Newport in Rhode Island is known for the America’s Cup, an annual sailing competition that took place for many years. Aside from that, the area is known also for the Gilded Age mansions, many of which have already been converted to museums.

A photo of what you will most likely see in Newport, Rhode Island. (Link: https://www.newyorkfamily.com/a-perfect-family-getaway-to-newport-rhode-island/)

Another reason why Newport is being visited by tourists is because it is where the White Horse Tavern is located. The place has so much history and is reportedly haunted.

How the White Horse Tavern looks from the outside. (Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Horse_Tavern_(Newport,_Rhode_Island))

The History Of White Horse Tavern

The White Horse Tavern was constructed sometime in 1673. Many believe that this specific tavern is actually the oldest tavern in the whole of United States. If you want to visit it, it is located on the Farewell and Marlborough streets in Newport.

An old photo of the White Horse Tavern. (Link: https://lostnewengland.com/2019/05/white-horse-tavern-newport-rhode-island/)

Originally, a smaller building was built in the land where the White Horse Tavern stands now. The first owner of that land was Francis Brinley, an English immigrant. He had a building built there in 1652. Later, he sold the property to William Mayes and enlarged the original building for it to become a tavern. The White Horse Tavern later became a venue for meetings, a court house, and even a city hall of the city. It only officially became a tavern in 1687 after Mayes obtained a license to operate it as such. His son, who has the same name, was the one who operated it as a tavern until the eighteenth century.

Another old photo of the White Horse Tavern. (Link: https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/people/staying-power-white-horse-tavern)

During the American Revolution, the White Horse Tavern also served as the quarters of the Tories and British troops.

Later, after the battle, the Van Bueren family donated money to Preservation Society of Newport in order to restore the building in its former glory. After it was restored, it was sold and it operated as a private tavern and later as a restaurant. Today, it is a very popular spot that visitors visit during tours for food, drinks, and haunted stories.

A Man Allegedly Died Under Mysterious Circumstances In The White Horse Tavern

A big part of why the White Horse Tavern is allegedly haunted is because of the supposed death of a man under mysterious circumstances back in the 1700s. Accordingly, the man died in one of the rooms on the second floor of the tavern.

It is unclear who this man is, where he came from, why he was in the tavern, and how he died. It is believed, however, that he died due to smallpox but there is no record to prove that.

This man is believed to be the same man spotted hanging out by one of the fireplaces at the White Horse Tavern. He also is reportedly seen in the men’s bathroom upstairs. This man reportedly wears Colonial period clothing.

One of the fire places at the White Horse Tavern. (Link: https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g60978-d496073-i40042899-The_White_Horse_Tavern-Newport_Rhode_Island.html)

Other Ghosts At The White Horse Tavern

Some visitors and staff also claimed to have seen a woman wandering around the White Horse Tavern. She was seen floating around by many people. The woman reportedly disappears once she reaches one of the fireplaces.

How the White Horse Tavern looks inside. (Link: https://whitehorsenewport.com/dining-with-us/)

Another ghost is said to be that of a young girl. She is said to be making the crying noises. She has been heard by visitors whenever they got near the bathroom. They have checked around when they heard the young girl’s cries and could not find anyone. Also, during those times her cries are heard, there are no children nearby.

Others have reported feeling a hand on their shoulder. When they turn to see who it is, no one is there. The staff at the White Horse Tavern are said to be the ones who get a tap on their shoulder. They believe that the spirit belongs to an elderly man who acts as a guardian of the building.

There are also heavy footsteps heard on the second floor of the White Horse Tavern when no one is there.

A Woman Refused To Go Inside The White Horse Tavern

A woman who owns a blog shared that she was doing tours for this group when they stopped by the White Horse Tavern. She told the group that they would go inside however one lady refused to go inside. When asked about it, the lady shared, “I had dinner there last night. It was my anniversary, and my husband and I were seated at the corner of the fireplace, over in that little room upstairs, but that damn ghost was bothering me so much, that we had to have our very expensive dinner packed up, and we ended up eating it back at our room.” She did not elaborate on what the ghost did to her and her husband during their dinner.

A Boy Was Followed Around By One Of The Ghosts

A seven-year-old boy went to lunch with his family at the White Horse Tavern. He said he had to go to the restroom upstairs so he was allowed to go alone. The boy did not come down for long so when his parents went looking for him and was asked what took him so long to use the restroom, he shared, “Well, when I came out of the bathroom, I went in the big room and I thought maybe I was going in the wrong direction so I went around the other way and there was a man there and he followed me around, and so then I went back around the other way, and then he wasn’t there, and then I started to go down the stairs and then he was there.” He also told them that the old man had an old-fashioned coat and clothes. The waiters reportedly knew exactly it was the same ghost they saw before.

So, would you visit one of the most haunted bars in the United States?

A sign showing the White Horse Tavern recognized as the oldest tavern in the United States. (Link: https://thedrunkenodyssey.com/2015/07/13/the-global-barflys-companion-the-white-horse-tavern-newport-ri/)