Mordecai House – Haunted Mansion in Raleigh, North Carolina

Nestled in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina, the Mordecai House stands as one of the oldest residences in the city, its weathered walls holding secrets that span more than two centuries.

Built around 1785, this stately plantation home has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the chaos of the Civil War, and the quiet deaths of generations who once called it home—and according to countless visitors and staff members, some of those residents never truly left.

The Mordecai House isn’t just a monument to early American architecture and southern heritage; it’s a place where the past refuses to stay buried. Visitors report unexplained footsteps echoing through empty hallways, the overwhelming scent of lavender perfume in rooms where no flowers exist, and the unsettling sensation of being watched by unseen eyes.

The house, which now operates as a historic site and museum, has earned its reputation as one of North Carolina’s most authentically haunted locations, with paranormal experiences reported by skeptics and believers alike.

What makes the Mordecai House particularly intriguing is the wealth of documented history surrounding its hauntings, with specific spirits tied to real people who lived and died within its walls. The property encompasses not just the main house but several outbuildings, each with its own dark tales and mysterious occurrences.

Over the years, the ghostly activity has been so consistent and well-documented that even the most hardened skeptics who work at the site have admitted to experiencing phenomena they simply cannot explain.

Historical Background

The Mordecai House was constructed around 1785 by Joel Lane, one of Raleigh’s founding fathers, making it one of the oldest buildings in the capital city that remains standing today.

The original structure was a modest two-story plantation home, but it underwent significant expansions in the 1820s when it came into the possession of the Mordecai family, who would give the house its enduring name. The Greek Revival additions transformed the simple farmhouse into an impressive mansion befitting one of Raleigh’s most prominent families.

The Mordecai family occupied the house for over a century, and during that time, the property witnessed births, deaths, celebrations, and tragedies that would indelibly mark its spiritual atmosphere. Moses Mordecai purchased the property in 1826, and his descendants continued living there until 1967, creating an unbroken chain of family history that few American homes can claim.

This continuity of ownership means that much of the paranormal activity can be traced back to specific individuals whose life stories are well-documented in family records and local archives.

During the Civil War, the house served as a refuge for the Mordecai women while their men fought for the Confederacy, and the property narrowly escaped destruction when Union forces occupied Raleigh in 1865.

The stress and fear of those turbulent years left an indelible mark on the house’s energy, according to paranormal researchers. Several family members died within the house over the decades, including children who succumbed to common 19th-century illnesses, and elderly relatives who passed peacefully in their sleep—though their spirits, it seems, chose to remain in the home they loved.

Perhaps the most historically significant resident was Mary Willis Mordecai Lane, who was born in the house in 1816 and lived there for nearly her entire life until her death in 1909.

Her incredibly detailed diary, which spans decades, provides an intimate look at daily life in the antebellum and post-war South. This same diary has proven invaluable to paranormal investigators, as it documents specific rooms, furniture, and daily routines that seem to be recreated by ghostly inhabitants to this very day.

The house was eventually saved from demolition and converted into a museum in the 1960s, after the last Mordecai descendant moved out.

During the restoration process, workers reported their first encounters with the supernatural—tools moving on their own, cold spots in the middle of summer, and the distinct feeling of being unwelcome in certain rooms. These early reports established a pattern of paranormal activity that has only intensified as the decades have passed.

Paranormal Activity Summary

The most commonly reported phenomenon at Mordecai House is the sound of footsteps—not the creaking of old wood responding to temperature changes, but the distinct, rhythmic sound of someone walking with purpose through the upper floors and hallways.

Staff members have reported hearing these footsteps during closing hours when they know for certain that all visitors have left the building. The footsteps often follow the same path, from the second-floor bedrooms down the main staircase, as if someone is making their nightly rounds to check on the household.

Cold spots are another frequent occurrence, with specific areas of the house maintaining temperatures significantly lower than their surroundings, even during the sweltering North Carolina summers. These cold zones don’t correspond to any logical explanation such as drafts or air conditioning vents, and they often move or disappear entirely, only to reappear days or weeks later.

