Fairlawn Mansion is considered haunted by a benevolent spirit resembling a servant girl who interacts with visitors by providing directions, tidying up, and even helping lost children, though some claim to experience cold chills or hear footsteps and children's laughter. The mansion also has reports of cigar smoke and perfume scents, possibly attributed to original owner Martin Pattison and other former residents or children who lived there when it was a children's home. A recurring ghost, thought to be a servant girl, is often mistaken for a museum guide and will give visitors directions or help lost children find their parents. Visitors and staff have reported feeling a cold chill when the ghost is near and have heard footsteps or children's laughter. There are reports of the smell of cigar smoke, believed to be Martin Pattison, and the faint scent of perfume. The servant spirit has been known to straighten items or tidy up areas in the mansion.