601 Museum Court

601 Museum Court - The May-Stringer House

Welcome to another stop on our stroll through Brooksville’s historic gems. Today, we’re standing in front of the May-Stringer House at 601 Museum Court, a grand old Victorian beauty that’s been captivating folks since 1855. This “Painted Lady” is not just a house—it’s a living piece of history, a museum, and, if the whispers are true, a haunt for a few restless spirits. So, pull up close, and let’s unravel the stories woven into these four stories and seven gables.

Back in 1842, Richard Wiggins claimed this land under the Armed Occupation Act, setting down roots in what was then wild Hernando County. By 1855, John L. May scooped up the property and built a cozy four-room home for his family—his wife Marena and their daughters, Matilda and Annie. Life wasn’t always kind to the Mays, though. John passed from tuberculosis in 1858, leaving Marena to steer the family through the Civil War. She remarried Frank Saxon, a Confederate hero, but tragedy struck again when Marena died in 1869, giving birth to their daughter, Jessie Mae, who herself passed at just three years old in 1872. John, Marena, Jessie Mae, and another infant son are buried right here on the property, and some say their spirits still linger, adding a ghostly chill to this historic home.

The house got a grand makeover when Dr. Sheldon Stringer came along, turning it into the 14-room, four-story Victorian masterpiece we see today, complete with fancy gingerbread trim and seven gables that make it a true “Painted Lady.” Dr. Stringer ran his medical practice here, and the house stayed in his family for three generations. In 1980, Dr. Earl and Helen Hensley sold it to the Hernando Historical Museum Association, which turned it into The Heritage Museum, a treasure trove of Brooksville’s past.

Step inside, and you’re in for a treat. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with tours departing every hour. You’ll wander through rooms that take you straight back to the Victorian era—an elegant dining room, cozy bedrooms, a military room packed with history, an 1880s doctor’s office, and even a 1900s communication room. With over 10,000 artifacts, from old medical tools to vintage dresses, it’s like flipping through the pages of a living history book. Docents share tales of the May and Stringer families, painting a picture of life in Brooksville’s early days.

Now, hold onto your hat, because here’s where things get a bit spooky. The May-Stringer House is known as one of Florida’s most haunted spots. Folks have reported seeing Marena May or little Jessie Mae wandering the halls, along with cold spots, moving shadows, and the sound of a child crying. There’s even talk of a grumpy spirit nicknamed “Mr. Nasty” who’s not too fond of visitors. The house leans into its eerie reputation, offering ghost tours and paranormal investigations where you can try the Estes Method or hunt for spirits with expert teams. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, those stories add a thrill to this historic gem.

Since 1997, the May-Stringer House has been on the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a window into Brooksville’s past, from its Victorian charm to its tales of triumph and tragedy—and maybe a ghost or two. As we stand here, admiring those gables and that gingerbread trim, let’s tip our hats to the folks who lived, loved, and maybe still linger in this grand old house. 

Citations

May-Stringer House Detailed History and Current Use, Hernando Historical Museum Association, https://www.hernandohistoricalmuseumassoc.com/may-stringer-house/.

In Brooksville, May-Stringer House Owns Its ‘Florida’s Most Haunted’ Title, Tampa Bay Times, October 21, 2021, https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/history/2021/10/21/in-brooksville-may-stringer-house-owns-its-floridas-most-haunted-title/.

May-Stringer House: Ghost Hunting Experience in Brooksville, Visit Florida, https://www.visitflorida.com/event/may-stringer-house:-ghost-hunting-experience/3298/.

May-Stringer House - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024), TripAdvisor, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34105-d15263341-Reviews-May_Stringer_House-Brooksville_Florida.html.

601 Museum Court - The May-Stringer House

Welcome to another stop on our stroll through Brooksville’s historic gems. Today, we’re standing in front of the May-Stringer House at 601 Museum Court, a grand old Victorian beauty that’s been captivating folks since 1855. This “Painted Lady” is not just a house—it’s a living piece of history, a museum, and, if the whispers are true, a haunt for a few restless spirits. So, pull up close, and let’s unravel the stories woven into these four stories and seven gables.

Back in 1842, Richard Wiggins claimed this land under the Armed Occupation Act, setting down roots in what was then wild Hernando County. By 1855, John L. May scooped up the property and built a cozy four-room home for his family—his wife Marena and their daughters, Matilda and Annie. Life wasn’t always kind to the Mays, though. John passed from tuberculosis in 1858, leaving Marena to steer the family through the Civil War. She remarried Frank Saxon, a Confederate hero, but tragedy struck again when Marena died in 1869, giving birth to their daughter, Jessie Mae, who herself passed at just three years old in 1872. John, Marena, Jessie Mae, and another infant son are buried right here on the property, and some say their spirits still linger, adding a ghostly chill to this historic home.

The house got a grand makeover when Dr. Sheldon Stringer came along, turning it into the 14-room, four-story Victorian masterpiece we see today, complete with fancy gingerbread trim and seven gables that make it a true “Painted Lady.” Dr. Stringer ran his medical practice here, and the house stayed in his family for three generations. In 1980, Dr. Earl and Helen Hensley sold it to the Hernando Historical Museum Association, which turned it into The Heritage Museum, a treasure trove of Brooksville’s past.

Step inside, and you’re in for a treat. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with tours departing every hour. You’ll wander through rooms that take you straight back to the Victorian era—an elegant dining room, cozy bedrooms, a military room packed with history, an 1880s doctor’s office, and even a 1900s communication room. With over 10,000 artifacts, from old medical tools to vintage dresses, it’s like flipping through the pages of a living history book. Docents share tales of the May and Stringer families, painting a picture of life in Brooksville’s early days.

Now, hold onto your hat, because here’s where things get a bit spooky. The May-Stringer House is known as one of Florida’s most haunted spots. Folks have reported seeing Marena May or little Jessie Mae wandering the halls, along with cold spots, moving shadows, and the sound of a child crying. There’s even talk of a grumpy spirit nicknamed “Mr. Nasty” who’s not too fond of visitors. The house leans into its eerie reputation, offering ghost tours and paranormal investigations where you can try the Estes Method or hunt for spirits with expert teams. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, those stories add a thrill to this historic gem.

Since 1997, the May-Stringer House has been on the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a window into Brooksville’s past, from its Victorian charm to its tales of triumph and tragedy—and maybe a ghost or two. As we stand here, admiring those gables and that gingerbread trim, let’s tip our hats to the folks who lived, loved, and maybe still linger in this grand old house. 

Citations

May-Stringer House Detailed History and Current Use, Hernando Historical Museum Association, https://www.hernandohistoricalmuseumassoc.com/may-stringer-house/.

In Brooksville, May-Stringer House Owns Its ‘Florida’s Most Haunted’ Title, Tampa Bay Times, October 21, 2021, https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/history/2021/10/21/in-brooksville-may-stringer-house-owns-its-floridas-most-haunted-title/.

May-Stringer House: Ghost Hunting Experience in Brooksville, Visit Florida, https://www.visitflorida.com/event/may-stringer-house:-ghost-hunting-experience/3298/.

May-Stringer House - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024), TripAdvisor, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34105-d15263341-Reviews-May_Stringer_House-Brooksville_Florida.html.