We have done a lot of fun things on this channel, but a late-night paranormal investigation in one of America's most haunted houses was a first. We spent an evening at the Sorrel-Weed House in Savannah, partnered with a pair of professional ghost hunters, and walked away with goosebumps, a racing heart rate, and a few moments we genuinely could not explain. Here is the history, our experience, and what to expect if you are brave enough to book it.
Is the Sorrel-Weed House worth visiting?
Yes, whether you are a hardcore believer or a curious skeptic. By day it is a beautifully preserved example of Greek Revival architecture and one of Savannah's most significant historic homes. By night, it is widely considered one of the most haunted houses in America, with a ghost-tour experience that is genuinely thrilling. Either way, it is a fascinating stop.
A little history first
The Sorrel-Weed House was built around 1840 for Francis Sorrel, a wealthy shipping merchant who, interestingly, grew up humbly in what is now Haiti before becoming one of the richest men in Savannah. The mansion is considered one of the finest examples of Greek Revival and Regency architecture in the city.
Francis sold the home in 1859, and it was purchased by Henry D. Weed, a wealthy businessman, which is how it earned the name Sorrel-Weed House. It stayed in the Weed family into the early 1900s.
The legend behind the hauntings
The house's dark reputation comes from a tragic legend. Francis's first wife, Lucinda, died of yellow fever, and he later married her sister, Matilda. As the story goes, Matilda discovered that Francis was having an affair with an enslaved woman named Molly, and in her grief jumped to her death from a second-story balcony. Molly, who is said to have lived in the carriage house behind the home, died under mysterious circumstances shortly after.
It is important to say: this is legend, passed down and leaned into by the tours, not fully documented history. But it is the story that draws ghost hunters from all over, and the house has been featured on shows like Ghost Adventures as one of the most haunted places investigators have ever explored.
Our paranormal investigation
We are not seasoned ghost hunters, so we did the smart thing and partnered with the pros, who brought a full kit: a spirit box, an SLS camera, EMF meters, motion sensors, dowsing rods, and the little light-up "cat ball" toys that are said to react to spirits. We investigated three areas: the first floor, the basement, and the carriage house.
A few moments stuck with us:
The basement and the "Shadow Man." The basement, said to have been used as a surgical ward for amputations, is where things got intense. There is a particular chair tied to a tall shadow figure the guides call the Shadow Man. When we politely refused to sit in "his" chair without permission, the motion sensors and equipment lit up in ways that were hard to brush off. At one point it really did feel like something wanted us to trigger the motion sensor so it could "leave" the chair.
The children. The cat balls and sensors reacted in patterns that the guides associated with child spirits, including one named Sarah. Whether you believe it or not, watching those toys light up on cue in a pitch-dark room is unsettling.
The carriage house and "Charlie." Using the dowsing rods, we seemed to get clear yes/no responses from a presence the group called Charlie, who reacted (a lot) when we joked about playing a Hall and Oates song.
The Spirit Box words. The spirit box pushed out actual words during the night, and not friendly ones. We heard things like "drowned," "dangerous," and even "am I dead," which raised the hair on our arms.
Camille had goosebumps and a climbing heart rate the entire time (she was too scared to even sit in certain spots), while Aaron tried to play it cool. For our first paranormal investigation, partnering with experienced guides made all the difference, both for the experience and for not totally losing our nerve.
What to expect if you go
It is genuinely spooky. Even as skeptics, we caught ourselves jumping. If you scare easily, know that going in.
Go with the guided investigation. The pros and their equipment make the experience.
Daytime tours exist too. If the full ghost hunt is too much, the house also offers history and architecture tours that are fascinating in their own right.
Be respectful. The guides treat it seriously, and the house has a real, sometimes painful history tied to slavery. Approach it with that in mind.
FAQ
Where is the Sorrel-Weed House?
In Savannah's historic district, on Madison Square. It is one of the city's landmark homes.
Is the Sorrel-Weed House really haunted?
It is considered one of the most haunted houses in America and has been featured on national paranormal shows. The famous legend behind it is lore, but the experience is real and very popular.
Can you do a ghost tour there?
Yes. The house offers nighttime paranormal investigations and tours, plus daytime history and architecture tours.
Is it family-friendly?
The history tours can be, but the nighttime investigations are intense and better suited to older kids and adults.
The Verdict
Believer or skeptic, the Sorrel-Weed House delivers. The architecture and history alone make it worth a visit, and the nighttime investigation is one of the most thrilling things we have done on the channel. We came in curious and left with goosebumps and stories we are still telling. If you want a real taste of haunted Savannah, this is the place. Just maybe bring someone braver than Camille felt that night.
Want to see us get spooked? Watch the full night on YouTube: A Night at the Sorrel-Weed House, and pair it with our Savannah weekend guide. Subscribe to Finding Our Forte for more.