Visitors who walk through these cold spots often report an overwhelming feeling of sadness or melancholy, as if the temperature drop is accompanied by an emotional residue from the past.

The scent of lavender perfume appears without warning in various rooms throughout the house, most notably in the master bedroom and the parlor where the ladies of the house would have entertained guests. This isn’t a faint, questionable odor—witnesses describe it as the powerful, unmistakable scent of old-fashioned lavender water, the type that would have been popular in the 19th century.

The perfume manifests suddenly, lingers for anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, and then vanishes just as mysteriously as it appeared, leaving no source that investigators can identify.

Shadow figures have been observed throughout the property, particularly in the late afternoon when natural light creates long shadows—except these shadows move independently of any physical form. Tour guides have witnessed dark shapes darting between rooms, standing in doorways, or peering around corners at groups of visitors.

These shadow figures seem particularly active in the dining room and the children’s bedroom upstairs, often appearing just at the edge of witnesses’ peripheral vision before vanishing when directly observed.

Objects moving on their own represent perhaps the most unsettling category of paranormal activity at Mordecai House, with staff members finding furniture rearranged, doors that were locked being found open, and period-appropriate items being moved from their designated spots.

In one particularly well-documented case, a rocking chair in the upstairs nursery was repeatedly found rocking gently when staff arrived in the morning, despite being completely still when they locked up the previous night.

Security cameras have occasionally malfunctioned in the house, with footage showing strange orbs of light and occasional inexplicable static interference during periods when paranormal activity is at its peak.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The most frequently encountered spirit is believed to be that of Mary Willis Mordecai Lane, the family matriarch who spent nearly her entire 93 years within the house’s walls. Witnesses describe seeing a elderly woman in a long black Victorian mourning dress, often seated in what was her favorite chair in the parlor or standing at the second-floor window overlooking the gardens she once tended.

Her apparition is always described as solid and lifelike, leading many witnesses to initially believe they’re seeing a costumed interpreter, until she vanishes before their eyes or they realize the figure casts no reflection in the room’s many mirrors.

Mary Willis is generally considered a benevolent presence, with many staff members reporting that they feel protected and watched over by her spirit. However, she apparently maintains her strong opinions even in death—tour guides report that when visitors show disrespect to the house or its furnishings, the activity intensifies, with doors slamming and objects falling as if in reproach.

Several visitors have reported feeling a gentle touch on their shoulder or hand while touring the house, and mediums who have visited claim to sense a strong maternal energy that wants to ensure her beloved home is being properly cared for and respected.

The spirit of a young girl, believed to be Margaret Mordecai who died of illness at the age of seven in 1840, has been encountered numerous times in what was once the children’s bedroom.

Visitors and staff report hearing the sound of a child’s laughter echoing through the upstairs hallway, seeing a small figure in a white nightgown running past doorways, and finding toys rearranged in the nursery despite no children being present in the house.

The most poignant encounters involve the sound of soft crying coming from the bedroom, a heartbreaking reminder of the child’s final days battling fever in that very room.

On several occasions, visitors have reported interacting with what they believed to be period-dressed interpreters, only to later discover that no such interpreters were working that day.

One particularly detailed account from 2015 describes a family who engaged in a lengthy conversation with a woman in an 1850s-style day dress who discussed the house’s history in remarkable detail, even pointing out features and sharing family anecdotes not included in the standard tour.

When the family tried to thank her at the tour’s conclusion, she had vanished, and staff members confirmed that no one matching her description worked at the site.

The kitchen building, separate from the main house as was common in the era to prevent cooking fires from spreading, has its own resident ghost believed to be a woman named Mariah who worked as a cook for the Mordecai family in the 1850s.

Visitors to the kitchen have reported the overwhelming smell of bread baking and herbs, the sound of pots and pans being moved, and the figure of a woman in simple period clothing working at the hearth. Mariah’s spirit seems tied to her work, endlessly repeating the tasks that defined her daily existence, apparently content to continue serving the family even beyond death.

