Edith Wharton’s beloved Mount Estate rises above Laurel Lake in Lenox, Massachusetts, a stunning tribute to one of America’s literary greats. But beyond its grand architecture and lush gardens, something lingers. Built in 1902, The Mount has become more than just a historic home. It’s a ghost story, its walls steeped in whispers from the past.
The Life and Loves of Edith Wharton at The Mount
Edith Wharton’s love for The Mount was no secret. It was here that she found the solace and inspiration needed to write some of her most acclaimed works. The house was a sanctuary for her, a place where she experienced true happiness. Edith described it as a period of contentment “I have never known again.” Wharton’s fascination with the supernatural ran deep. She once wrote that “ghosts, to make themselves manifest, require two conditions abhorrent to the modern mind: silence and continuity.” Ironically, The Mount’s history has been anything but continuous. Since Wharton’s departure, The Mount has changed hands many times, its silence disturbed by inexplicable occurrences.
From Girls’ School to Theater Troupe: The Birth of a Haunting
When The Mount became the Foxhollow School for Girls in 1942, the estate’s eerie reputation truly took root. Tales of strange noises and ghostly encounters quickly spread among the students. The stories soon sparked a haunting legacy that would only grow with each subsequent inhabitant. By the time the 1970s theater troupe moved in, The Mount had already earned a haunted reputation. Cameras and phones malfunctioned on the property but worked fine off-site. Performers and staff reported feeling watched or touched by unseen hands. With so many disturbances, The Mount’s spirits had little choice but to reveal themselves.
Shadows, Specters, and the Paranormal: A Tour Through The Mount’s Haunted Rooms
The Mount’s haunted past isn’t just a story—it lingers in every creaking floorboard and flickering shadow. Visitors have heard disembodied footsteps echo through the halls, doors slamming shut with no one there to push them. Dark figures lurk in the corners, especially by the fireplaces, their unsettling gaze following anyone who lingers too long. Some visitors glimpse something crouched low in the shadows, watching—waiting—before it vanishes as quickly as it appears.
In Edith’s bathroom, visitors often see a ghostly woman with gaunt cheeks and hollow eyes staring from the window. Her intense, haunted gaze leaves them shaken. The room’s heavy energy feels thick, as if the veil between worlds thins more here than anywhere else. Cameras brought into the room mysteriously cease to function, adding an air of foreboding to the space.
Charles the Caretaker: The Persistent Presence in The Stables
Among the most vivid apparitions at The Mount is Charles Cook, Wharton’s faithful caretaker and chauffeur. Charles’s spirit lingers in the stables, appearing as a shimmering ball of light that hovers and vibrates, casting an otherworldly glow in dark corners. He seems particularly attached to this space, where he once spent countless hours tending to the estate’s needs. Charles’s ghostly voice whispers “goodnight” to staff or visitors who find themselves alone late at night. The scent of cigar smoke lingers, marking his presence.
In one harrowing incident, a contractor reported seeing a crouched figure in the caretaker’s quarters. He asked it to pass him a tool, but the figure rose slowly, revealing glowing eyes and a shadowy form. Terrified, the man fled. To this day, workers hear Charles’s footsteps pacing above, as if he still faithfully tends to his duties.
Teddy and Morton: The Men Who Haunt The Mount
The Mount’s halls may be haunted by more than just restless servants and spectral caretakers. Two of the most significant men in Edith Wharton’s life — her husband, Teddy Wharton, and her lover, Morton Fullerton, seem to have left their own ghostly imprints on the estate.
Teddy Wharton: A Watchful Presence in the Stables
Teddy Wharton, Edith’s husband, was deeply invested in The Mount, especially in its stables, which he designed himself. Though their marriage was tumultuous, Teddy’s love for the estate never wavered, even after Edith left. To this day, visitors report seeing a spectral figure lingering near the stables, a tall man with an intense, watchful gaze.
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One caretaker described a chilling encounter while doing routine maintenance near the carriage house. He felt the presence of someone standing just behind him, watching. Turning quickly, he expected to see another staff member—but instead, he caught a brief glimpse of a man in period clothing before the figure simply vanished. Others have noted the sound of distant footsteps in the stable loft when no one is there, as if Teddy still oversees the property he once cherished.
