Climb the witches steps

These are called Witches' Stairs. It is believed that the design was thought to confuse or trap witches, preventing them from easily climbing the stairs due to the staggered pattern.

Unlike traditional stairs with a regular series of steps, witches stairs alternate, with each step offset to either the left or right. This design creates a zig-zag pattern, allowing for a steep incline without requiring a large horizontal space.

You will occasionally find them in very old New England homes.