Most Haunted Spot

The second-floor master bedroom, where Mary Willis Mordecai Lane spent her final years and ultimately passed away in 1909, is universally acknowledged as the most actively haunted location in the entire house. This room consistently registers the coldest temperatures, even when adjacent rooms are warm, and it’s here that the lavender perfume scent is most frequently detected.

Tour guides have reported an almost palpable sense of presence in this room, with many describing the feeling that they’re intruding on someone’s private space, despite the room being empty of living occupants.

Visitors to the master bedroom frequently experience sudden waves of emotion, ranging from profound sadness to overwhelming peace, often within seconds of entering the space.

The antique bed, preserved with its original frame and recreated period-appropriate linens, seems to be a particular focal point of activity—several visitors have photographed unexplained mist hovering above the bed, and security personnel have reported the distinct impression of someone lying in the bed when viewing it from the doorway.

More dramatically, three separate visitors over the years have fainted in this room without any medical explanation, later describing a sensation of being overwhelmed by someone else’s presence just before losing consciousness.

Can You Visit?

Mordecai House is open to the public and operates as a historic site managed by the Mordecai Historic Park, welcoming visitors who want to experience both the historical significance and paranormal aspects of this remarkable property.

The site is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with tours beginning on the hour, and is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays. Admission fees are modest, typically ranging from $5 to $10 for adults, with discounts available for seniors, students, and children, making it an accessible destination for history enthusiasts and ghost hunters alike.

Standard historical tours are available throughout the day and last approximately 45 minutes, covering the house’s architecture, the Mordecai family history, and significant historical events, though guides often share paranormal experiences when asked.

Special paranormal-focused tours are offered periodically, usually during the Halloween season and occasionally during the spring and fall months, where guides specifically discuss the ghostly encounters and visitors are encouraged to share any unusual experiences.

Photography is permitted throughout the house and grounds, and many visitors have captured intriguing anomalies in their photos, including unexplained orbs, mists, and what appear to be figures in windows.

The park also hosts special events throughout the year, including candlelight tours during the winter holidays that create an appropriately atmospheric setting for potential paranormal encounters.

Researchers and paranormal investigation groups can sometimes arrange special after-hours access by contacting the site administration well in advance, though such arrangements are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.

The staff is remarkably open about the paranormal activity, neither sensationalizing it nor dismissing it, which has earned the site respect among serious paranormal researchers who appreciate the honest, documented approach to the hauntings.

Best Time to Visit

According to staff members and frequent visitors, paranormal activity at Mordecai House peaks during the transitional seasons of spring and fall, particularly during the months of April, May, September, and October when the veil between worlds is said to be thinnest.

The late afternoon hours between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM seem to be especially active, perhaps because this is when the house transitions from public tours to the quiet emptiness of night.

Many of the most dramatic encounters have occurred during the final tour of the day, when the lengthening shadows create an appropriately eerie atmosphere and the spirits seem more willing to make themselves known.

Staff members report increased activity during historically significant dates, particularly around the anniversary of Mary Willis’s death in September and during the Christmas season when the family would have gathered for celebrations.

Some paranormal researchers believe that spirits are more active during times that held personal significance for them in life, which would explain why the house seems particularly alive with energy during the holidays and family-oriented events.

Visitors hoping for a paranormal experience are advised to visit during these peak times, though staff emphasizes that the spirits seem to appear when they choose, regardless of scheduling or expectations.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

In 2018, a tour guide named Rebecca Mitchell documented her experience in the master bedroom during her evening rounds, describing how she heard her name whispered clearly behind her despite being alone in the house after closing.

When she turned around, she saw the distinct impression of someone sitting on the edge of the bed, the mattress visibly compressed as if bearing weight, which slowly released as she watched.

Mitchell, who had worked at the site for three years and considered herself skeptical of paranormal claims, stated in her written account that this experience fundamentally changed her understanding of what exists in the house.

A particularly compelling account comes from a family visiting from Ohio in 2019, whose daughter, age eight, provided detailed descriptions of people she saw throughout the house who were wearing “old-timey clothes.” The child specifically described an elderly woman in the parlor who smiled at her and a young girl in a white dress upstairs who wanted to play.

