Step into the shadowy halls of Savannah's most notorious haunted mansion, the Sorrel-Weed House, where tragedy and terror have left an indelible mark on this antebellum Greek Revival masterpiece. Built in the 1840s by Francis Sorrel, this imposing structure has witnessed unspeakable family tragedies, including Matilda Sorrel's devastating suicide, creating a paranormal hotspot that continues to terrify visitors and investigators alike. The mansion's dark history and reported violent supernatural encounters made it a compelling investigation site for the Expedition X team.
The Sorrel-Weed House is a Greek Revival and Regency mansion located at 6 West Harris Street on Madison Square in Savannah, Georgia. At approximately 16,000 square feet, it is one of the largest houses in the city and represents one of the finest examples of its architectural style in Savannah. Built in the 1840s for Francis Sorrel, the house was designated a State Landmark in 1954, becoming one of the first two homes in Georgia to receive this honor. The mansion now operates as a museum offering historical tours by day and ghost tours by night, drawing investigators like the Expedition X team to explore reports of violent paranormal activity connected to the building's tragic past.
Francis Sorrel commissions construction of the Greek Revival mansion on Madison Square
House first opened to the public by the Society for the Preservation of Savannah Landmarks for a furniture and fine arts exhibition
Designated as one of the first two State Landmarks in Georgia
Reopened to the public as the Old Sorrel-Weed House Museum with daily historical and nightly ghost tours
Expedition X team investigates paranormal activity reports across two episodes
The Sorrel-Weed House represents a significant example of antebellum Greek Revival architecture in the American South. Built during the 1840s for merchant Francis Sorrel, the mansion's architectural pedigree was formally recognized in 1954 when it became one of the first two homes in Georgia to achieve State Landmark status. The house's historical importance led to its use as the first public exhibition space for the Society for the Preservation of Savannah Landmarks in 1940, an organization that would evolve into the Historic Savannah Foundation.
The building's reputation as a paranormal hotspot centers on family tragedies that occurred within its walls, most notably the reported suicide of Matilda Sorrel. Historical records confirm the deaths occurred, though the specific circumstances and their connection to paranormal phenomena remain subjects of local lore rather than documented historical fact. The house has operated as a ghost tour destination since reopening to the public in 2005, with the Old Sorrel-Weed House Museum conducting nightly tours alongside daytime historical and architectural tours.
The Expedition X team's two-episode investigation of the Sorrel-Weed House brought scientific equipment and systematic methodology to a location long associated with ghost stories. While many Savannah buildings claim haunted histories, the Sorrel-Weed House's combination of documented family tragedies, architectural significance, and substantial square footage made it a compelling investigation site. The team's approach represents a contrast to anecdotal ghost tour narratives, though the episodes acknowledged the genuine historical tragedies that occurred in the house.
Historians and preservationists value the Sorrel-Weed House primarily for its architectural merit and its role in Savannah's preservation movement. The building's Greek Revival and Regency elements showcase the refined tastes of Savannah's merchant class during the antebellum period, while its early landmark designation helped establish the framework for historic preservation efforts throughout Georgia.
At 16,000 square feet, the Sorrel-Weed House is one of the largest houses in Savannah
The house was one of the first two homes in the entire State of Georgia to receive State Landmark designation in 1954
The building served as the very first public exhibition space for the Society for the Preservation of Savannah Landmarks in January 1940
The mansion showcases both Greek Revival and Regency architectural styles, representing one of the finest examples of these designs in Savannah
The Old Sorrel-Weed House Museum is open to the public with historical and architectural tours offered during daytime hours and ghost tours conducted inside the house each evening. The museum is located at the prominent corner of Bull Street and Harris Street on Madison Square in Savannah's historic district, making it accessible to visitors exploring the city's landmarks. Check the museum's current schedule and tour availability before visiting.
Located in downtown Savannah, Georgia, approximately 2 miles from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
Savannah's mild spring and fall seasons offer comfortable weather for exploring the historic district, though the house's indoor tours operate year-round. Summer can be hot and humid, while winter provides fewer crowds for both daytime historical tours and evening ghost tours.
Georgia State Landmark (1954)
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary
Another American historic site with documented tragedies and subsequent paranormal investigation claims
Roanoke Island
Historic American location associated with mysterious disappearances and deaths that became part of regional folklore
Bannack State Park
Preserved American frontier town where violent deaths and harsh conditions led to persistent ghost stories investigated by paranormal researchers
Best time to visit: Visit during October for enhanced Halloween tours, or year-round evening ghost tours when paranormal activity is reportedly most active.
Travel tip: Book ghost tours well in advance, especially during peak season, and wear comfortable walking shoes as tours involve multiple floors and potentially uneven surfaces.
Historical data sourced from Wikipedia