Even more unsettling, visitors have described an odd feeling of scrutiny when walking past the stable doors—a sensation of being judged. Whether Teddy lingers to ensure his beloved stable is maintained or out of some deeper, unresolved connection to The Mount, his presence is felt more than seen.
Morton Fullerton: The Shadow in the Wings
If Teddy’s ghost lingers in the stables, Morton Fullerton’s presence is one of fleeting glimpses and unspoken words. Fullerton, Wharton’s clandestine lover, played a brief but intense role in her life. Their love affair was passionate but ultimately doomed, leaving Edith heartbroken. Some believe that sorrow left an imprint on The Mount, binding Morton to the estate in ways even he never intended.
One of the most striking encounters happened during a 2001 Shakespeare production at The Mount. A theater publicity director was backstage when she noticed an elegantly dressed man in a black tuxedo watching her. His clothing was out of place for the modern setting, but his piercing gaze was what unnerved her the most. When she turned to address him, he was gone.
Later, as she researched The Mount’s history, she came across a photograph of Morton Fullerton—and recognized him immediately. More chilling still, she recalled hearing an accusatory voice in her mind, demanding, “What the hell is going on here?”
Was this a trick of the mind, or had Fullerton’s spirit returned, unsettled by the modern intrusion? Some believe his ghost is not bound to The Mount by love, but by regret—forever lingering in the spaces where Edith once thought of him.
The Woman in the Shadows: Catherine Gross and the Servants’ Quarters
In addition to her family, Wharton’s devoted staff also seem to haunt The Mount. Catherine Gross, Wharton’s maid, is seen wandering the halls, her footsteps often echoing in empty spaces as though she is still dutifully performing her rounds. The second-floor servants’ quarters are a particularly active area, with reports of unexplained sounds, flickering lights, and even brief glimpses of spectral figures moving through the rooms.
One of the most chilling encounters in the servants’ quarters involved a visitor who felt her hair tugged by an unseen force during a tour. Some visitors have also seen a transparent figure with a ponytail staring intensely before disappearing—a man some say was one of Wharton’s stable hands, devoted to his post even in death.
A Resting Place for the Beloved: The Mount’s Pet Cemetery
In a touching and unique twist, The Mount’s pet cemetery holds the remains of six of Wharton’s beloved dogs, a testament to her deep affection for animals. Situated on a hill visible from her library and sitting room, this quiet resting place allows the dearly departed pets to overlook the estate as if keeping it company. Dogs named Mimi, Jules, Miza, Modele, Petit Pierrot, and Toto all rest here, their memory preserved in the tranquil garden. Visitors have reported hearing soft barking near the graves, as if Wharton’s beloved companions still keep watch over The Mount.
The Mount as an Enduring Ghost Story
Today, The Mount is more than just a historic home; it is a living ghost story, a house whose walls seem to breathe with the memories and energies of those who once walked its halls. Visitors are drawn not only by the architectural beauty and Wharton’s literary legacy but by the mystery that fills every room. Skeptic or believer, anyone who steps inside The Mount cannot ignore the weight of history pressing against its walls. The air hums with stories untold, and whispers ride the stillness of its halls. For those who dare to listen, The Mount doesn’t just offer a glimpse into Wharton’s world, it may pull you into its lingering shadows.
Sources:
The Paris Review – Offers insights into Edith Wharton’s life at The Mount and details on her interest in ghost stories and the supernatural, including quotes from Wharton’s own writings about her experiences at the estate.
Berkshire Style – Provides descriptions of The Mount’s haunted history, including reports from visitors and paranormal enthusiasts, as well as historical information about the estate’s time as an all-girls school and a theater dormitory.
The Berkshire Eagle – Contains numerous articles detailing the history of The Mount, from Wharton’s ownership through its transition to Foxhollow School and later uses, including various ownership changes and notable events connected to the estate’s paranormal lore.
The New Yorker – Explores Wharton’s writings and interest in ghost stories, adding depth to her character and the atmosphere she may have infused into The Mount.
