Welcome to the May-Stringer House in Brooksville, Florida, a remarkable site steeped in history and mystery. This Victorian-style home, now known as the Hernando Heritage Museum, offers a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century life in Florida and is renowned for its historical significance and alleged hauntings.
The story of the May-Stringer House begins in 1842 when Richard Wiggins claimed the land under the Armed Occupation Act, which incentivized settlers to cultivate the land. John L. May purchased the property in 1856 and built a simple four-room house for his family. Tragically, John May succumbed to tuberculosis just two years later, in 1858, leaving his wife, Marena, to manage the estate.
Marena May later remarried Frank Saxon, a Confederate war hero, and expanded the family with the birth of their daughter Jessie Mae in 1869. Sadly, Marena died shortly after childbirth, and little Jessie Mae passed away at the tender age of three. Stories of these untimely deaths contribute to the mansion’s haunted reputation, with visitors reporting strange occurrences and sightings believed to be linked to the spirits of the May family.
The property later came into the hands of Dr. Sheldon Stringer in 1903, who transformed the modest home into a grand 14-room Victorian mansion, complete with decorative spindle work and seven gables. The Stringer family owned the house until 1961 when it changed hands a few more times before being acquired by the Hernando Historical Museum Association in 1980. The association meticulously restored the house, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
Visitors today can explore themed rooms that capture the essence of the Victorian era, including an elegant dining room, military room, and a doctor’s office from the 1900s. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a paranormal investigator, the May-Stringer House offers a unique experience that brings the past vividly to life.
