Those seeking thrills should check out Virginia’s haunted places – they have witnessed brutal murders, shocking accidents, and unsettling medical experiments! These haunted places promise plenty of spookiness!
Staunton Train Depot only recently earned its terrifying reputation, yet has quickly become one of the most haunted locations in Virginia. Visitors have reported hearing rifle shots and smelling gun smoke lingering within its confines.
Bacon’s Castle
Bacon’s Castle, located near Savannah, Georgia is the oldest brick dwelling in North America and an outstanding example of High Jacobean architecture. Constructed in 1665 by Arthur Allen – a prosperous tobacco merchant and Justice of the Peace who modeled his design after those found in England – Bacon’s Castle came under occupation during Nathaniel Bacon’s Rebellion of 1676, when followers took refuge there to support Nathaniel.
Staff members and visitors of the house believe the ghosts found within its walls may be those who perished during the rebellion, as staff have reported unexplained happenings such as blood on the stairs and a mysterious fog-like presence lingering over its property.
Guests will enjoy an entertaining autumn evening sipping cider around a campfire while listening to ghost stories, tours, costumed interpreters and Q&A with paranormal investigators. The grounds will be decorated for Halloween including a 17th century English formal garden; LED candle-lit tours of the Castle may also be offered at an additional fee.
Belle Isle
Belle Isle Park in Richmond is one of its most beloved green spaces, yet also hosts some mysterious happenings. Beyond its breathtaking scenery and numerous trails, it has housed an iron and milling foundry, hydroelectric plant, and one of the nation’s most notorious civil war prisons – where some people have reported hearing footsteps, shadow figures or even screaming coming from within its confines.
Belle Isle boasts a long and distinguished history that dates back centuries. First discovered by Captain John Smith in 1607 and originally called “Broad Rock Island”, later this site became popular among Native American tribes as an area for fishing.
Today, the park provides hikers, bicyclists, and runners a peaceful oasis near Richmond’s heart. Additionally, its grounds contain remnants of an infamous Civil War prison camp in which Union prisoners died due to exposure, hunger, disease, or mysterious causes; fringe scientists suspect some ghosts who roam this site may be spirits from those who met their demise here.
Weems-Botts Museum
Built in 1749, the Weems-Botts Museum stands as an icon of Dumfries’ rich colonial past. Once home to Parson Weems – George Washington’s first biographer – and later Benjamin Botts (youngest attorney at Aaron Burr treason trial defense team). People report seeing ghostly figures around this house; windows often open or close themselves without prompting from outside and books are said to fly off shelves rather than be pulled down slowly from shelves by forceful forces!
From October through November, Weems-Botts hosts ghost tours and haunted lock-ins at their property. It is said to be haunted by a spirit belonging to a 3-year-old who died from Scarlet Fever; her spirit can sometimes be seen peeking around corners at guests. Lisa Seguin – curator of Weems-Botts – warns tour-goers not to provoke ghosts on tours.
The Ferry Plantation House
Chincoteague Island Plantation, historically dubbed Grace Sherwood’s Ghost House, is said to be haunted by many ghosts including Grace Sherwood who was found guilty of witchcraft during Virginia’s first trial by water in 1706. Sherwood was dunked into Lynnhaven River and told to float; if she did so she was declared innocent; unfortunately Sherwood didn’t float and she was hanged for witchcraft.
George Mason was one of our nation’s founding fathers and author of the Declaration of Rights. Visitors have reported hearing voices, cold spots, doors opening and closing on their own and hearing children scream.
Henry is one of the more active ghosts at Ferry Plantation and remains there long after being free. He can sometimes be seen ascending the stairs to the third-floor balcony before heading toward a west wall in the kitchen; his actions seem to repeat themselves over and over. He is referred to as a residual haunting; meaning his actions continue over and over again.
