Self-Guided Visit
Visit the Library
Browse the main library's collections during regular open hours. The first-floor fiction section and the auditorium are the focus of the building's ghost reports.
- Duration:
- 1 hr
- Days:
- Regular library hours
No photograph
on file
Est. 1940on file
HauntBound archive · catalog record
Reported phenomena — as catalogued
- 01Apparition of a fading woman
- 02Breath felt on the neck
- 03Whispered names
- 04Tugging sensations
+ 1 further entry on record
Museum / Historical Site
Concord Public Library
Called the most haunted building in Concord, where staff report whispered names and a fading woman in the stacks
45 Green Street, Concord, NH 03301
Wheelchair Accessible
Research-Backed · 3 sources
Research updated June 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Free public library open during regular hours.
Access
Wheelchair OK
Modern public library building with elevator access
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1940 · Authorized by city ordinance in 1855 · Concord's main public library · Current Green Street building opened 1940 · Recurring stop on local haunted tours
The Concord Public Library traces its origins to an 1855 city ordinance authorizing a free public library. The library opened to the public in 1857, initially housed on the second floor of the building that now serves as the Merrimack County Court House.
Over the following decades the library outgrew its quarters and relocated twice before settling into its present home. The current building at 45 Green Street opened in 1940 and has served as Concord's main library since. Its stated mission is to connect residents with informational, cultural, educational, and recreational resources.
The library sits in downtown Concord, the New Hampshire state capital, near the Merrimack River corridor. Local writers have noted that the building stands close to a large underground aquifer, a geographic detail that recurs in discussions of the library's reputation, though the library itself presents this as folklore rather than fact.
As a long-running civic institution at the center of the city, the library has been a fixture of daily life in Concord for well over a century. In recent years it has also become a recurring stop on local haunted tours, with its director and staff openly discussing the unexplained experiences reported within its walls.
Sources
- https://www.aroundconcord.com/2019/09/17/the-most-haunted-place-in-concord/
- https://www.concordnh.gov/589/About-Us
- https://patch.com/new-hampshire/concord-nh/these-are-creepiest-most-haunted-places-new-hampshire
Apparition of a fading womanBreath felt on the neckWhispered namesTugging sensationsUnexplained noises in the boiler room
The Concord Public Library has gained a reputation, repeated in local press, as possibly the most haunted building in the city. The library director has been quoted saying that of all the stops on the area's haunted tour, the library is likely the most haunted of them all.
The most commonly reported figure is a woman seen in the first-floor fiction section. Patrons describe noticing her among the shelves before she fades from view. Speakers presenting in the library's auditorium have reported feeling breath on the backs of their necks while they were at the front of the room, and on occasion hearing a voice whisper their names when no one was behind them. Staff have also reported being tugged and have described unexplained noises coming from the boiler room.
Local accounts tie the activity to the building's setting. There is a recurring theory among regional ghost enthusiasts that water generates spiritual activity, and writers have pointed to the large aquifer beneath downtown Concord, noting the library's proximity to its widest portion. The library presents these ideas as part of local lore rather than verified explanation.
The reports are documented in Concord-area news coverage and circulate through the city's haunted tours rather than through formal paranormal investigation.
Notable Entities
The woman in the fiction section
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Concord Public Library family-friendly?
A working public library, welcoming for all ages. The haunted reputation is shared informally and during local haunted tours rather than presented as a scare. Overall family fit: High.
How much does it cost to visit Concord Public Library?
Free public library open during regular hours. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Concord Public Library wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Concord Public Library is wheelchair accessible. Terrain: Modern public library building with elevator access.