Vermont has a rich history of haunted places and the ghosts who live there, and the tale behind the Hayden House is truly terrifying. What makes the story behind this place so scary? It could be due to the many mysterious illnesses, or maybe due to the unmarked graves, or perhaps it's because it all leads back to a curse rendered by a bitter mother-in-law. Here is the story behind Vermont's most haunted house that will give you nightmares.
The old Hayden House still stands on the outskirts of Albany, Vermont, in the Northeast Kingdom. The Hayden Family is thought to have perished under the vengeful curse of William Hayden’s mother-in-law, Mercie Dale.
The story begins in 1806 when a man named William Hayden moved with his wife, Silence, and her mother, Mercie. His mother-in-law was widowed and very well off financially, and she wanted to help her daughter jump-start her life.
You see, Mrs. Dale tried to be a good mother-in-law and lent her daughter's husband large sums of money to go towards the family's business. Instead, Hayden Sr. squandered it away supporting his lavish lifestyle and refused to pay the money back.
Things went from bad to worse when Mrs. Dale suspected her son-in-law was poisoning her. Legend has it that on her death-bed in 1806, she cursed her party animal son-in-law and his family, saying that the third generation would be the last of the Hayden line.
William and Silence had 5 sons, and all but one, Will Jr. died young. In 1854, William Hayden Jr. built the red brick mansion that still stands today looking the same as it did more than 150 years ago.
He is thought to have been as much of a party animal like his father as plans for the ornate home included a spring-suspended dance floor on the third floor to add a little bounce to his ballroom dances.
Mercie's curse from the grave came true because by 1927, according to various accounts, the entire Hayden family had gradually died due to an assortment of inexplicable illnesses. The curse was now complete.
It is also thought that the lantern lights could be the spirits of the illegal laborers smuggled in by William Hayden Jr., who buried the bodies of the workers in unmarked graves in the fields behind the three barns as they died.
Perhaps the most important lesson here is: Always pay back your mother-in-law.
To get to the Hayden House, follow Route 14 north towards Albany. The house is on the left, a mile south of the village. Please note that the Hayden House is now a private residence. Please view from the road.
Vermont has become the poster child for an idyllic autumn with its rolling farmland, gentle mountains, rustic barns, and vibrant foliage. I recently traveled to Barnard, a quiet town just outside of Woodstock, with my family for a week during the near-peak foliage season and can agree that it absolutely lives up to the hype — albeit with a few caveats. Here's more on why fall foliage in Vermont is simply unparalleled, and how best to enjoy a visit while respecting local life and venturing off the beaten path.
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Dawn Light Gives A Warm Glow To The Autumn Trees And The Village Of Waits River Vermont
New England is an obvious choice for leaf-peepers, and Vermont has become its shining capital. Each year, it's estimated that over two million travelers descend upon the Green Mountain State for their fill of foliage. The local economy benefits greatly, and residents on the whole are welcoming and eager to share their corner of the country.
This October, I ventured to a small town just north of Woodstock with my husband and two children. After braving two flights and a heavy dose of Boston traffic, we arrived in Vermont amazed by the fall color that had only just barely begun to show itself back home in Virginia.
Our home base for six nights was an adorable Airbnb in the heart of Barnard that can only be described as a personal retreat. The picture-perfect A-frame is an easy twenty-minute drive from Woodstock yet feels worlds away from the busy town center. The design of the home is mid-century modern, and it's meticulously decorated and spotless. Upstairs are two main bedrooms with two smaller additional spaces to sleep downstairs. The main bathroom is also downstairs, but it's roomy and includes a sauna. While everything about the inside space — from the fireplace to the cozy kitchen and luxurious bed — impresses, the outdoors steal the show.
Step onto the back deck and a postcard-worthy view reveals itself. The neighbors operate a small farm, so you may even spot some friendly pigs. Enjoying coffee on the porch in the mornings and hot tea at night under a blanket of stars was an experience I won't soon forget.
The cabin offers an entire binder of local recommendations, from the Barnard General Store to the upscale dining options in downtown Woodstock, there is simply no shortage of convenient options.
With fall in full swing, there were a few bucket-list items my family and I wanted to embrace. First up was a trip to Abracadabra Coffee, a hyper-local coffee shop specializing in single-origin coffees. The roastery is built around a '64 Shasta Trailer, lending an effortlessly cool air to the space. Abracadabra is known for its signature drinks, made-in-house syrups, liége waffles, and donuts. I wanted to try just about everything on the menu but after sampling the iced maple latte and a waffle, I could not bring myself to order anything else on subsequent visits.
