The Rose hall great house is one of the most popular great houses in Jamaica. Its notoriety stems from the tale of the White Witch of Rosehall.
The great house is located in the hills of Rosehall, Montego Bay. The great house has commanding views of the Caribbean Sea.
The Rose hall great house was built in 1770 by John Palmer and restored by the Rollin family in 1960. The great house eventually became the residence of John Rose Palmer his grandnephew.
This Georgian mansion was also referred to as the calendar house because it had 365 windows and 52 doors.
What makes the Rose hall great house famous is the legend of the White Witch of Rose hall. The white witch refers to Annie Palmer the wife of John Rose Palmer.
Annie was the daughter of an English mother and an Irish father and raised in Haiti by her Voodoo Priestess nanny.
After the death of her parents from yellow fever, she moved to Jamaica to look for a rich husband. She married John Rose Palmer the owner of the Rose hall great house.
The White Witch of Rose Hall story
Legend has it that Annie (The white witch of Rose hall killed not only her first husband but also her second and third husbands.
She is also reputed to have killed countless slave lovers. Upon inheriting ownership of the Rose hall plantation, Annie ruled with cruelty.
Legend has it that Annie had her eye on her overseer but he was in love with the Grand-daughter of Takoo her former slave lover. It is believed that Annie had Takoos’ granddaughter killed.
In retaliation, Takoo sneaked into her bedroom one night via a secret passage and strangled her. It is believed that Annie’s spirit still haunts the great house. There has been reported sightings of her ghost over the years.
Ghostly Facts
- It is believed that if you look at the picture of Annie you can see her eyes following you as you move.
- Many visitors report unusual photographs after visiting.
- Visitors report hearing babies crying and strange footsteps
- Guest have reported that when they look at the mirror in Annie’s bedroom they see a ghostly reflection.
- The last couple to stay in the great house was in 1989. They were having coffee when they heard a baby crying. They went to investigate. When they returned their coffee mugs were missing, they found them smashed in the next room.
White Witch of Rose Hall Day Tours
There are two tours of the Rose hall great house; the day tour and the night tour. Both tours tell you about the legend of the White Witch of Rose hall.
However, the night tour incorporates the haunted great house aspect of the tale. The day tour runs from 9:15 am to 5:15 pm. The night tour runs from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
White Witch of Rose Hall Night Tours
The night tour runs from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. It incorporates the ghostly tail of the white with of rose hall. If your children are not spooked easily this is a fun way to experience the Rosehall Great house. It’s also a great night time attraction.
Fortunately, the Rose Hall great house is near to most of the hotels in Montego Bay so it’s an easy side trip.
Things to Know about the Rose Hall Greathouse Tour
- The dungeon has been converted to a bar. Why not order Annies brew before you go on the tour.
- You can purchase the White witch of rose hall book
- There is a giftshop on premises called Annies Treasure gift shop
Price of Rose hall Greathouse Attraction
Non- Jamaicans – US $20
Jamaicans – $1,000 (Jamaican)
Things to Bring
- Camera
- Walking shoes
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