Vermont Statehouse Launches Haunted Ghost Tours in Montpelier

The Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier has launched haunted tours, transforming the historic seat of government into a seasonal attraction featuring ghost stories and spectral sightings. The pilot program blends the building’s official history with local folklore to draw visitors into the corridors of power after dark.

Ghosts in the halls of government

This year’s event turns the Statehouse floor into a themed experience, complete with spider webs and haunted objects. The tour specifically highlights the Cedar Creek room—a space that previously served as the Statehouse library—as a focal point for the supernatural.

Vermont state curator David Schutz told that he has personally encountered the spirit of Ruth Payne Burgess, a Montpelier painter from the turn of the century, while working in the building after hours. Schutz described the atmosphere of the Statehouse at night as being palpably enlivened by souls who are not at rest.

Behind the Scenes: VT Statehouse hosts first ever haunted tours

“I’ve been in the building after dark, no one else around, and you can feel palpably that this building is enlivened by so many different souls who are not at rest,” Schutz said. David Schutz

Not everyone who frequents the building feels a sense of dread. Allison Clark, who serves on the Friends of the Statehouse Board, noted that her experience of the building after dark differs from the “spooky” narrative. Clark stated that she perceives the spectral presences as positive, noting she has never felt a negative presence within the walls.

A collaboration of arts and administration

The tours weren’t just a quick administrative decision; they were a coordinated effort between several civic and artistic groups. A theater group based in Barre helped write the script for the experience, which was then performed by former members of the Statehouse page program.

The logistics required significant planning between the Sergeant at Arms Office and the state curator’s office. The two departments spent approximately two and a half months determining which rooms were available for public access. After three rehearsals, the pilot program officially began.

The future of the Statehouse haunt

Because this was a pilot year, the Sergeant at Arms Office limited the event to only two days of tours. However, the intent is to scale the project. Officials expressed hope that the event will expand next year, evolving from a brief experiment into an annual tradition for the Montpelier community.

Worth a look