Boston's haunted places hide inside its preserved history: the Cutler Majestic Theatre, where a former mayor is said to still attend shows; Kilachand Hall at Boston University, with its restless fourth floor; the Pilot House on Lewis Wharf; and the Hooper-Lee-Nichols House in Cambridge, home to what may be the longest-running paranormal card game in the country. Here is where the city founded in 1630 keeps its ghosts, plus the Lizzie Borden House a short trip south.
Haunted Places in Boston
Cutler Majestic Theatre: The ornate Cutler Majestic Theatre was built in the early 1900s. As with many such venues, those who have passed still enjoy attending a show here, including one of Boston’s former mayors. He was said to have died while sitting in the audience and the area is known to have cold chill when the mayor is in the house. There’s also reports of a small child haunting the theatre as well as various spectors who roam the lobby area. Kilachand Hall: Like many universities, Boston U has a ghost or two. Kilachand Hall was built in 1921 and before being turned into a college dorm was a luxury residence for Boston’s elite. It’s on the fourth floor that students report eerie occurrences, such as strange knocking on doors, lights turning on and off and doors closing on their own.
Hooper-Lee-Nichols House: The historic Cambridge mansion has had many incarnations in its long life, being a hotel, inn, restaurant and museum. It is also said to be the site of the longest running (paranormal) card game in the country. The sounds of the cards being shuffled and dealt as well as the murmurings of disembodied soldiers have been reported by those visiting the premises at night. The Pilot House: Built in 1839, the Pilot House was an inn where seafaring captains would stay as they awaited their ships’ readiness to sail. Today the building sits in Lewis Wharf and looks as eerie as one might expect. Reports of laughing voices emanate from inside its old walls, with clinking glasses and loud cheering. The apparition of a woman has been reported frequently and she’s usually seen in the kitchen area. Lizzie Borden House: Technically in Fall River, the old Borden home is now a retrofitted Bed and Breakfast, replete with crime scene photographs and an axe. If you don’t know the story of Lizzie Borden it might be because you never jumped rope as a child. In a nutshell, it was thought that Lizzie took an axe to her stepmother and then her father, killing them both and inheriting Mr. Borden’s vast fortune. She was tried but acquitted in a court of law. The noises, cold spots, electrical phenomena, etc have been explored by countless paranormal experts. The opinion seems to be there is something eerie going on inside the house.
Questions people ask
What is the most haunted theater in Boston?
The Cutler Majestic Theatre, built in the early 1900s. A former Boston mayor reportedly died in the audience and is said to bring a cold chill when he attends, joined by a small child and various figures who roam the lobby.
Is Boston University haunted?
Kilachand Hall has the stories. Built in 1921 as a luxury residence for Boston's elite before becoming a dorm, its fourth floor draws student reports of knocking on doors, lights switching on and off, and doors closing on their own.
Can you visit the Lizzie Borden House from Boston?
Yes. The house sits in Fall River, south of the city, and now operates as a bed and breakfast complete with crime scene photographs. Paranormal investigators have documented noises, cold spots, and electrical oddities inside.
