The Spirits of The Shiplap House

Posted: 12.31.2024 | Updated: 12.31.2024

Annapolis, Maryland, boasts a colorful historical tapestry woven together with every inch of its cobblestone streets and period-style architecture. Modern entertainment and nightlife perfectly blend with its past, making Annapolis a must-see location for many. However, something darker is underneath the current of this historically maritime city, one filled with hauntings and ghosts. 

Tucked away at 11 Pinkney Street in Annapolis’s historic district, the Shiplap House stands as one of Annapolis’s oldest buildings. Once a tavern and private home, this cherished building now serves a different purpose. It adds to the story of Annapolis’s past and serves as a grim reminder that death still lingers, adding to the unnatural chills Annapolis brings come nightfall.

An up close and personal ghost experience of your own awaits you with Annapolis Ghosts! Visit our site today and book a ghost tour for an unforgettable experience you won’t forget for years to come. Be sure to check out our blog for more unsettling stories surrounding some of Annapolis’s most haunted locations.

Is the Shiplap House Haunted?

Tragedy reverberates through narrow Pinkney Street from the Shiplap House. It connects its history to a time when it was a lively tavern frequented by shady characters. This darker aspect is intertwined with Annapolis’s equally as grim past, leading many to believe the Shiplap house still harbors guests who refuse to leave even in death. 

History of the Shiplap House

The Shiplap House is one of the oldest standing buildings in Annapolis, dating back to around 1715. Its name comes from its unique design, which is ideal for maritime locations. Its goal is to keep water and wind out while retaining warmth. 

As early as 1718, the building was owned by Edward Smith, who operated it as an inn and tavern until 1724. It changed ownership multiple times until the 1780s when John Humphrey purchased it and turned it into a tavern called The Harp and Crown. 

In later years, the house passed through the hands of various merchants and artists, with artist Francis Blackwell Mayer being the most notable resident from 1877 to 1901. 

The house fell into disrepair afterward and was purchased by the Historic Annapolis Foundation in 1957. Following restoration efforts, it now serves as a historic landmark and the Foundation’s administrative office. Though not accessible to the public, the Shiplap House adds a charming touch of historical beauty to Annapolis’ historic district.

Hauntings Overview

It’s not just the Shiplap House’s ignoble early beginnings that have caused many to believe it is haunted. Smallpox outbreaks happened practically yearly in and around Annapolis throughout the 19th century. In a time when medicine was scarce, if available at all, it’s no surprise that this aggressive disease found its way to some of the residents of the Shiplap House, some of whom refused to leave. 

The ghost of a five-year-old girl named Audrey is believed to still reside in the Shiplap House, looking for a playmate. She’s been described as a less quarrelsome spirit by past residents, but that understandably doesn’t take away from the fright they would feel based on what their children would say; Audrey was playing games with them, borrowing toys, or breaking objects. Adults have also experienced her when alone in the home in the form of innocent child-like laughter reverberating through the rooms. 

The spirit of Audrey’s nursemaid, Mary, is also believed to inhabit the Shiplap House. She’s been described as a young woman in a dark, long dress and an apron. Former residents have claimed over the years that her ghost still lingers in the nursery, caring for their children who slept in the room. Mary has been known to tuck fallen toys back into bed and even give a corrective swat from time to time. 

A Rejected Proposal

The Shiplap House is famously haunted by Adrienne, a barista and prostitute who worked at the former Tavern. Known for her beauty, she turned down several marriage proposals, but one may have led to her demise, as it is believed. She was found bludgeoned to death outside of the then tavern. 

Adrienne’s ghost has since been seen haunting the age-old establishment. Frank Mayer, an artist from a prominent Baltimore family, encountered her presence when he purchased the house in 1877. He saw the ghostly barista’s figure moving through his home, as well as the garden area, sightings later corroborated by his neighbors. 

The ghostly experiences intensified when he later married Ellen Brewer. The story goes that Mayer was lying in bed one evening waiting for Ellen to finish her chores downstairs for the night. He heard approaching footsteps and smelled a peculiarly strong rose-scented perfume he had never smelled before. 

Mayer naturally complimented the scent, thinking Ellen was lying next to him, but oddly enough, there was no response. He moved closer to her and brushed his feet with hers, but they were frigid to the point where he yelled about it. However, something was off when he heard his wife’s response come from downstairs. 

Horrified, Mayer jumped out of bed and was greeted by his wife, who met him at the top of the stairs, wondering about the ruckus. He peeped into the room and noticed an indent on Ellen’s pillow, along with the shape of someone lying on her side of the bed. The couple later noticed the name “Adrienne” written in lipstick on the mattress cover.

Haunted Annapolis

Annapolis, MD, is home to the breathtaking experience of maritime life, from the waterway of Ego Valley to the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy. The past and present collide in this nationally renowned city, leading some to believe it’s not just the living who walk its streets when the sun goes down. A plethora of haunted sites, filled with ghost stories of tragedy, death, and despair, are hidden in plain sight in Maryland’s capital. 

A prime example is The Shiplap House, located at 11 Pinkney Street.  It holds a special place in Annapolis’s historic district, a simple stop-by while taking in the view of the city. What’s unknown to some is that this former tavern and private residence has hosted some of man’s worst vices and tragedies common to earlier times. Consequently, death may have left its mark, with some of its victims lingering in this life and the next.

There’s a different side to Annapolis, filled with the dead lurking in its dark corridors. Come and experience them firsthand on a spine-chilling ghost tour like you’ve never experienced. Visit our website today and book a spot with Annapolis Ghosts. Make sure to read up on our blog for more chill-ridden stories, and stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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