When shown historical photographs of the Mordecai family members, the child immediately identified Mary Willis Mordecai Lane and young Margaret Mordecai as the figures she had seen, despite having no prior knowledge of the family history or any exposure to these photographs before her visit.

Local paranormal investigator Thomas Brennan conducted an overnight investigation at Mordecai House in 2016 with permission from the site administrators, bringing electromagnetic field detectors, digital voice recorders, and infrared cameras.

His team captured multiple EVPs (electronic voice phenomena), including a woman’s voice responding “I’m still here” when asked if anyone wanted to communicate, and a child’s voice saying “come play with me” in the upstairs nursery.

Temperature readings showed unexplained drops of up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit in localized areas, and one camera captured footage of what appears to be a translucent figure moving past a doorway in the main hall.

A maintenance worker named James Cooper, who worked at the property for over a decade before his retirement in 2020, shared numerous experiences in an interview with a local newspaper.

Cooper reported that he frequently heard footsteps following him through the house during his early morning rounds, saw doors open and close on their own, and once witnessed all the rocking chairs on the porch moving in unison despite there being no wind.

Perhaps most unsettling, Cooper described finding a fresh lavender sprig placed on the pillow in Mary Willis’s bedroom on multiple occasions, despite lavender not currently growing anywhere on the property.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Mordecai House gained broader attention in the paranormal community after being featured in a 2017 episode of the regional television series “Carolina Hauntings,” which documented a night-long investigation at the property.

During the investigation, the team recorded numerous unexplained phenomena, including disembodied footsteps captured clearly on audio equipment, dramatic temperature fluctuations that correlated with reported cold spots, and compelling photographic evidence showing light anomalies in several rooms.

The episode concluded that the Mordecai House showed some of the most consistent and documentable paranormal activity of any location they had investigated in North Carolina.

A team from the Atlantic Paranormal Society conducted a thorough investigation in 2019, spending three nights in the house with a range of sophisticated equipment including thermal imaging cameras, full-spectrum cameras, and multiple audio recording devices.

Their investigation yielded what they classified as “compelling evidence” of paranormal activity, including clear EVP recordings of a woman’s voice in the master bedroom, unexplained electromagnetic field spikes that moved through rooms as if following an intelligent pattern, and thermal imaging that captured what appeared to be a human-shaped heat signature in an empty hallway.

The team’s report, available on their website, concludes that the Mordecai House is “genuinely haunted” and recommends it as a priority location for paranormal research.

Local university students from North Carolina State University’s parapsychology club have conducted multiple investigations at the site over the years, treating it as a living laboratory for studying paranormal phenomena.

Their research has focused on documenting patterns in the activity, correlating reports with historical records, and attempting to establish whether the phenomena are residual hauntings (replaying past events) or intelligent hauntings (spirits aware of and interacting with the present).

Their findings suggest a combination of both types, with some activity appearing to be repeated patterns from the past, while other encounters show clear signs of awareness and interaction with living visitors.

Local Legends & Myths

One persistent legend among Raleigh locals involves the ghost of Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, who was born in a small building on the Mordecai property in 1808 before the Mordecai family owned it.

While there’s no historical evidence that Johnson ever returned to his birthplace after his impoverished childhood, some visitors claim to have seen the figure of a man in formal 19th-century attire near the birthplace building who vanishes when approached.

Paranormal researchers debate whether this could actually be Johnson’s spirit drawn back to his origins, or perhaps a Mordecai family member being misidentified, though the legend persists in local ghost story traditions.

Another local tale speaks of a hidden room within the house where a Mordecai daughter was allegedly confined during a bout of mental illness in the 1870s, though historical records don’t support this claim.

According to the legend, visitors sometimes hear muffled screaming or crying coming from behind the walls, particularly in the second-floor hallway, and some claim to have seen scratch marks appearing on the wallpaper as if someone trapped behind is trying to claw their way out.

While staff members dismiss this as pure fiction with no historical basis, they acknowledge that strange sounds do sometimes emanate from the walls, though they attribute this to the house’s old structure settling rather than supernatural causes.