Spirit House

Spirit House is a historic residence in Georgetown featuring distinctive architectural details on its exterior walls. The facade displays vertical wood elements with scalloped patterning and a three-tiered cornice decorated with downward-facing ornamental features.

Timothy Brown moved from Vermont to Georgetown in 1847 and built this house in 1865 as a residence inspired by Spiritualist beliefs. The property was formally recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

The second floor functioned as a gathering place for followers of Spiritualism, a 19th-century movement centered on communicating with the deceased. Visitors can sense how this belief system shaped the purpose and use of the interior spaces.

The property sits on a small lot and can be viewed from the street to appreciate its architectural features. Walking through the area allows visitors to observe the exterior details and understand how the building fits into its surrounding neighborhood.

The interior design intentionally eliminated corners in every room based on the belief that spirits could become trapped in angular spaces. This unusual spatial arrangement reflected the owner's commitment to Spiritualist principles in the very structure of the home.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 42.67556,-75.73750

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:00