In the heart of Seneca County, The Becker House is a historic gem with a story that spans more than two centuries. What began as a modest home has grown into a grand 23-room mansion—full of character, charm and a few lingering mysteries. Long rumored to be haunted, it’s said to be home to a few lingering spirits who never truly left. 
The story begins in 1823, when a modest one-room wooden house first stood on the property. In 1855, Edward Mynderse—son of Colonel Wilhelmus Mynderse, an early land developer in the area—transformed the original home into a two-story brick residence in the elegant Italianate style. Set on ten acres, the estate once featured a carriage house, tool house, vineyard, garden, and orchard.
Major changes came in the 1880s when the Partridge family expanded the structure into a magnificent 23-room Queen Anne mansion. Then, in 1890, the Becker family purchased the home, adding their own touches of refinement and charm. In 1962, Florence Becker sold the estate to the Seneca Falls Historical Society, which continues to preserve its beauty—and its ghostly legends—for future generations to experience.
Former family members, Historical Society staff and psychic mediums believe there are three ghosts that reside in the house. Edward’s ghost was reportedly not pleased with the home’s renovations, and he is said to haunt the parlor and dining room, where he likes to make his presence known by flipping pictures and tugging on hair. Mary, the Becker family’s nanny, still lingers in the kitchen, where the smell of fresh molasses cookies can sometimes be detected. Employees have also reported hearing footsteps and a voice saying, “Excuse me! You hit me!” in the attic where Mary’s bedroom was located.
Other restless spirits include a young Irish girl who died of consumption at age 15, whose cries can still be heard on the back stairs, and a mysterious presence in the Billiard Room that gives visitors an eerie feeling. Though the halls are quieter now, the legends live on—whispering reminders of the spirits said to linger within the halls of the Seneca Falls Historical Society. 