Deep in the heart of Southern Maryland lies a hidden gem rich in both history and hauntings — the Brome Howard House. Tucked within the scenic grounds of St. Mary’s City, this 19th-century plantation home offers more than just stunning river views and lush Southern landscapes. For ghost hunters, history buffs, and adventurers alike, this location provides a fascinating glimpse into early Maryland life — and perhaps, the afterlife.
The Brome Howard House is more than a restored antebellum mansion — it’s a portal to the past. From the whispers of enslaved voices to the unexplained footsteps that echo in its halls, this house has long been a focus of paranormal lore. Whether you’re drawn in by colonial tales or the thrill of ghostly encounters, the Brome Howard House offers a spine-tingling, historically rich experience you won’t soon forget.
The History of the Brome Howard House
Colonial Roots and Early Maryland
The Brome Howard House is located in Historic St. Mary’s City, often recognized as Maryland’s first colonial settlement founded in 1634. While the current structure of the Brome Howard House dates back to the 1840s, the land it stands upon has seen centuries of American evolution—from its earliest colonial days to the turbulent Civil War era. The house represents a later period of plantation life but retains the essence of Maryland’s deep southern heritage.
Standing on the original site of the 17th-century town of St. Mary’s City, the Brome Howard House mingles layers of time. It’s one of the few remaining examples of antebellum architecture in the area, built on land that bore witness to pivotal moments such as Maryland’s founding as a haven for religious freedom and colonial governance.
The Howard Family Legacy
The home was acquired by the Howard family, a wealthy and influential lineage deeply connected to the plantation economy of tobacco farming. Like many Southern homes of the era, life at the Brome Howard House was supported by enslaved labor, which adds a darker undertone to its carefully preserved beauty. Historical records suggest that enslaved individuals lived on the property right up until the Emancipation Proclamation in the 1860s.
Over generations, the Brome and later Howard families left their imprints on the property — from structural expansions to period-specific furnishings that have survived through preservation efforts. Today, the house is maintained by the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission and occasionally used for interpretive programs and special events. Much of its original integrity has been restored, giving visitors an authentic glimpse into Southern aristocratic life, complete with its complexities and contradictions.
Modern Preservation and Education
In the late 20th century, the property underwent significant restoration. Archaeologists and historians worked to preserve the surrounding land, outbuildings, and the house itself. These efforts revealed a wealth of artifacts and details that continue to inform Maryland’s colonial history. The Brome Howard House now functions as part of the larger Historic St. Mary’s City project, a living museum that draws thousands of students, tourists, and researchers every year.
While the house no longer functions as a public inn (as it did briefly in the 1990s), it remains a crucial piece of Maryland’s historical puzzle. Its grounds offer guided tours, reenactments, and eerie night walks—ideal settings to explore not only the house’s cultural importance but its paranormal secrets as well.
The Haunt
Do Spirits Still Walk These Grounds?
If walls could talk, the Brome Howard House would have eerie tales to share. Over the years, many visitors and staff have reported unusual sensations within the home: unexplained cold spots, flickering lights, and a constant feeling of being watched. Paranormal activity has been loosely documented, particularly during renovations and archaeological digs — times when energies are often believed to be stirred the most.
Frequent Phantom Phenomena
Stories circulated among locals and paranormal investigators about spectral sightings within the house — particularly a woman in period clothing appearing in the upstairs hallway. Witnesses describe her as wearing a dark dress with lace cuffs, drifting silently from one room to another before disappearing near the staircase. Whether she’s an echo of an enslaved woman, a member of the Howard family, or perhaps one of the 19th-century guests who stayed too long in the mortal world, her identity remains a mystery.
Other reports include:
- Disembodied Footsteps: Often heard pacing on the wooden floorboards of the second floor long after the house has closed for the day.
- Phantom Cigarette Smoke: Some have caught the scent of pipe or cigarette smoke, although smoking has long been prohibited in and around the house.
- Children’s Laughter: Echoing voices and laughter have been reported coming from the empty nursery wing.
- Object Movement: Small artifacts, particularly period-era dolls and kitchen tools, reportedly shift locations overnight without explanation.
While no formal ghost tours are regularly held at the Brome Howard House, the staff of Historic St. Mary’s City have acknowledged the lingering presence and accommodate occasional investigations by paranormal research teams. Sensitive investigators have claimed the house exudes strong residual energy, particularly in the original servant’s kitchen and the second floor master bedroom.
A Site for Paranormal Fieldwork
Though not as widely known as bigger haunted attractions in Maryland, the Brome Howard House offers a rare opportunity for serious ghost hunters and historical psychics. Its relatively undisturbed environment — coupled with strong documentation of past lives and a wealth of intact original architecture — makes it an ideal place for controlled investigations. Paranormal teams have reported EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recordings and anomalous EMF activity across various rooms of the house.
In fact, some believe the home’s spiritual activity is amplified by its location surrounded by centuries of colonial unrest, religious experimentation, and the deep psychic imprint of slavery. When history is this thick, the veil between worlds can grow thin — and at the Brome Howard House, it just might be gossamer.
Conclusion: A Timeless Destination for Ghost Hunters
The Brome Howard House is more than a relic of antebellum Maryland — it’s a living archive of emotion, human struggle, and possibly, otherworldly activity. Its rich historical context provides the perfect setting for the paranormal investigator seeking authenticity, raw energy, and untold stories yearning to be heard. This is not your run-of-the-mill haunted house; it’s a genuine piece of American history, layered with the spiritual residue of those who once walked its halls.
Whether you’re a history nerd, a thrill-seeking ghost hunter, or a quiet, curious observer of the uncanny, the Brome Howard House deserves a spot on your exploration map. Bring your recorder, open your senses, and step lightly — you never know who (or what) has lingered here over the last 200 years.
Next time you’re exploring Maryland’s haunted trail, make your way to Historic St. Mary’s City, and let the Brome Howard House welcome you — spirits and all.