Haunted Grandview Manor – Haunted Mansion in Lebanon, Maine

Perched on the outskirts of Lebanon, Maine, Grandview Manor is an imposing 19th-century mansion with a chilling past. Once a luxurious estate for an influential family, the manor’s history took a dark turn following a series of unexplained deaths and tragedies.

Now abandoned, it is a hotspot for paranormal activity, drawing ghost hunters and thrill-seekers alike. Locals whisper about eerie lights flickering in the windows, disembodied voices, and shadowy figures that roam the decaying halls.

Historical Background

• Year Built: 1872
• Original Purpose: Private estate of the Winthrop family, a wealthy New England lineage.
• Significant Events:
  • In 1901, Eliza Winthrop, the lady of the house, vanished without a trace. Her disappearance remains unsolved.
  • A deadly fire in 1925 claimed the lives of two servants, though some believe they were murdered before the flames started.
  • During the Great Depression, the mansion served as a makeshift boarding house, where several residents reportedly died under mysterious circumstances.
  • The house was abandoned in the 1970s after the last known owner, Henry Winthrop III, was found hanged in the library—an apparent suicide, though rumors suggest foul play.

Paranormal Activity Summary

• Visitors report cold spots, flickering lights, and sudden whispers in the empty halls.
• Doors slam shut on their own, and unseen hands have allegedly pushed guests.
• Shadowy figures are seen pacing the grand staircase.
• The ghost of Eliza Winthrop is said to wander the manor, searching for something—or someone.
• The library, where Henry Winthrop III died, is the most active location, with reports of books flying off shelves and an overwhelming sense of dread.

Ghost Stories & Reports

• The Vanishing Lady: Some claim to have seen a woman in a Victorian gown standing near the second-floor window, only for her to disappear upon closer inspection. Locals believe this is the spirit of Eliza Winthrop.
• The Screaming Servants: On certain nights, visitors have reported hearing agonized screams, supposedly from the two servants who perished in the fire.
• Phantom Footsteps: Numerous investigators have recorded the sound of heavy boots pacing in the basement, despite no one being present.
• The Whispering Hallway: Some claim to hear hushed conversations in empty corridors, as if ghostly residents are still carrying on their lives beyond the grave.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

• The Library: Paranormal investigators claim this room is the most active. It was the site of Henry Winthrop III’s death, and many visitors feel an oppressive force here. The chandelier is said to sway violently on windless nights, and some claim to hear a deep, guttural whisper warning them to leave.

Can You Visit?

• Open to the Public? No, but private ghost tours are occasionally permitted with special permission.
• Entry Fee: N/A
• Tour Availability: Paranormal investigators have led exclusive overnight stays, though these are rare.
• Photography Allowed? Yes, but visitors report that cameras often malfunction inside the house.
• Visiting Hours: Not officially open to the public. Some brave explorers visit at their own risk.

Best Time to Visit

• October through early winter months. The mansion is at its most active near Halloween, with the highest number of paranormal reports occurring on cold, misty nights.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

• In 2012, a group of ghost hunters recorded an EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) in the library, capturing a chilling voice whispering, “Get out.”
• A local historian claimed to have seen an apparition of a woman staring out from the manor’s attic window in broad daylight.
• In 2021, a trespassing teenager reported being physically scratched by something unseen while exploring the grand staircase.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

• The manor was featured on the TV show Ghost Encounters in 2015. The team experienced unexplained battery drain, captured moving shadows on camera, and reported hearing an eerie female voice in the dining hall.
• A 2018 investigation using thermal imaging detected a human-like heat signature in the abandoned ballroom, despite the property being vacant.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

• Trespassing is strictly prohibited. The property is monitored, and violators risk fines or arrest.
• Due to structural instability, the upper floors and basement are unsafe for exploration.
• Paranormal investigators warn that the house carries a negative energy, and some visitors have experienced nausea, dizziness, or extreme fear while inside.

Cursed or Haunted Objects

• The Grandfather Clock: Found in the main hallway, it mysteriously chimes at odd hours, even though it has been broken for decades.
• Eliza’s Mirror: A large antique mirror in the master bedroom is said to reflect strange movements that don’t match reality. Some claim to see a pair of hands reaching out from the glass.