Most Haunted Places in America: Southern Vermont College

Southern Vermont College was established on the grounds of the old Everett Mansion in 1974, though the school itself actually dates back to 1926. It was founded as the St. Joseph’s Business School, upgrading in 1962 to an official junior college – St. Joseph’s Junior College.

Then, in 1974, St. Joseph’s made a trade that landed them the Everett Mansion and surrounding property. The school was moved and quickly flourished in Southern Vermont College.

It’s not the history of the college that is so intriguing, however, but rather the history of Everett Mansion, now the main building of the university where all classes are held. And of course the quartet of ghosts said to reside within its walls.

The Everett Mansion was built by Edward Everett after purchasing a 5-acre track of land in 1910. The estate was constructed upon the hills of Mount Anthony, looking out over the small town of Bennington, Vermont. Everett was very fond of the magnificent scenery and wanted only the best for his wife Amy and three daughters.

Edward had material imported from Cuba, England and Italy. Construction started in 1911 and when it was complete, they lived very happily and comfortably until tragedy befell the family. Amy Everett’s body was found in the pool. She had drowned.

Edward Everett found a new wife, Grace, this time thirty years his junior. His children were not very fond of the new Mrs. Everett, to put it mildly. The hostility within the family grew to excessive heights when Grace bore two more daughters to their father.

Then, in 1929, Edward died. He left a considerable fortune, but of course Edward’s first three children fought for control of the inheritance in a bitter battle with the step-mother. While the family contested rights to the money, it was quickly dwindling away in the stock market crash.

Grace Everett stayed in the Everett Mansion for nearly 30 years after her husband’s death before selling it to the Order of the Holy Cross in 1952. It was used as a seminary until being traded to St. Joseph College in 1974 – thus Southern Vermont College was born.

Numerous stories of paranormal activity surround Southern Vermont College, told by students, staff members and visitors alike. There are many ghosts said to haunt the old Everett Mansion, most dating back to that same period, but only three of them have been identified with any certainty.

The first two are the ghosts of Edward and Grace Everett themselves. They are sometimes seen walking the halls, not necessarily together, with no real sign of emotion on their faces. Many believe Edward Everett is too distraught over the discontent between his beloved family, and that is why he continues to haunt the Southern Vermont College. His wife Grace simply adored the beautiful home and likely does not wish to leave.

The third ghost is known as the “Black-Hooded Monk”. Not much is known about this apparition except that he is likely from the days of the seminary and that his ghost is the most commonly noted on the grounds of Southern Vermont College. No one has ever reported seeing his face, but the black hood is a constant and easily identifies his reappearances.

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