Infamous ‘Haunted’ Mansion in Massachusetts Sells for $1 Million—Despite Stark Warnings About ‘Dangerous’ Entities

A historic Massachusetts mansion with an infamous reputation as one of America's "most haunted" homes has traded hands for the first time in 10 years—just in time for the start of spooky season.

The property, which was previously referred to as the Gardner Mansion but has more recently been known as the S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion, was put on the market in April with an asking price of $1.2 million.

Now, five months later, the Gardner dwelling has been snapped up for $1 million by a group of four buyers who all boast "strong ties" to the local community—and seem eager to embrace the property's dark past and so-called paranormal activity.

As first reported by The Gardner News, the deal officially closed Sept. 23, when the 21-bedroom abode officially passed into the hands of its proud new stewards: John Godino, Rob Gilman, and Rhonda and David Bettez, who have vowed to maintain the property as a popular tourist attraction.

The change in ownership comes 150 years after the mansion was built for Sylvester Knowlton Pierce, a prominent local businessman, and his family, who had a vision of creating the finest property within miles.

"The mansion boasted 10 bedrooms and took 100 men a year and a half to build," the property's official website says. "Hand-carved moldings and cornices are seen throughout the home. Painstaking detail was used to create every inch of this masterpiece from the master bedroom to the servants quarters. 

"The guest list was one for the ages as the home is said to have hosted the likes of former President Calvin Coolidge, Minnesota Fats, Bette Davis, P.T. Barnum and Norman Rockwell, while also serving as a well-known meeting place for the Freemason Society."

But within a matter of weeks, tragedy befell the family, when Pierce's wife, Susan, died of a bacterial illness.

Months later, Pierce wed his second wife, Ellen, who was 30 years his junior and with whom he welcomed two more children. He also had a son from his first marriage.

After Pierce and his second spouse died, a bitter inheritance battle broke out among his kids over the property, which eventually passed to his youngest son, Edward, who turned the property into a boarding house.

According to the attraction website, the home soon became a hive of "unsavory activity," including "drinking, gambling, and prostitution," while rumors of murders that were carried out in the dwelling began to surface.

"It is said that a prostitute was strangled in the infamous red bedroom on the second floor while another boarder, a Finnish immigrant named Eino Saari, burned to death in the master bedroom in 1963," the home's official history claims. 

"Some believe that this was a spontaneous combustion as there was little damage to the surrounding room.  Another story has a young boy being drowned in the basement."

Claims of terrifying paranormal activity continued to plague the home—including reported sightings of multiple ghosts as well as "dark entities" that are said to have been sighted in the basement.

"Guests have experienced everything from voices, chanting, full body apparitions, moving furniture, screens flying off windows, slamming doors, the sounds of footsteps on the stairs and halls, sudden temperature changes, foul odors, shadow people, and an ominous lion's roar which can shake the house, which many believe is the former Mr. Pierce imposing his displeasure with the current state of the home and its residents," the description continues. 

"Others have felt the pressure of hands actually pushing them. One visitor felt that a presence was attempting to push her down the steps while another was almost forced out of a third floor window. 

"Paranormal experts have said that the entities in this mansion are the 'most advanced' they have ever seen, as they are capable of harnessing electrical energy and converting that power into the ability to move large objects and impose their will physically on their current surroundings."

It adds: "The house has been cited as the No. 2 most haunted house in Massachusetts and the 9th most haunted house in the USA."

Over the years, with terrifying tales continuing to cloud the home's once-illustrious history, the property fell into a state of disrepair, until 2015, when it was purchased by Robert and Allison Conti for $325,000.

The Contis set about "revitalizing" the home, turning it into a popular tourist attraction that highlights—rather than hides—its spookiest stories.

Today, visitors are warned about the "dangerous" entities that purportedly roam the hall of the home, with the property's website stating: "This attraction is not for the faint of heart.  There is a good possibility that you will witness paranormal activity. 

"The entities in this mansion are extremely advanced and have demonstrated a unique ability to impose their will 'physically' on guests. Please do not behave in an antagonistic manner towards these entities at any time, as you may be placing yourself and other guests in danger."

Despite these terrifying warnings, the new owners have vowed that they will continue to allow public access to the home—although visitors should proceed with caution.

“All four are dedicated to being deeply involved with the community and are excited to be a part of such a big piece of Gardner history," a post on the home's Facebook page states.

"This is a project that we feel passionate about, and we can’t wait to use this as an opportunity to support the city and connect with all of our visitors."

In the post, the new owners assured fans that the home will remain open to the public, adding that they plan to offer "new and exciting ways to experience the house ... while also honoring and respecting the house’s past and being good stewards of the house moving forward.”

According to the new owners, the home will host several tours, which will be an hour and a half long, and include a guided walkthrough.

“This is the most economical way to come enjoy the house, so it is important to us to offer as much as possible so anyone who wants to see the house can!” the Facebook post adds.

They will still continue ghost investigations on specific nights and will host yearly events.

The new owners have also promised that guests will finally be able to stay overnight.

“You will get the entire mansion to do as you please, with some rules in place to preserve the house of course!” the post continues.

Lastly, the new owners have revealed that they are instituting a formal ticketing system on the mansion's website and will allow visitors to book tours, ghost investigations, and overnight stays online.

They assured fans of the space that they would soon be able to rent out the area and revealed that they would be partnering with local businesses to make guests' stays the best they can be.