Southern Vermont College’s main architectural attraction, the Everett Mansion, has some very interesting and historical ghosts roaming its vast halls; namely Edward Everett himself. Edward Everett was born on May 18, 1851. He began his career as a bottle salesman for his stepfather, but soon became shareholder, then owner of the American Bottle Company. His company would later merge with another perennial glass manufacturer called Corning. This later became the Owens-Corning Fiberglass Company.

In 1910, Everett purchased 500 acres along the slopes of Mount Anthony and began construction on his summer villa. From 1911 to 1914, work crews meticulously toiled under the architectural direction of George Totten, one of the Gilded Age’s most skilled architects.

The 27-room mansion was furnished in lavish Victorian décor with parquet floors of various beautiful designs in different wood. No expense was spared in creating this beautiful manor where the Everett family could spend their summers overlooking the Green Mountains. The house cost $2 million to construct. Not a lot of money when you figure Mr. Everett’s wealth was somewhere between $40 and $50 million.

He called his home “Orchard House,” as it was surrounded by one of the largest apple orchards in the country. About 75,000 apple trees, along with 3,000 plum trees and 2,000 quince trees were planted by Mr. Everett’s workers. Edward, his wife Amy and their three daughters moved into the house in 1915. In 1917, his wife tragically died after a prolonged illness.

He later met Grace Burnap who was 30 years younger than him. They married in 1920 and had two daughters together. Edward died in April,1929 at the age of 77. Grace lived in the mansion until 1952 before selling it to the Order of the Holy Cross. The order subsequently exchanged properties with Southern Vermont College, which was at the time named St. Joseph’s College.

The mansion now houses the administrative offices, library, bookstore, café, art gallery, mail room, dark room, and a classroom. It also houses a few lingering ghosts who do not mind making their presence known. Everett’s second wife Grace is seen gliding through the halls and rooms of the estate. Some claim that the spirit of Everett’s first wife also resides within the stone edifice. She is known as the “Lady in White” because she is seen wearing a white robe while floating through the manor. Edward’s ghost has also been frequently reported in the house.

Other strange occurrences at the Everett estate comprise of wisps of smoke appearing out of nowhere, doorknobs turning, lights turning on and off by themselves, and doors that were previously locked mysteriously flying open. Shadows are seen crossing the halls and footsteps echo in the otherwise empty building.

The shade of a monk in a black robe has been witnessed floating around the perimeter of the campus. The property was a seminary once, so the presence of such a spirit would not be out of the ordinary. Many legends abound of the hooded figure as he roams the grounds, only to vanish before anyone can get close to him. 

The old carriage house became a computer lab. This is where a man in period clothing is seen wandering. Doors also lock by themselves and computers turn off suddenly. The carriage house used to accommodate the Everett’s Rolls Royce automobiles and served as living quarters for the coachmen. 

Arlene and I visited the college on a beautiful May afternoon. The manor looked much like it did in its heyday: the ornate woodwork, grand oak staircase, patios and stunning views of the surrounding area. The semester had ended and the empty halls and rooms afforded us an opportunity to take some photographs and record some audio. Although we did not capture any paranormal activity on camera or recorder, we did get an opportunity to chat with a few living people who were still on campus. They were gracious in sharing the stories of the college and its array of haunts. With the diverse array of ghostly activities, it must be a very exciting school both the living and otherwise.