LOCATION: USA – NORTH CAROLINA – RALEIGH
LOCATION TYPE: MANSION
STRANGE TYPE: HAUNTINGS
PHENOMENA: APPARITIONS – MOVING OBJECTS – PHANTOM MUSIC

Standing proudly in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina, the Mordecai House serves as both a testament to the city’s rich history and one of its most intriguing paranormal locations. Built in 1785—seven years before Raleigh itself was established—this stately mansion has witnessed generations of life, death, and perhaps something in between.

A House Older Than Its City

The story of Mordecai House begins with Joel Lane, often referred to as the “Father of Raleigh.” Lane built the house for his son Henry, though fate had different plans for the property’s future. In a twist of historical irony, Lane would later sell nearly a thousand acres of his plantation to help establish the very city that would grow around his son’s home.

The house gained its current name when Moses Mordecai married into the Lane family in 1817. Mordecai’s story adds an fascinating layer to the house’s history—he married not one, but two Lane sisters. After his first wife Margaret’s death in 1824, he married her younger sister Ann. The family’s Jewish heritage and subsequent conversion to Christianity reflects the complex cultural dynamics of early American life. Moses himself changed the pronunciation of the family name from the traditional long “I” ending to the long “E” that the house still carries today.

The Ghost in Gray

While many historic homes claim supernatural residents, Mordecai House’s primary spectral inhabitant has a name and a story. Mary Willis Mordecai Turk, who lived in the house from 1858 to 1937, seems to have maintained her connection to the property long after her death. Witnesses consistently report seeing a woman in a gray Victorian-era dress moving through the house’s various spaces.

The apparition’s appearances follow several distinct patterns:

• She frequently appears on the house’s grand balcony, particularly during late-night hours
• Visitors have spotted her floating down the main stairwell
• A mysterious gray mist, believed to be connected to her presence, has been observed in various locations throughout the house

Musical Mysteries

Perhaps the most captivating paranormal activity centers around the mid-1800s piano in the parlor. Multiple witnesses have reported hearing phantom melodies emanating from the instrument when no one is playing it. The ghostly performances are often accompanied by a gray mist hovering over the piano’s keys—similar to the mist associated with Mary Willis Mordecai Turk’s apparition.

Modern Investigations

The house’s reputation for paranormal activity has attracted numerous investigators, including the Sci-Fi Channel’s “Ghost Hunters” team. The Ghost Guild Inc., which serves as the official paranormal investigative team for Mordecai Historic Park, has documented several unexplainable phenomena:

• Unexplained footsteps on the upper floors
• The sound of someone falling followed by a voice commanding “Get up!”
• Intense emotional responses from visitors in specific locations, particularly near the staircase
• Objects moving on their own, most notably a photograph of Mary Willis that reportedly tips over when visitors make comments she might have found offensive

Beyond the Main House

The paranormal activity extends beyond the mansion’s walls to other structures within Mordecai Historic Park. The birthplace of President Andrew Johnson, which was relocated to the park, has its own supernatural reputation. Investigators have captured what sounds like a child’s playful humming in electronic voice phenomenon (EVP) recordings near this building.

Legacy of the Living and the Dead

Today, Mordecai House stands as both a museum and a monument to Raleigh’s complex history. Its halls still contain original furnishings and artifacts from the Mordecai family, creating an authentic historical atmosphere that visitors can experience through regular tours. Whether drawn by the history or the haunting, those who walk through its doors often leave with their own stories to tell.

The house’s paranormal reputation has become an integral part of its identity, drawing curious visitors from across the country. Yet those who manage the site maintain a careful balance between acknowledging these supernatural elements and respecting the property’s significant historical importance—including its difficult history as a former plantation site.

As the oldest house still standing on its original foundation in Raleigh, Mordecai House continues to bridge the gap between past and present, between the tangible and the inexplicable. Its ghostly residents, particularly Mary Willis Mordecai Turk, seem content to share their historic home with the living, making occasional appearances to remind us that some connections to the past never truly fade away.

Works Cited

Foster, G. W. II. (2024). True ghost stories of North Carolina: Real and true hauntings and spooky stories of the Old North State. Reedsy.

Leah, H. (2022, October 3). Lady in gray: Raleigh legend says ghostly woman appears on balcony of centuries-old home. WRAL. https://www.wral.com/story/haunted-raleigh-mordecai-house-ghost/20501317/

Mosley, S. (2012). Ghost Stories In North Carolina: Every Haunted Place In North Carolina. Booktango.

US Ghost Adventures. (2023). Top 10 most haunted locations in Raleigh, NC. https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-cities/top-10-most-haunted-places/top-10-most-haunted-locations-in-raleigh-nc/

WTVD. (2018, October 18). Haunted Triangle: The haunting of Mordecai House. ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. https://abc11.com/mordecai-house-haunted-raleigh-triangle/4475672/