An Evening with the Archivist: The Ghost of Jerusha Howe

For generations, Jerusha Howe has been remembered as the “Belle of Sudbury,” a beautiful and accomplished woman whose supposed broken heart and mysterious presence have become part of the folklore surrounding The Wayside Inn.

But the historical record tells a very different story.

Jerusha did not die of a broken heart, and there is no evidence of a mysterious lover or tragic romance. She died of tuberculosis in 1842, at the age of 44. So how did the life of a real woman become intertwined with one of The Wayside Inn’s most enduring ghost stories?

Join Wayside Inn Archivist Lauren Prescott for an evening exploring the life of the real Jerusha Howe, and the stories of her ghostly presence at the Inn. Through letters, journals, family records, and artifacts from The Wayside Inn’s collection, Lauren will share a glimpse into Jerusha’s life.

Come explore the woman behind the stories, and the ghost who may (or may not) be here.

Thursday, October 29, 2026

6 – 8pm

$30 General / $25 TWIF Members

Call 978 443 1776 or visit wayside.org for tickets

The Wayside Inn Ballroom

Hors d’oeuvres included, cash bar available