The Hauntings of Star Island



The Ghost of Hannah “Ma” Parsons

One of the island’s most enduring spirits is believed to be Hannah Parsons, known as “Ma Parsons,” the matron of the Star Island hotel in the early 20th century. She’s remembered as kind but strict, a woman who ran the hotel with old-fashioned discipline.

Visitors to the Oceanic Hotel often report:

• Cold spots in Ma Parsons’ old quarters
• The sound of footsteps in empty hallways
• Lights turning on and off without explanation
• Doors closing on their own  even when braced open

Some guests say they've seen a stern older woman in period dress peering out windows or standing silently at the end of their beds only to vanish when they look twice.

The Lady in White

Another recurring specter is the Lady in White, said to roam near the chapel and garden paths. Described as a pale, veiled figure in a flowing white gown, she has been seen by both children and adults. Her legend is rooted in tragedy, many believe she was a young bride-to-be, whose fiancé died at sea. She waited, watching the horizon every night, until finally throwing herself into the surf below. Her spirit is said to wander endlessly, searching for his return.

Chapel-goers have reported:

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• Cold gusts of wind inside the sanctuary
• A woman's voice singing softly near the pews
• A presence behind them when no one is there

Phantom Voices in the Cottages

The old summer cottages scattered across Star Island were once used by entire families escaping city life. Now, several sit unused and strange noises have been reported from within.

Caregivers and conference guests have heard:

• Children laughing and playing upstairs in locked buildings
• The sound of clinking dishes and footsteps
• Unseen figures watching them from windows

One former worker described waking up in the middle of the night to someone whispering her name, though she was entirely alone on that end of the island.

Other Supernatural Phenomena

• Apparitions along the rocky shorelines, especially on foggy nights
• Sudden, inexplicable nausea or headaches when approaching certain buildings
• A phenomenon locals call “the Watchers” — the feeling that someone is always observing, even in empty rooms
• The Oceanic Hotel, open only seasonally, is considered the center of the island’s supernatural energy, with guests regularly leaving early after strange nights and never asking for a refund.

Paranormal Investigations

Despite its remote location and seasonal access, paranormal investigators have visited Star Island. Some teams have captured:

• Unexplained EMF spikes
• EVP recordings of whispers or responses to direct questions
• Photographs showing shadow figures in windows or along the cliffs

Interestingly, the island's management doesn’t market the hauntings — but they don’t deny them either.  Many believe the spirits remain because Star Island was never just a vacation spot. It was a place of birth, death, isolation, and grief, a liminal space between land and sea.

Visiting Star Island Today

Today, Star Island is home to spiritual retreats, writing workshops, and historical tours, mostly operating from late spring to early fall. While the day brings sunshine and sweeping ocean views, the night changes everything. The wind howls. The waves crash like voices. And for those who listen, sometimes, they hear something that was never supposed to speak again.

If you go, be respectful and if you hear footsteps behind you in the dark — don’t turn around.

Location:

Star Island, Isles of Shoals

7 miles off the coast of Rye, New Hampshire

Accessible by ferry in summer