The Morris-Jumel Mansion in New York City is a museum with a complex and sometimes controversial history that spans from the colonial era to the present day. Built in 1765, it is one of the oldest surviving houses in New York.
But beyond its historical significance, the mansion is also surrounded by ghost stories and legends, most of them connected to its last private owner — Eliza Jumel.
The History of the Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum
The mansion’s history is intertwined with difficult subjects such as slavery and colonialism. Its first owner, a New York merchant named Roger Morris, amassed his wealth through the slave trade. The house was originally built as a country estate, sitting on 130 acres of land. Architecturally, it blends Dutch, English, and French influences.
During the Revolutionary War, George Washington seized the property and used it as his headquarters during the Battle of Harlem Heights in September 1776. Later, it served as quarters for British and Hessian commanders when their forces occupied New York. Its hilltop location gave it a strong strategic advantage.
In 1810, the mansion was purchased by Stephen Jumel, a wealthy Haitian-born planter. He lived there with his wife, Eliza Jumel, but died soon after — leaving Eliza one of the wealthiest women in New York.
As a wealthy widow, Eliza remarried — to none other than Aaron Burr, the former Vice President best known for dueling Alexander Hamilton. Their marriage ended in divorce, and Burr died on the very day the divorce was finalized.
Ghosts of the Morris-Jumel Mansion
The mansion is famous not only for its history but also for the many ghost stories tied to it. The most famous spirit is said to be Eliza Jumel herself. Given her reputation as a twice-widowed woman and rumors that she may have been involved in the deaths of her husbands — allegedly for money — it’s no surprise visitors feel a chill when standing before her portrait.
Museum staff have reported supernatural experiences, including sightings of ghostly figures in Stephen Jumel’s former bedroom. Another commonly mentioned spirit is Isabella, a servant who is said to have taken her own life inside the house. Her presence is often felt near the back staircase, where visitors claim to have seen a female figure falling from above.
Some witnesses have even reported headless soldier apparitions, believed to be tied to the mansion’s wartime past.
The Morris-Jumel Mansion has been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations and featured on shows such as Ghost Adventures.
Visitor Information
Museum website: https://morrisjumel.org/
Address: 65 Jumel Terrace, New York, NY 10032
