THE MUSICAL HOUSEKEEPER

Gaineswood Mansion, built between 1843 and 1860, has been called a magnificent example of Greek Revival architecture. After the death of his wife, Nathan Whitfield, hired a young woman to care for the house and the children. She loved to play the piano and would play for the family in the evenings. She fell ill and died in 1856. She had requested to be buried back east in her hometown.

Due to a hard winter her remains could not be sent for some time after and was kept under the stairs in the basement.

Before her burial visitors heard footsteps coming up the basement stairs and going to the room where the piano was. Then the songs that the young woman used to like could be heard all through the mansion.

She hasn't been back since she was given a proper burial, but that doesn't mean that she won't come back to play the piano she loved so much.