The life and afterlife of Stowe’s tap-dancing ghost
By Timothy Page
very respectable Vermont inn claims a resident ghost or two, but the historic Green Mountain Inn in Stowe boasts perhaps one of New England’s most distinctive spectral residents: a tap-dancing ghost with a remarkable life story. With the inn’s history stretching back to 1833, it has welcomed countless guests from celebrities to ordinary travelers—and according to local legend, continues to host the spirited presence of Boots Berry, whose extraordinary life and death have become woven into the fabric of Stowe’s folklore.
The Birth of a Legend
According to the Green Mountain Inn’s own historical records, Boots Berry was born in 1840 in Room 302 of the inn, then part of the servants’ quarters.1 The son of the inn’s horseman and a chambermaid, Boots grew up within the walls of the establishment that would later become haunted by his presence. His childhood surrounded by the daily operations of a busy Vermont inn prepared him well for eventually taking over his father’s position as the inn’s horseman.
Heroism and Acclaim
As documented by the Green Mountain Inn, Boots earned a reputation as a skilled horseman responsible for the inn’s teams and ensuring fresh horses were ready for the daily stagecoach runs. His moment of glory came when he reportedly stopped a runaway stagecoach team, saving the lives of the passengers and earning himself local recognition and a medal for heroism.2
A Fall from Grace
Unfortunately, fame proved to be Boots’ undoing. According to the story preserved by the inn, his newfound popularity led him down a path of excess—particularly involving alcohol and romantic entanglements. His behavior became increasingly erratic and unreliable, eventually resulting in his dismissal from his position.
After losing his job at the inn, Boots reportedly wandered across America, eventually finding himself in a New Orleans jail cell. It was there, according to the legend, that he learned the tap dancing skills that would later become his ghostly signature from a fellow inmate.3
A Heroic Return and Tragic End
By early 1902, Boots had made his way back to Stowe, Vermont. During a particularly severe snowstorm, a young girl became trapped on the roof of the Green Mountain Inn. Despite his impoverished condition, Boots managed to navigate to the roof where the child was stranded. He successfully lowered the girl to safety, only to lose his footing on the ice-covered roof moments later. In a tragic twist of fate, he fell to his death directly above Room 302—the very room where he had been born sixty-two years earlier.4
The Haunting Continues
Since that tragic day, staff and guests at the Green Mountain Inn have reported strange occurrences, particularly during snowstorms. The distinctive sound of tap dancing footsteps has been reported numerous times on the inn’s roof, especially above the third floor where Boots met his end.
As noted by respected Vermont folklorist Joseph A. Citro, who has documented numerous Vermont ghost stories including this one, the sounds of tap dancing are most often heard during inclement weather—a fitting tribute to the circumstances of Boots’ final heroic act.5
Modern Investigations
In recent years, the legend of Boots Berry has attracted attention from paranormal researchers and folklore specialists alike. The popular New England Legends podcast featured the story with hosts Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger investigating the haunting at the Green Mountain Inn in their Halloween 2017 episode.6
During their visit to the Green Mountain Inn, Belanger and Auger explored the history behind the legend and interviewed staff about reported experiences with the tap-dancing ghost, helping to preserve and share this classic piece of Vermont folklore.
The Green Mountain Inn Today
Today, the Green Mountain Inn embraces its spectral resident, with Room 302 being among the most requested accommodations at the historic inn.7 Visitors hoping to experience the ghostly performance are often advised to book their stay during winter months when snowstorms increase the likelihood of an encounter with Stowe’s famous tap-dancing ghost.
The tale of Boots Berry represents the perfect Vermont ghost story—combining local history, heroism, redemption, and the mysterious persistence of a colorful character who, it seems, isn’t quite ready to leave the stage.
Footnotes
- “The Legend of Boots Berry,” Green Mountain Inn official website, https://greenmountaininn.com/about/ghost-stories/
- Hans Carlson, “Ghosts of New England Inns,” Yankee Magazine, October 2001.
- “Green Mountain Inn History,” Vermont Tourism Network, https://www.vermonttourismnetwork.com/stowe-vermont-area/green-mountain-inn/
- Joseph A. Citro, “Passing Strange: True Tales of New England Hauntings and Horrors,” (Houghton Mifflin, 1997), 68-70.
- Joseph A. Citro, “Green Mountain Ghosts, Ghouls & Unsolved Mysteries,” (University Press of New England, 1994), 42-43.
- Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger, “New England Legends Podcast: Episode 16 – Vermont’s Tap Dancing Ghost,” October 2017, http://newenglandlegends.com/podcast/episode-16-tap-dancing-ghost/
- “Haunted Rooms,” New England Inns & Resorts Association travel guide, 2023.
