The Brumder Mansion – Haunted Mansion in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Brumder Mansion stands as one of Milwaukee’s most architecturally stunning Victorian homes. This grand estate also carries a reputation as one of Wisconsin’s most actively haunted locations.

Built in 1910, the mansion has served multiple purposes throughout its long history. Today it operates as a charming bed and breakfast where guests often experience unexplained phenomena.

Visitors frequently report encounters with ghostly figures wandering the ornate hallways and rooms. The mansion’s reputation has attracted paranormal investigators and curious travelers from across the country.

Staff members and overnight guests share strikingly similar stories about supernatural occurrences. These consistent reports have solidified the mansion’s place in Wisconsin’s haunted history.

Historical Background

George Brumder commissioned the construction of this magnificent mansion in 1910. He was a wealthy German-American newspaper publisher who owned the German Publishing Company.

The mansion showcased Brumder’s success and served as his family’s primary residence. The home features exquisite Bavarian craftsmanship with hand-carved woodwork throughout its three stories.

George Brumder lived in the mansion until his death in 1910, the same year construction finished. His wife and children continued residing in the home for several years afterward.

The property changed hands multiple times throughout the twentieth century. It served as a private residence, then fell into disrepair before eventual restoration.

In 2000, the mansion underwent extensive renovations to transform it into a bed and breakfast. The restoration preserved the original architectural details while modernizing essential systems.

During renovation work, construction crews reported numerous unexplained incidents and strange occurrences. Tools would vanish and reappear in different locations without explanation.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Guests at the Brumder Mansion report a wide variety of supernatural phenomena. Cold spots appear suddenly in rooms even during warm summer months.

Phantom footsteps echo through hallways when no one else occupies the building. Doors open and close on their own despite being securely latched.

Visitors frequently smell pipe tobacco and perfume in various rooms throughout the mansion. These scents appear without any apparent source and dissipate as quickly as they arrive.

Electronic devices malfunction regularly within the mansion’s walls despite working perfectly outside. Cameras drain batteries instantly and cell phones lose signal in specific rooms.

Shadow figures dart across hallways and appear in peripheral vision throughout the property. Multiple guests have photographed strange orbs and unexplained mists in their rooms.

Objects move from their original positions when rooms are left unattended. Personal belongings of guests often disappear only to reappear in completely different locations.

Several spirits reportedly haunt the mansion including George Brumder himself and his family. Other unidentified entities also make their presence known to sensitive visitors.

Ghost Stories & Reports

George Brumder’s spirit is believed to remain in his beloved mansion. Guests report seeing a distinguished gentleman in period clothing walking the second floor hallway.

This apparition matches historical photographs of George Brumder perfectly with his distinctive mustache. The figure typically appears near the master bedroom before fading into the walls.

One particularly detailed account comes from a couple who stayed in the master suite. They awoke at three in the morning to find a man standing beside their bed.

The figure wore a dark suit and stared out the window overlooking Wisconsin Avenue. When the husband spoke, the apparition turned toward them and slowly vanished.

A female spirit believed to be George’s wife also haunts the mansion. She appears most frequently in the third-floor bedrooms wearing a long Victorian-era dress.

Witnesses describe her as a graceful woman with her hair styled in a period-appropriate updo. She seems peaceful and often appears to be checking on guests like a concerned hostess.

One guest reported waking to find this woman tucking blankets around her during the night. The spirit smiled warmly before disappearing when the guest sat up in bed.

Children’s laughter echoes through the mansion despite no young guests being present. The Brumder children’s spirits apparently still play in their former home.

Multiple visitors have reported seeing a young girl in a white nightgown on the staircase. She holds an old-fashioned doll and giggles before running up the stairs.

A boy estimated to be around ten years old appears in the library area. He sits reading in a chair by the window before vanishing when approached.

The mansion’s staff members have their own collection of unexplained experiences. One housekeeper refuses to clean certain rooms alone after multiple disturbing encounters.

She reported feeling someone grab her shoulder while making beds in the Rose Room. Upon turning around, she discovered she was completely alone in the locked room.

Another staff member heard distinct conversation coming from the dining room early one morning. He discovered the room empty but place settings had been rearranged on the table.

Guests staying in the Ivy Room consistently report the strongest paranormal activity. A presence in this room seems particularly interested in interacting with female visitors.

Women sleeping alone in the Ivy Room report feeling someone sit on the edge of the bed. The mattress physically depresses as if bearing weight yet no one is visible.

Most Haunted Spot

The third-floor bedrooms generate the most consistent paranormal reports at the Brumder Mansion. The Rose Room and Ivy Room particularly stand out for supernatural activity.

Guests in these rooms experience the full range of phenomena including apparitions and physical contact. Many visitors request room changes after just one night in these spaces.

The main staircase also serves as a hotspot for supernatural encounters. The female spirit in Victorian dress appears most frequently on these stairs between floors.

The mansion’s basement remains off-limits to guests due to intense paranormal activity. Staff members report overwhelming feelings of being watched and followed in this area.

