May-Stringer House

John May built this four-story Victorian home with seven gables and fourteen rooms in 1856. It's been called Florida's most haunted house, with 11 documented ghosts, and it's been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1997.

The May-Stringer House in Brooksville is widely known as the most haunted house in Florida, home to at least 11 documented spirits. This four-story, seven-gable Victorian "painted lady" overlooks the city from its hilltop perch, now serving as the Hernando Heritage Museum.

The most active ghost is three-year-old Jessie Mae Saxon, who died in the house in 1872. Her mother, Marena May, had died giving birth to Jessie Mae's younger sibling, and the toddler passed away shortly after. Since then, her spirit has remained tied to the home--heard calling out for her mother, crying during the night, and giggling with mischievous delight.

Dr. Sheldon Stringer's family noticed Jessie Mae's presence soon after expanding the house in the early 1900s. The laughter of a young child echoed through rooms from nowhere, and dolls in her bedroom have been seen moving on their own. Paranormal investigators always make Jessie Mae's bedroom a priority stop.

Other spirits include Frank Saxon, photographed walking the second-floor balcony; Marena Saxon, keeping watch over visitors; James, who hanged himself on the fourth floor; and the angry entity dubbed "Mr. Nasty" who dwells in the third-floor attic.

During 1980s renovations, staff witnessed dark shapes, orbs of light, and strange mists hanging in the air. They felt the temperature drop sharply in the Florida heat--despite having no air conditioning--and heard footsteps, including those of children, in rooms they knew were empty.

TAPS (Ghost Hunters) investigated, and over 80 ghost-hunting groups have documented their findings. Kindred Spirits explored the attic haunting for television. The museum offers Friday and Saturday night ghost tours, providing guests with their own equipment to communicate with the mansion's eternal residents.