Hidden among moss-draped oaks in the charming town of Brooksville, Florida stands a place where the veil between history and the supernatural feels tantalizingly thin. Welcome to the May-Stringer House — a stunning Victorian-era home turned museum that offers more than just timeless antiques and Civil War relics. With over 150 years of layered history and whispers of ghostly encounters within its gingerbread trim, the May-Stringer House has become one of Florida’s most intriguing haunted destinations. Whether you’re a history buff, paranormal enthusiast, or weekend road-tripper looking for a bit of both, the May-Stringer House is a must-stop location that promises a journey through time—with a few chills along the way.
The History
Birth of a Homestead in a Young Florida
The story of the May-Stringer House begins in the mid-19th century, a time when Florida was still largely wild and undeveloped. In 1855, John L. May, a Confederate Army veteran and one of Brooksville’s earliest settlers, purchased the land and built a simple four-room house for his wife, Marena, and their children. The location on a high hill offered picturesque views of what was then a budding community surrounded by dense woods and untamed wilderness.
Sadly, John May would not live to see the home’s evolution. He died of tuberculosis in 1858, leaving behind Marena and their daughters. Marena, later remarried to Dr. Sheldon Stringer, a local physician who made several additions to the growing residence. With his improvements, the home transformed into the elegant, 14-room Victorian structure still standing today.
A Role in Civil War and Medicine
During the Civil War era, Dr. Stringer used the house as both a family home and a makeshift clinic. Local legend says soldiers, injured or sick, were treated in various rooms—making the house a silent witness to both healing and suffering. With primitive medical practices of the time and limited treatments, many patients would never leave the premises alive. This aspect contributes significantly to the home’s lingering reputation for paranormal activity.
After Dr. Stringer’s passing, the house changed hands multiple times before being acquired by the Hernando Historical Museum Association in the 1980s. The organization restored the May-Stringer House to its 19th-century splendor, featuring accurate period furnishings, war-time artifacts, and personal belongings once owned by the families who lived there. Today, it serves as a historical museum, open for public tours.
Victorian Architecture and Museum Appeal
The building’s “Painted Lady” aesthetic reflects classic Victorian design, complete with ornate millwork, gables, and bay windows. The home sits amid lush gardens and even boasts a small cemetery on its grounds. Visitors can walk through antique-filled rooms including a Civil War bedroom, a nursery, and Dr. Stringer’s old office—each room carefully curated with artifacts that tell the tale of the region’s past.
But for many visitors, it’s not just the historical preservation that draws attention—it’s what lingers in the air beyond the objects and stories. The past here feels unusually present…and sometimes, it likes to make itself known.
The Haunt
Known by some as the “Most Haunted House in Florida,” the May-Stringer House has built a spine-tingling reputation among ghost hunters and curious thrill-seekers. With over 80 documented spirits said to inhabit the property, the tales of unexplained noises, shadowy figures, and chilling cold spots have only grown stronger over the decades.
Ghost of Little Jessie May
The most well-known spirit said to roam the halls is that of Jessie May, the daughter of Marena and John. Records indicate that Jessie died tragically of a childhood illness at the age of three, a loss so devastating that Jessie was buried on the property itself. Her presence is one of the most frequently reported by staff and paranormal investigators.
Visitors often report hearing a child’s laughter or footsteps running upstairs when no one else is present. Some have claimed to see a small, shadowy figure peeking from around corners or playing in the nursery room, which has been restored with toys and period furniture. EMF (electromagnetic field) meters and EVP (electronic voice phenomena) recordings frequently pick up unusual and unexplained readings in Jessie’s room.
The Lady in White
Another spectral resident of the May-Stringer House is the Lady in White, believed by some to be the grief-stricken spirit of Marena May herself. After losing both her husband and her young daughter, Marena reportedly fell into a deep sorrow. She is thought to linger in her former home, searching for her loved ones. Visitors have seen her ghostly figure gliding down staircases or standing at windows, dressed in a flowing, ethereal gown.
Some volunteers at the museum have even reported strange emotional shifts when entering certain rooms—especially Marena’s bedroom—as though overcome by waves of grief or nostalgia.
Phantom Patients of Dr. Stringer
Dr. Stringer’s old office, now set up as a 19th-century medical suite, is not without its own paranormal residents. Many believe the spirits of patients who died during treatment continue to echo their pain and presence. Cold drafts, doors that open and close on their own, and distant moans have all been captured here.
Apparitions dressed in tattered Civil War uniforms have occasionally been spotted in mirrors or standing near the examination table. For those who are sensitive to energies or trained in spiritual communication, this room often triggers intense reactions and strong EVP activity.
Investigative Highlights
Numerous paranormal investigation groups have visited the May-Stringer House over the years. Notable mentions include television appearances and features by teams like Ghost Hunters International and local Florida-based ghost hunting crews. Their equipment—ranging from thermal cameras to spirit boxes—has picked up everything from ghostly voices to unexplained movements and anomalies.
During guided ghost tours, guests are also encouraged to bring their own ghost-hunting gear. Many have left with personal experiences, including orbs captured on camera, sudden equipment activation, and audible whispers even when the house is seemingly empty.
Why Every Ghost Hunter Should Visit
Whether you’re an experienced paranormal investigator or just someone looking to dip your toes into the supernatural, the May-Stringer House offers a paranormal playground rich in history and ghostly lore. Its well-preserved architecture, combined with the tragic narratives that shaped it, creates an environment ripe for contact with the other side.
Unlike over-commercialized haunted attractions, the May-Stringer House respects both its history and its spirits. This is a location where genuine emotional imprints still linger, and where the stories aren’t just told—they’re felt. Visitors leave not just with a sense of wonder but often with personal, spine-tingling experiences that will stay with them long after they’ve gone.
The house is open for historical tours during the day, but the real adventure begins with the evening ghost tours and private overnight investigations. If you’re looking for chills, rich storytelling, and a peek beyond the veil, this Florida gem won’t disappoint.
So pack your EMF reader, charge up those cameras, and head to the May-Stringer House. The spirits just might be waiting for you.