Historically Spirited
For over 130 years, this house has been filled with life, laughter, and perhaps,
a few lingering presences.
We, and those who have come before us
from previous owners to visiting guests and dedicated staff... have all collected tales of unexplained happenings that add a unique and fascinating dimension to its history.
Come experience the wonder of a bygone era, where every creak and whisper might just be part of the story.
Experience The Spirit of George Starrett
Your evening supports the preservation of The Starrett House and
the mission of Bayside Housing & Services.
The walls of this 1889 Historic Victorian Mansion hold many secrets and stories from its 130+ years.
Among the most captivating are those shared by previous owners about the home's unseen protectors, the guests, and the staff of today.
The Starrett's Nanny
One enduring legend speaks of the Starrett family's nanny, whose presence is still felt.
Guests of past owners who dared to speak disparagingly of the family or the home reportedly received a mysterious tap or 'bonk' on the head—a gentle warning, perhaps, from a spirit still dedicated to her watch.
Ask our Staff, and you'll likely hear tales of our resident nanny.
It's a common, almost anticipated, occurrence:
Doors are found closed after being left ajar, and lights in unoccupied rooms mysteriously go out. "The nanny's been through," they'll say with a knowing smile. Her perceived diligence in tidying up unoccupied spaces and conserving energy is a charmingly spooky quirk of this grand old home, a sign that she continues her dedicated work to this very day.
Our staff are no strangers to the unique atmosphere, but some experiences stand out.
One team member recounts a particularly vivid encounter:
While cleaning Room 1, she clearly saw a woman in a period black Victorian dress walk out of Room 5. "I tried to speak to her," she recalled, "but it was like I wasn't even there."
The true chill came when she mentally checked the facts: she was the only one scheduled to be in the house, and all access points were locked. Her heart pounding, she quickly moved to the staircase where the figure had been, only to find it utterly deserted. The silent woman in black remains an unforgettable, unexplained sighting.
The grand quiet that settles over
Port Townsend after the last guests
depart often holds a unique stillness.
It was in such a moment that one of our staff members, while on the phone with our general manager, experienced something truly profound.
As she walked past the historic Starrett Suite, her eyes caught a fleeting glimpse of a woman standing pensively by the window, looking out. Startled, she immediately recounted what she'd seen to the manager.
The timing was uncanny. The manager shared that Ann Starrett's death certificate, missing since her passing, had been discovered just two days before this sighting. For years, a misspelling of her name on the document had shrouded aspects of her life and death in mystery. Ann had sadly succumbed to cancer at the young age of 51. The staff, connecting these poignant events, believe this was Ann's gentle way of showing herself, a serene acknowledgement that with the truth of her records finally clear, she could truly rest in peace.
The dead of night in our Victorian home brings more than just silence.
We've heard from guests who, while tucked away and believing themselves alone, have clearly perceived a man walking the halls.
Not only footsteps, but also the sound of him talking softly to himself, or perhaps to someone unseen. Some have even mused if this late-night wanderer might be George Starrett himself. It's a recurring tale from those who've experienced the house after dark.
