Deerfield Inn (1884) has a reputation for being charmingly haunted, with several ghostly residents that add a touch of the supernatural to its historic ambiance. The ghosts have made their presence known by ushering guests to bed, moving objects, or simply appearing and giving the staff a fright. The Deerfield Inn’s three resident spirits are said to still roam or haunt the property, each with their own distinct presence and unique story.

The most well-known spirit is that of Cora Carlisle. Cora was a former innkeeper who sold Deerfield Inn to Henry and Helen Flynt, founders of Historic Deerfield, in the 1940s. Cora was known to hold séances to consult her late husband on important decisions, one of which included the sale of the historic inn. Her spirit is most often felt near two second-floor guest rooms, checking on doors and ensuring guests are safe for the night. A more recent innkeeper described sensing Cora’s presence watching over her shoulder to ensure the inn was being kept how she would have wanted. The inn surmises that she agrees with the current workings.

Chester, named by the Deerfield Inn’s staff, is a shadowy figure occasionally spotted in the kitchen stairwell. According to the staff, Chester tends to appear late at night, particularly to employees cleaning up after events. He never causes harm and doesn’t say much, but his quiet appearance has startled more than a few employees.

The third spirit, Herschel, is playful and mischievous. Guests have reported the sounds of running footsteps in empty hallways, pages of books fluttering in the night, and even blankets being tugged from sleeping visitors.

Deerfield Inn has welcomed several paranormal investigations over the years, and many guests with a sensitivity to spirits say the energy at the inn is “unmistakable.” Guests are invited to stay at Deerfield Inn to experience the phenomenon for themselves.