Urban Exploration, New Bedford MA
Exploring the Haunted History of Fort Taber / Fort Rodman — New Bedford, MA
Where rusted corridors echo with whispers from the past
Hidden on the windswept shores of Buzzards Bay in New Bedford, Massachusetts, sits a fortress steeped in American military history—and cloaked in ghost stories that make even the most skeptical visitors glance over their shoulder. Fort Taber, more accurately known as Fort Taber / Fort Rodman, is not just a relic of coastal defense. It’s a time capsule of wartime tension, a museum of New England grit, and according to many, a magnet for paranormal activity.
A Fort Born of War
Construction of Fort Rodman began in the mid-1800s during the Civil War. The massive stone fortification was part of a coastal defense system designed to protect New Bedford Harbor, which at the time was one of the wealthiest seaports in the nation thanks to the booming whaling industry. Ironically, the fort was never completed during its intended time of need. While the original stone bastion was never fully armed, a series of gun batteries—including the Milliken Battery—were added in the early 20th century and later used during World War I and World War II.
The area was an active military post until the 1950s, eventually becoming a park and museum space. But beneath its peaceful, waterfront façade is a deeper, darker story still whispered by its crumbling walls.
Walking Through History… and Shadows
We recently explored Fort Taber alongside local urban explorers Craig and Garfield, paranormal investigator Heather, and a few brave kids—Rob’s daughter and Heather’s two sons. With flashlights in hand and the wind howling through rusted doorways, we descended into the Milliken Battery. The battery’s long tunnels and eerie, echoing chambers are all that remain of an era defined by watchful silence and the ever-present threat of war.
What hit us first was the atmosphere. The deeper you go into the battery, the more you feel it—like the air is pressing in around you. Thick with dampness, history… and maybe something else.
We visited the Fort Taber Military Museum, which offers a more structured look at the fort’s use across different wars. Artifacts, uniforms, and photographs fill the space—but even here, visitors and staff alike have reported unexplained cold spots and feelings of being watched. In fact, several people have sworn they’ve seen shadowy figures near the museum’s back hallway—often after hours.
Ghosts of Fort Taber
The lore of hauntings at Fort Taber has grown over the years, with frequent reports of:
- Disembodied footsteps echoing in empty corridors
- Cold drafts in sealed-off rooms
- EVP recordings (electronic voice phenomena) picked up by ghost hunting teams
- Apparitions of soldiers in outdated uniforms, especially near the Milliken Battery
- And stories of a woman in white, often spotted near the old officers’ quarters
During our visit, while walking alone near the rear hallway of the museum, I (Joe) felt an undeniable shift in energy. The air grew still, my skin prickled, and for just a moment, I heard what sounded like boots on concrete—coming from a hallway I had just cleared. I called out, thinking maybe someone had wandered off. But I was completely alone. I’m not saying it was a ghost… but I’m also not saying it wasn’t.
Visiting Fort Taber Today
Fort Taber Park is a beautiful place for a walk or a picnic. The sprawling green fields, beaches, and sweeping ocean views are worth the trip alone. The museum (open limited hours) is staffed by passionate volunteers and gives insight into the region’s military legacy. But if you’re like us, what draws you in is that little extra chill in the air. That sense that you’re not quite alone in those darkened hallways.
So pack a flashlight, grab your recorder if you’re brave enough, and explore this historic—and possibly haunted—coastal fort. Whether you go for the history or the hauntings, Fort Taber will leave an impression that lingers long after you’ve walked back into the daylight.
Have your own Fort Taber experience?
Drop a comment or message us your story—maybe we’ll share it on an upcoming Tales, Trails and Taverns episode.
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