The haunting ring of a bell. Messages from an unfriendly spirit. An unexplained scream.
Depending on your worldview, staying the night at a notoriously haunted mansion might sound like spooky fun … or recklessly asking for trouble.
But when I pitched my editor on writing about what it’s like to have a sleepover with ghosts, I didn’t propose staying at any old haunted house. I wanted to spend the night at the S.K. Pierce Mansion in Gardner — a gorgeous but intimidating 9,518-square-foot Victorian home known for being one of the most haunted locations in Massachusetts.
Being a deeply skeptical history buff with a dark fascination, I was eager to check out the unique experience the mansion’s new owners are now offering for $120: a 12-hour, overnight stay in a private room, complete with a guided paranormal investigation. With the lights off…