first-hand accounts of paranormal activity at Woodburn. During a 2004 interview, she described hearing a child’s laughter when alone in the mansion. She also confirmed that wine bottles were indeed going empty without anyone in the household consuming the contents.

Security personnel have documented numerous incidents in official reports over the years. One guard reported watching a chandelier swing violently in the front parlor despite no air movement. Another witnessed doors throughout the first floor opening and closing in sequence, as if someone were walking from room to room.

A maintenance worker providing repairs in 2007 refused to return to Woodburn after an encounter in the basement. He reported being touched by invisible hands while alone in the cellar area. The worker also described hearing distinct voices speaking in the empty space around him, though he couldn’t understand the words.

Tour guides frequently add their own experiences to Woodburn’s collection of ghost stories. One longtime guide reported seeing The Little Girl ghost three separate times over a five-year period. Each encounter occurred in the kitchen area during afternoon tours, with the apparition visible for several seconds before fading away.

Visitors have submitted numerous accounts of paranormal experiences during standard daytime tours. Common reports include feeling sudden cold spots, experiencing unexplained touches, and capturing anomalies in photographs. Some guests report feeling unwelcome or watched in specific rooms, particularly the basement and second-floor bedroom areas.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

Several paranormal investigation teams have studied Woodburn with permission from Delaware state officials. These investigations have produced intriguing evidence including electronic voice phenomena recordings and unexplained temperature fluctuations. One team captured what they believe to be a child’s voice saying “play with me” in the kitchen area.

While Woodburn hasn’t been featured on major paranormal television programs, local investigators have documented their findings extensively. EMF meter readings spike unexpectedly in areas associated with ghost sightings, particularly the basement and main staircase. Infrared cameras have captured unexplained temperature differentials that seem to move through rooms intelligently rather than following air currents.

Psychic mediums who have visited Woodburn report sensing multiple spirits throughout the property. They describe layers of energy from different time periods, consistent with the mansion’s long and varied history. Several mediums have independently identified a child spirit and a stern male presence, matching the accounts of The Little Girl and Lorenzo Dow.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

Woodburn is a functioning government building and official residence, making unauthorized access illegal and subject to prosecution. Visitors must respect scheduled tour times and stay with their designated groups throughout the visit. Trespassing on the property outside official tour hours will result in immediate removal and possible criminal charges.

The mansion contains numerous historical artifacts and irreplaceable furnishings that must be protected. Touching objects, sitting on furniture, or disturbing any items is strictly prohibited during tours. The building’s age also presents various structural considerations that make certain areas off-limits for safety reasons.

Nearby Haunted Places

John Dickinson Plantation – Haunted Plantation in Dover, Delaware

📍 5.7 miles

Belmont Hall – Haunted Mansion in Smyrna, Delaware

📍 10 miles

Battery Park – Haunted Fort in New Castle, Delaware

📍 35 miles

Fort Miles – Haunted Military Fort in Lewes, Delaware

📍 35.3 miles

Cape May – Haunted Historic District in Cape May, New Jersey

📍 36.7 miles

Old Swedes Church – Haunted Church in Wilmington, Delaware

📍 39.9 miles