Meet Purddy: The Black Cat of the S.K. Pierce Mansion
Every Historic Mansion Has Its Stories
Visitors come to the S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion hoping to experience the unexpected. But according to longtime caretaker Marion Luoma, one of the mansion’s most popular phantom residents isn’t a person at all. It’s a cat.
His name is Purddy.
Purddy was a real black cat who once lived in the mansion. Decades later, visitors still report seeing him wandering the halls. If you’re lucky, on your next visit, you might catch a glimpse yourself.
The Real Cat Behind the Legend
Long before S.K. Pierce Mansion became one of the most haunted places in the U.S., Purddy belonged to Jane Stemmerman, whose family purchased the mansion from the Pierce family in the 1960s.
Marion learned Purddy’s story directly from Jane before she passed away.
“Jane told me her father had asked her what color they should paint the mansion,” recalls Marion. “Jane answered, ‘Pretty yellow.’ Over time, pretty became purddy and that’s how the cat got it’s name.”
It’s a simple story, but one that reminds visitors that the mansion wasn’t always known for hauntings. It was also a family home filled with everyday conversations, cherished pets, and memories that still linger today.
Why Do So Many People Believe Purddy Is Still at S.K. Pierce Mansion?
Marion isn’t the only person who believes Purddy still wanders the mansion.
Over the years, guests, paranormal investigators, and overnight visitors have described remarkably similar experiences involving the mansion’s famous feline.
Some of the most common reports include:
Catching a glimpse of a black cat darting across a hallway before disappearing around a corner
Capturing cat-shaped shadows on security cameras
Watching motion-activated cat toys light up or roll across empty rooms during paranormal investigations
Feeling something soft brush against their ankles or calves when no animal is nearby
Hearing unexplained scratching sounds or faint meows during EVP sessions, despite there being no living cats inside the mansion
None of these experiences can explain Purddy’s story on their own. But together, they have helped make this little black cat one of the mansion’s most recognizable figures.
Marion’s Favorite Purddy Story
One of Marion’s favorite Purddy encounters happened during an overnight investigation on Valentine’s Day.
As a guest walked toward the staircase, she suddenly stopped, looked down, and shouted that she had just seen the cat. The excitement stopped everyone in their tracks.
The next morning, after hearing the story, Marion reviewed the mansion’s security footage.
“Sure enough, there was the cat. You see a dark, cat-shaped shadow jumping near the banister before disappearing from view,” says Marion.
She also thinks Purddy has a playful side.
When discussing the mansion's famous red ball that occasionally moves on its own, Marion has her own theory.
“If children can still play here, why couldn’t the cat give the ball a little nudge?”
While no one knows for certain what causes the ball to move, the idea of Purddy batting it down the stairs has become another favorite story shared during tours.
Can You Meet Purddy at the S.K. Pierce Mansion?
Every visitor experiences the S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion differently.
Some leave talking about the mansion's remarkable Victorian architecture and history. Others remember an unexplained sound, a sudden cold spot, or a room that simply felt different the moment they walked inside.
And some leave wondering if they had just crossed paths with Purddy.
After more than 15 years caring for the mansion, Marion has come to think of Purddy as just another one of its longtime residents.
Whether you leave believing you've seen Purddy for yourself or with another fascinating story to tell, his legacy has become one more reason visitors continue returning to the S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion year after year.
Ready to experience the mansion for yourself? Contact our team at 978-224-8944 to book a tour and discover why no two visits are ever quite the same.
