DELAWARE - While most state capitals are home to stiff political tradition, Dover, Delaware, is home to a governor's mansion with a spirited—and slightly intoxicated—secret. Woodburn, the official residence of the Governor of Delaware, is widely considered one of the most haunted houses in America.
But unlike the terrifying apparitions of horror movies, the ghosts of Woodburn are known for their sophisticated tastes, particularly when it comes to the wine cellar.
The Man in the Red Coat
The most famous resident of the afterlife at Woodburn is a gentleman from the 18th century, often seen wearing a high-collared red coat and a powdered wig. Legend has it that he is Charles Hillyard III, the man who built the house in 1790.
Rather than rattling chains, Hillyard's ghost is known for a very specific habit:
- The Wine Thief: For over two centuries, residents and guests have reported seeing a figure standing by the sideboard. When they check their glasses later, the wine has mysteriously vanished.
- The Custom: It became a local tradition for the mansion's staff to leave a glass of fine vintage out at night. If the glass was empty by morning, it was considered a sign that the house was under the "protection" of its original owner.
The Girl in the Garden
Hillyard isn't alone. Another recurring spirit is a young girl in a gingham dress, often seen playing by the reflecting pool in the garden. Witnesses say she appears remarkably solid until she vanishes into the boxwood hedges. Unlike the festive Hillyard, her presence is described as peaceful yet melancholic, a silent witness to the centuries of political maneuvering within the walls.
A Mansion That "Feels"
Nearly every governor who has lived in Woodburn since it was purchased by the state in 1965 has had a story to tell.
- The Footsteps: Several First Families have reported hearing heavy boots marching up the grand staircase in the middle of the night, only to find the hallway empty.
- The Scent: Occasionally, the aroma of an expensive, old-fashioned pipe tobacco fills the library, despite the mansion being a strictly smoke-free residence for decades.
Why the Ghosts Stay
Delawareans take great pride in their history, and Woodburn is a physical manifestation of the State transition from a colonial outpost to the "First State." Many locals believe the spirits remain because the house has been so meticulously preserved. To the ghosts of Woodburn, the governors are merely temporary guests in a home that still belongs to the 1700s.
The Spooky Invitation: To this day, during official receptions, it's not uncommon for guests to raise a glass to the "Man in the Red Coat"—just in case he's watching from the corner of the room.
If you were the Governor, would you feel comforted by having a 200-year-old "guardian" in the house, or would you be locking the wine cellar at night?
