One of the possible real - life events could be the history of old manors in England. Many such manors have stories of unexplained noises, strange sightings, and a general sense of unease. Bly Manor in the show might be inspired by these real - life manor tales.
There might be a connection to the superstitions and folklore of the regions where large estates like Bly Manor are set. For instance, local tales of spirits being trapped in certain places due to tragic events. Also, the idea of an old building having a sort of 'memory' of past events could be based on real - life beliefs about haunted places. The show may have taken these and woven them into its story. However, it's hard to pinpoint exact real - life events as the show is a blend of many such possible inspirations.