Name: William Henry Miller Inn - Ithaca, NY
Address: 303 North Aurora Street, City of Ithaca, New York, 14850, United States

William Henry Miller Inn NY Lobby 768x1153

William Henry Miller Inn NY Stairwell 768x1151

William Henry Miller Inn NY Sitting Area

William Henry Miller Inn NY Bedroom 768x432

Hotel Categories: New York Northeast

Nestled in the heart of downtown Ithaca, the William Henry Miller Inn beckons guests who crave more than just high-thread-count sheets. Housed in a stately 19th-century mansion once built for Ithaca’s elite, this elegant bed-and-breakfast combines architectural grandeur with whispers of past occupants who may still linger. Are the heavy wood doors creaking on their own? Is that soft footstep in the hallway real—or a shadow from another era? If you relish historic elegance with a side of the paranormal, you’ll feel right at home here.

Hotel History

The building at 303 North Aurora Street, Ithaca, New York was commissioned in 1878 by the Stowell family, prominent local wholesale grocers, and designed by noted architect William Henry Miller.
In 1914 the house passed to R.C. Osborn and his family; tragically, during the 1918 influenza pandemic his wife and one of his children died while residing here.
After decades as a private residence, the property was converted into the inn in 1999, preserving key original features: Tiffany-style stained glass, carved chestnut woodwork, and the grand turret.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

Haunted Hot Spots & Paranormal Reports

While there are no widely published ghost-investigation files tied to this inn, local ghost-walks and visitor comments suggest a quietly haunted mood.

1. The Turret Room & Third-Floor Hallway

The conversion history notes that a child of the Osborn family died in the home; some guests staying on upper floors report a feeling of being watched in the turret or hearing soft footsteps late at night.
A Reddit post titled “Haunted Ithaca” includes the Miller Inn as a top haunted spot in town.

2. The Dining Room / Breakfast Area

Several guests mention that in the early morning-hour hush they’ve heard a single chair scrape back, or felt a cold draft amid the otherwise warm-wood-paneled breakfast room. (These are anecdotal guest comments from review sites.)

3. Neighborhood Ghost Walk Context

The inn lies in downtown Ithaca, which offers a “Haunted History in Downtown Ithaca” walking tour. The home is often cited as part of the route for ghost-curious visitors.
Because the building has seen illness (1918 flu deaths) and transition from grand private residence to guest lodging, the folklore base is strong, even if details are subtle.