Rhode Island’s Tavern on Main is known for its many accounts of reported paranormal activity. PHOTO CREDIT: onlyinyourstate.com
As we near Halloween, we have one more spooky Rhode Island tale to tell. So, stepping out of the University of Rhode Island, we make our final stop at the Tavern on Main in Chepachet, R.I.
The Tavern on Main is a two and a half story building built in 1799 on 1157 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, R.I. As the years go by, there are countless reports of paranormal activity. Some examples are broken glass, changes in temperature and ghostly figures roaming around. From pictures, videos, audio recordings and first hand stories, there is evidence of ghostly presence once you step inside.
These accounts most likely started after the Dorr Rebellion in 1841-42, where Chepachet resident Thomas Wilson Dorr fought for change in the state’s electoral votes but failed. It’s possible that his ghost could be haunting the tavern wishing for a different outcome.
During the Dorr Rebellion, one member of the rebellion was in the tavern and his leg was shot through the keyhole of the door, which is now patched up. The owner during that time, Jedidiah Sprague, also reportedly haunts the building and may have been the cause for several deaths of owners after him.
One common story is of a blonde woman who always sat in the back booth with her head looking out the window, formerly called Elizabeth by patrons and staff. She always wore her hair in a tight bun and a colorful outfit.
Someone walking in the bathroom bumped into a ten year old little boy in a baseball cap in the ladies room somehow fond of causing mayhem to everyone who walked in. Also at an exclusive table called the “King’s Chair,” several other apparitions have been seen sitting there minding their own business.
In the 1970’s, a lover waiting for Alice, his crush whom he loved for so long to finally notice him after every move he tried. One night, he was at the tavern and saw her with her almond colored hair but holding hands with another man. Jealous, he cornered her near the bathrooms and murdered her. When the man saw her, he was devastated.
Since this is the most haunted restaurant in Rhode Island, Tom D’Agostino, a ghost hunter, plans “Dining with the Dead,” an event where people are invited to eat and spot ghosts who might be lingering around. One guest chuckled at the idea of ghosts when all of a sudden, a ghost who clearly didn’t like his attitude dropped a TV over his head. Luckily, the man stepped out of the way and was not hurt.
Another guest, an investigator, was hit in the head by a washboard in front of 55 people, most likely from a ghost who wanted to be seen. Thankfully, the investigator is okay.
If you want to visit the Tavern yourself, go to 1157 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814 at your own risk.
For more information about Dining with the Dead, you can visit their website.