The Haunted History of the S.K. Pierce Mansion

When you walk up to it, the gray Victorian mansion with black shutters looks like something straight out of a horror flick. Housing a four-story tower with a paneled post in the center along with the elaborately detailed woodwork on the exterior, the S.K. Pierce Mansion is reminiscent of the Addams Family and Psycho. Located at the corner of West Broadway and S. Main Street in Gardner, Massachusetts, the 7000-square-foot mansion boasts 11-foot ceilings, 10 bedrooms, and a sinister history of hauntings. 

Considered one of the most haunted houses in New England, its somber origins acted as a catalyst for haunted activity. Sylvester K. Pierce, who owned a successful chair manufacturing business, built the home across the street from the site of this factory. But shortly after moving in, his wife Susan passed away from a bacterial illness, however, this would not be the only death to take place in the residence.  Several years later, Pierce’s second wife Ellen would die at the home with Pierce himself following shortly after.

Upon his passing Pierce’s mansion was left to his sons who would see Edward take over the family business. However, it was not long until tragedy struck again; Edward’s two-year-old daughter would also succumb to a mysterious bacterial infection like that of his first wife.

In the grip of the Great Depression, the family’s fortune would be depleted forcing Edward to turn the mansion into a boarding house just to get by. It was during that time that the mansion became known for gambling, drinking, prostitution, and murder; seeing one man burned to death after his mattress mysteriously caught fire. Eventually, the house fell into disarray, and Edward reluctantly transferred ownership to a friend.  

Since that time, residents and visitors claim to have witnessed many paranormal occurrences throughout the home, including a burning scent coming from the main bedroom, a child-like apparition playing in the rooms on the third floor, and even the spirit of the nanny who once cared for the Pierce children. While these entities have been described as “pleasant”, other more menacing spirits would see to it that former owners abandoned the home. 

When Edwin Gonzalez and Lillian Otero purchased the S.K. Pierce Mansion in 2009, they didn’t believe in ghosts, though their wits would soon be tested as they soon witnessed strange happenings, like phantom children running and playing throughout the residence, along with disembodied voices, footsteps, slamming of doors, and moving objects.  The physical and mental toll was so overwhelming that they decided to move out and move in with a relative. It would be four years until a new owner took over the property and another seven years until renovations had it up and running for tours, as before the purchase there were discussions about demolishing the property. Now, after six years of research and work by the home’s late curator, Ken Watson, the S.K. Pierce Mansion has entered the National Register of Historic Places. With this, it is protected and here to stay.  

According to the current home’s owner, Bob Conti, the waiting list to stay at the mansion was 7,000 prior to opening, and soon even longer with the plan to offer the mansion as a bed and breakfast.  

Currently, the mansion runs tours daily except for Mondays. Visit their website SKHauntedVictorianMansion for more information and ticket sales. 

Just a warning; due to the advanced paranormal activity, you would need to sign an injury waiver before entering. So, are you in? 

Sources:

“the Historic and haunted SK Pierce Mansion”, thegardnernews.com