Next on our list was a trip to the Vermont Institute of Nature Science (VINS) in Quechee. We have a little owl enthusiast in our crew, and he was gob-smacked to meet a few of these raptors up close. VINS is open daily between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., offering bird encounters, interactive talks, and immersive exhibit experiences. In addition to the birds-of-prey exhibit, we loved the Forest Canopy Walk complete with a stunning view of Vermont's finest foliage. Of course, that's not the only place to observe animals in Woodstock.
Equally as family-friendly is Billings Farm & Museum, one of the most picturesque outdoor museums in the country. The fully operating farm offers guests an up-close look at Jersey Dairy cows and other farm animals, gardens, and a historic farmstead, all surrounded by the picturesque Vermont countryside. The museum requires an admission fee; however, there are a few nearby trails that can be enjoyed for free.
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And now, the food. Vermont has been practicing farm-to-table techniques long before they were popular, and it shows. One of my favorite stops was the Woodstock Farmers' Market, a year-round destination for fine produce and local goods. We managed to stop in on three separate occasions during our visit, lured in by the freshly prepared sandwiches, local apples, organic produce, and enough cookies and apple cider to last a lifetime. There are even picnic tables out back by the water where you can enjoy some of your purchases. I'd highly recommend it!
We visited a handful of restaurants during our visit, including Worthy Burger. This off-the-beaten-path, nonpretentious restaurant is an ideal spot to enjoy a hearty burger, local beer, and great company. The food was delivered quickly and did not disappoint (especially the parmesan truffle fries).
My favorite meal out, however, had to have been from Ramunto's Brick & Brew in Bridgewater. It was a last-minute decision and with two hungry kiddos in our car, we had to act quickly. My husband ordered a sampling of pizza by the slice and we ate our dinner outside overlooking the Ottauqueechee River. If ever there was a moment from the trip that stood out to me as our quintessential Vermont experience, it was this: enjoying a few slices of exceptional pizza outside with my family.
In summary, Vermont in the fall is just as splendid as advertised. However, it's important to be mindful of the local way of life if you do visit. More than a few times I noticed well-meaning tourists snapping photos while crossing an intersection, or even pulling off on the side of a road to capture the leaves. A crucial part of being a thoughtful traveler is being aware of your surroundings, especially when, as is the case for Vermont, those surroundings can be distractingly beautiful!
Lastly, don't be afraid to venture to the lesser-known, hidden gems in town. I'll end with one final must-visit: a 24-hour market known as Kiss The Cow, where you step into a tiny organic farm store and take your pick of thoughtfully stocked cheeses, ice cream, soups, and some produce. There's no cashier, so you'll use the honor system to tally up your total and Venmo the owners. I can think of no better way to support such an inviting community.
For the ultimate holiday adventure in Vermont, spend the day dog-sledding and then stay at a local inn decorated for the Christmas season. Start your outing off by heading to Waterbury for a once-in-a-lifetime dog sledding in VT excursion with October Siberians Vermont Sled Dog Rides & Adventures. Here, you'll have a memorable time frolicking in your very own winter wonderland while zipping along in a dog-drawn sled, an adventure that should be on everyone's bucket list including my own.
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After your epic sleigh ride, take a 20-minute drive along Vermont Route 100 South to The Inn at the Round Barn Farm in Waitsfield. Once you arrive, you'll get to relax, unwind, and enjoy how festive this bed and breakfast is during your holiday adventure in Vermont.
October Siberians Vermont Sled Dog Rides & Adventures offers a dog sledding package for those looking for "dog sledding near me" in VT. The two-hour tour takes place at Little River State Park in Mt. Mansfield State Forest which is the ideal setting for a holiday adventure in Vermont. Not only will your dog-sledding adventure take you through the forest but past Waterbury Reservoir and along old roads past an old homestead that was last occupied over a century ago.
During your unique winter adventure in Vermont, you'll be pulled along by several gorgeous huskies who seem to love to be out in the snow. If you take part in one of the company's educational programs, you'll have the option to care for the dogs as well.
Since dog sledding is such a novel way to celebrate the Christmas season, book your reservation for this holiday adventure in Vermont well in advance.
After playing in the snow with the dogs, take a 20-minute drive to The Inn at Round Barn Farm set on 45 acres. Upon arriving, marvel at how decked out the grounds are for the holidays.
Once you get settled in, take time to check out the fun decor on the grounds of this beautiful bed and breakfast.
Feel free to rest and relax after your dog sled adventure by enjoying the holiday spirit in the inn's common areas. Then you can retire to your luxurious room complete with your very own gas fireplace.
You can also plan to use the inn as a base to explore other parts of this area during your holiday adventure in Vermont. This includes hitting a nearby ski slope, going snowshoeing, or heading to a local restaurant. What a fantastic way to celebrate Christmas in VT!