Electronic voice phenomena recordings captured in the basement contain unexplained voices and whispers. Paranormal investigators consider this space one of Milwaukee’s most active haunted locations.

Can You Visit?

The Brumder Mansion operates as a fully functional bed and breakfast establishment. Guests can book overnight stays in any of the beautifully restored Victorian bedrooms.

Room rates vary depending on the season and specific accommodations selected. Prices typically range from one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars per night.

The mansion offers special paranormal investigation packages for ghost hunting enthusiasts. These experiences include extended access to notoriously active areas throughout the property.

Photography is permitted and actually encouraged throughout the public areas of the mansion. Many guests capture unexplained anomalies in their vacation photographs.

Check-in times begin at three in the afternoon with checkout at eleven in the morning. The innkeepers live on-site and are available to assist guests throughout their stay.

Day tours are not regularly offered since the mansion functions as a private residence. Overnight guests receive informal tours and historical information from the knowledgeable staff.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity at the Brumder Mansion occurs year-round without seasonal variation. However, guests report heightened phenomena during October and the winter months.

The most active hours occur between midnight and four in the morning. Visitors hoping for supernatural encounters should remain alert during these late-night hours.

Some guests report increased activity during stormy weather and electrical storms. The mansion’s spirits seem particularly energized when atmospheric conditions become dramatic.

Weeknight stays typically offer quieter environments more conducive to paranormal experiences. Weekend crowds and multiple guests can sometimes dilute the supernatural atmosphere.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

A Milwaukee journalist stayed at the mansion specifically to investigate its haunted reputation. She documented her experience in a detailed article for a local publication.

During her stay, she photographed a misty figure standing in the hallway. The image clearly showed a human-shaped form that wasn’t visible to the naked eye.

She also recorded audio throughout the night using professional recording equipment. The recordings captured a man’s voice saying “welcome” in the empty Rose Room.

A paranormal investigation team spent seventy-two hours documenting activity at the mansion. They captured over three hundred photographs containing unexplained light anomalies and shadow figures.

Their thermal imaging cameras detected human-shaped heat signatures in empty rooms. These figures moved through walls and disappeared when investigators entered the spaces.

One team member experienced physical contact when something tugged her jacket sleeve. Another investigator felt someone brush past him in a narrow hallway despite being alone.

A couple celebrating their anniversary encountered the mansion’s most famous ghost firsthand. They were preparing for bed when they noticed a man standing in the corner.

The figure watched them for approximately thirty seconds before slowly fading away. Both witnesses provided identical descriptions matching historical photographs of George Brumder.

A skeptical guest arrived determined to debunk the mansion’s haunted reputation. He spent his first night setting up cameras to catch any natural explanations.

His equipment recorded his briefcase opening by itself and documents scattering across the floor. He checked out the following morning as a convinced believer in the supernatural.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

Multiple professional paranormal research teams have investigated the Brumder Mansion extensively. Their findings consistently support claims of legitimate supernatural activity throughout the property.

The Wisconsin Paranormal Research Center conducted a comprehensive investigation spanning multiple nights. They documented significant electromagnetic field fluctuations in the third-floor bedrooms.

Their medium made contact with a spirit identifying himself as George Brumder. The entity expressed pleasure that his home was being well-maintained and appreciated.

Electronic voice phenomenon sessions yielded remarkable results throughout the investigation. Researchers captured clear responses to direct questions posed to the spirits.

One recording contains a woman’s voice saying “my children” in response to questions. Another EVP captured a male voice stating “this is my house” in German.

Local paranormal groups frequently request permission to investigate the mansion. The innkeepers accommodate these requests when the schedule allows between paying guests.

Local Legends & Myths

Milwaukee residents share numerous stories about the Brumder Mansion’s supernatural reputation. Local legend claims that George Brumder’s spirit protects the house from harm.

Some neighbors report seeing lights moving through empty rooms late at night. Others claim to hear party sounds and music when the mansion is supposedly vacant.

One persistent legend involves a hidden room somewhere within the mansion’s walls. Supposedly this space contains Brumder family treasures protected by a vengeful spirit.

No evidence supports the existence of such a room despite extensive renovations. However, the story continues circulating among Milwaukee’s paranormal enthusiast community.

Another local tale suggests that sleeping in the master bedroom brings prophetic dreams. Several guests have reported unusually vivid dreams that later came true.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The Brumder Mansion is private property operating as a legitimate business establishment. Trespassing is prohibited and taken seriously by local law enforcement.

The mansion’s historic structure contains steep staircases that require careful navigation. Guests should exercise caution when moving through dimly lit hallways at night.

The basement remains strictly off-limits to guests due to safety concerns. The area contains mechanical systems and structural elements that could pose hazards.

Visitors should respect the property and other guests during their stay. Loud ghost hunting activities after quiet hours are discouraged out of courtesy.

Anyone experiencing genuine distress from paranormal encounters should contact the innkeepers immediately. The staff takes all concerns seriously and will provide assistance or alternative accommodations.