Oak Hill Cottage conveniently located in Mansfield, Ohio is widely referenced for its rich history. This 1847 Gothic Revival house is home to seven gables, marble fireplaces, and five double chimneys, and is featured in a novel written by the Pulitzer Prize winner Louis Bromfield. Author Louis Bromfield often played at the home while growing up, and wrote his 1924 Novel titled “The Green Bay Tree” In his novel Louis Bromfield recollected his memories of the home for “Shanes Castle.”
John Robinson, whom built the cottage in 1847, occupied the cottage, along with their 12 children. Five of their twelve children were born in the cottage. The Robinson and their children remained in the cottage until 1861, when the cottage went back to the bank. The house was later sold on several occasions; however, none of the owners occupied the home.
Finally, in 1864 the cottage would again house tenants, after Dr. Johannes Jones and his family purchased the house. Dr Jones acquired the cottage for his wife Frances, whom had admired the cottage for many years. The Jones family would go on to occupy Oak Hill Cottage for the next 101 years, raising four girls in the cottage, and losing one child in early infancy.
Haunting at Oak Hill Cottage
Oak Hill Cottage seems to be abundant with ghost, from the very young to the old. No wonder so many visitors touring the cottage claim to feel a presence of someone watching them, some even going as far to say they cannot stay.
At the cottage is a back stairway leading to the maids rooms and at the top of the stairs landing is a small room. Supposedly, one of the Robinsons sons died in that very room at a young age. It is this specific room that visitors often see a young boy of about four, dressed in period clothing hanging around.
In the basement, it's said that a grouchy old man lingers around the furnace area, people that use to tend to the furnace would claim to feel someone watching over them as they would stoke it with coal. Perhaps this ghost is not happy with visitors poking around in his space, or maybe he is protecting his home.
Another ghost commonly seen all through the cottage is that of a female, wearing 1880s period clothing. Unlike the grumpy old man, it's said that this ghost is actually very friendly and happy to see visitors wondering around her home.
Some visitors to Oak Hill Cottage have reported of seeing the lights flicker on and off, and some visitors even claim to see a woman ghost straitening up the cottage, by fluffing the pillows and checking for dust.
Historic Oak Hill Cottage
In 1965, one of the Robinsons daughters Leile sold the family home and all of its content, to the Richland county Historical Society in hopes that the house, furnishings, and the grounds might be preserved. Then in 2000, Friends of the Libraries U.S.A. designated Oak Hill cottage as a Literary Landmark, on part of Author Louis Bromfield’s novel “The Green Bay Tree.”
Today, the Cottage is open from the first part of April until the end of December, and holds tours on Sunday. For anyone interested in catching a glimpse of a few ghosts, Oak Hill Cottage is a must-see. This house is also a great place to step back into 1864 and admire its Gothic Revival architect.
Source: Oak Hill Cottage
Reference: Oak Hill Tours
Kelleigh Dotson - I am a recently divorced mother of two teenage girls, I love reading, writing, and taking digital pictures. I get so lost into my writing ...
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