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| True Vermont Ghost Stories
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Equinox Resort
Manchester Village, Vermont
The Equinox seems to have a reputation of being a well respected hotel/resort and therefore that is why I have found it extremely hard to find very much information on the hauntings within its walls. The Equinox was established in 1853 and wants to stay solid on its reputation for a great place to stay which makes it hard to talk about the spirits who also want to be recognized there as well. The name Equinox came from the mountain that sits directly behind the resort. What I have found out is that the Equinox has seen many changes, some just owner changeovers and some are huge renovations and rebuilds on the land. It wasn’t until the mid 1860’s that the Equinox was noticed for its superb accommodations when Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of Abraham Lincoln, came to spend the summer with her children Robert and Tad. With all of the publicity this resort received from their summer visitors, the Equinox became an upscale resort for the elite. Robert would return often to Manchester and eventually took up residence, encouraging his New York friends to join him. Up until the great depression the Equinox was in its glory taking in many of America’s socialites and Political figures. But alas the Equinox shut its doors no longer being able to keep up with the depression. Amongst all its happiness lies Depression. Lonely and abandoned since 1972 The Equinox was reopened in 1985 as another resort hotel trying to capture the essence of the original. During the rebuild the Equinox had no choice but to share its secrets with today’s society. Workers came across a secret passageway in the attic that separated two rooms, today that area is the spa. In 1992 the renovations were complete but additions continue to be built onto the hotel increasing its number of rooms. Like I said early it was very hard to find many stories of the hauntings that go on inside the resort and it could be because they want to show respect to the building and land and keep the stories from the public. The stories I have found are eerie and this could be the other reason there isn’t a lot mentioned. The fact that the stories they have shared with the public are so intense and real, that is all the information they have to give to make us interested in the spirits that live inside. One story in particular comes from two housekeepers during their regular shifts. While cleaning up rooms on the second story they went their separate ways to make beds. Returning to the 1st floor they noticed that the beds they had made already had been ripped apart, pillows thrown on the floor and bed sheets pulled off. The ghost has yet to be identified but continues to enjoy making more work for the Housekeeping staff. One rumor is that Mary Todd Lincoln roams the halls waiting for her husband Mr. Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln was to visit the Equinox and the resort went as far as creating the Lincoln’s their own room to make their stay much more enjoyable. Mr. Lincoln never made it. He was assassinated in April 1865. Mrs. Lincoln never came back to spend her summers. However it is believed that she roams the halls waiting for him to join her at the beautiful resort. Images of a woman and child on the 3rd floor have been spoken about for years. The staff references her as Mary and child and they believe the spirit resembles Mrs. Lincoln.
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