Cranston’s Sprague Mansion remains as one of the most haunted houses in the state of Rhode Island. Many tragedies have unfolded in this 18th century homestead. These tragedies have left psychic scars in the passing of time that still resonate in the former estate of the prominent, yet tragic family. 

William Sprague built the manor in 1790. His various mills and bleachery amassed quite a fortune for his family. Sprague met with an unfortunate demise during dinner one evening when a fish bone became lodged in his throat. Doctors tried desperately to remove the bone but he died during the surgery. His son William went on to become a United States Senator while his other son, Amasa tended to the family business. Amasa turned an even larger fortune from the business he inherited. 

A long running feud between the Sprague family and the Gordon clan, who wanted to put a pub next to one of the Sprague mills would later end in tragedy. The Sprague family feared it would become a problem with work attendance at the mill. The idea was shot down by the town council. On December 31, 1843, Amasa Sprague was found brutally beaten and shot to death near his home. John Gordon was hanged for the murder, but Gordon’s brother later confessed to the crime. This case caused the Rhode Island government to rescind the death penalty.

Amasa was laid out in the living room of the great estate and buried at Swan Point Cemetery where the massive Sprague memorial sits. His original stone is on display at the mansion. The family fortune dwindled during the post Civil War depression and the mansion was eventually sold. In 1966 the Cranston Historical Society obtained the property and restored it as a public building for tours and functions.

The first ghostly activity began around 1925 when an apparition was seen on the staircase. Since that time, there have been numerous sightings of the ghost descending the steps of the 28-room mansion. The mansion has a number of ghosts roaming its corridors. Along with the wraith on the stairs, witnesses have reported seeing the ghost of Lucy Chase Sprague who lost a large portion of the family fortune. Other ghosts could be the spirits of William Sprague II who founded the empire and left this world so unexpectedly. Some even claim to see the son of Civil War Governor William Sprague IV who committed suicide in the house in 1890.

Paranormal research groups have conducted investigations on the property for years. Some claim to have witnessed wraiths reflecting in the glass of a hutch in the ballroom. As one group stood in the room, three separate times the image of a man passed by the glass. According to data collected at the house, the place is extremely active with all kinds of paranormal activity. Scores of photographs have been taken allegedly revealing ghosts or paranormal activity in many of the rooms. One photo even shows the figure of the ghostly woman ascending the famed staircase. Another has images in the ballroom of a lady in what appears to be a long white Victorian dress. Other photos are of misty or wispy white figures human in form but not recognizable enough to say whose form it might have been. EVP recordings (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) in the house concluded that the living room, ballroom, wine cellar, doll room, and a spare room seem to be active with spirit activity. Even the gift shop is occupied by a spirit whose footsteps are heard wandering through the room.

Many visitors through the years have met the ghosts of the Sprague mansion. Guests and caretakers alike have stories of covers being pulled off beds or objects moving without visible hands to guide them. The ghost of a little girl and a dog were seen in one of the bedrooms. There is a room full of dolls that seem to follow your every move while passing by. Visitors have claimed that they heard voices coming from that particular room. Contact the Cranston Historical Society to arrange a tour and perhaps you may see one of the Sprague family as well. (401) 944-9226