This Staircase To Nowhere In New Hampshire Is Like Something From A Nightmare
By Beth|Published August 24, 2016
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Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
Most of us have experienced bizarre dreams featuring the likes of endless hallways or warped rooms. What’s so unsettling about these places is they seem unfinished and disorienting. Deep in the woods of New Hampshire lies something eerily similar, although this place truly exists and stands instead for something long lost. What was once known as Madame Sherri’s Castle has been eroded down to a few building facades and a staircase leading to nowhere. Learn more about the fascinating woman responsible for the building and the bright, haunting legacy that has since been left behind.
Madame Sherri was a resident of Chesterfield, New Hampshire known for her eccentric and sometimes scandalous behavior. She was born Antoinette De Lilas in Paris, where she and her husband decided to change their surname and enter New York’s theatre scene in 1911. Sadly, Madame Sheri’s husband passed away not long after their arrival in America.
Madame Sherri accumulated quite a fortune from successful costume design throughout the 20s. Perhaps even more eccentric than the costumes she created was her outgoing personality and the parties she threw. One summer, Madame Sherri visited a friend in the woods of New Hampshire and fell in love with the land.
Her decision to purchase 600 acres in Chesterfield would begin her true legacy as the owner of the castle in the woods. She adored every square foot of the house, delighting in its planning and even helping out with the physical labor herself. Some of its notable features included the chateaux elements, Roman arches, and of course, the grand stone stairway that was deemed "the Stairway to Heaven."
Eventually, Madame Sherri couldn’t keep up with her lavish lifestyle and her house was abandoned and left for ruin. It became the site of vandalism and stories of paranormal activity began to circulate. It was October 18, 1962 that the castle was nearly ruined by fire, leaving only traces of this bizarre structure in the woods. Just two years later, Madame Sherri passed away at age 84.
The grand stone staircase that remains serves as a reminder of the peculiarity and beauty of the castle. The parties thrown here, the entertained guests, and the dream of an enchanting castle still seem to linger in a way that is both haunting and alluring. Visitors to the forest report hearing the voices and music of parties from long ago. One can easily imagine Madame Sherri herself, descending her luxurious staircase and awaiting her guests.
While it’s difficult to say whether or not this forest in West Chesterfield is truly haunted, it’s certain that the ruins are truly haunting. If you’ve visited the Madame Sherri Forest, we’d love to hear about your experience there!
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