How to Hunt for Ghosts in Virginia

The state of Virginia is rich in history. From the Jamestown Settlement through the Revolutionary War, there is much to remember of wonder. However, there's also much to regret about war and death in the Commonwealth. It, therefore, comes as no surprise to anyone living there that ghosts should haunt the various areas where much of the history of the state occurred. From supposed sighting of Abraham Lincoln wandering the corridors of Fort Monroe to soldiers who still seem to “serve” on the state’s many military posts, there seems little doubt that some kind of energy remains behind. This makes the Commonwealth of Virginia the perfect place to go for a bit of ghost hunting.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Stay in the Cavalier on the Hill in Virginia Beach. Once a single hotel, the establishment has now been divided into two separate hotels. However, it is the Cavalier on the Hill that is a major stop for ghost hunters. In its hey-day, the original Cavalier was an “in” place for Hollywood celebrities, famous authors, musicians, comedians, and politicians. It was well known for its own internal beauty and its view. Today, many die-hard hunters still claim it is haunted with mysterious guests, glowing orbs and haunting sounds.

2. Take the Virginia Beach Ghost Walk while in the area. You'll hear remarkable ghost stories while seeing some mesmerizing things that just may give your the creeps--in a good way. See the link in our Resources section for more information.

3. Schedule a trip to Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. Both famous and unknown ghosts have been known to haunt the grounds of the fort. Its most famous occupant is believed to be none other than Abraham Lincoln himself. History confirms that he lived here at one time. He, along with Ulysses S. Grant, have been spotted more than once over the years. They were apparently deep in discussion over the war that nearly tore a nation apart. However, the most frequently sighted ghost is that of the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis. He was held captive and tortured at the fort for his alleged role in the Lincoln assassination.

4. Visit the Yorktown Battlefield. More than a few people have witnessed soldiers seemingly trapped in time there, still battling the British to ensure American freedom. Many have even captured strange apparitions, balls of light and odd blurs that appear to be faces in photos taken at the battlefield grounds.

5. Visit the Aquia Church in Stafford, Virginia. Believed to be the most haunted church in the state, Aquia is rich in paranormal history. The ghostly happenings began just a few shorts months after the church was completed in the late 1730’s. Over the years, people have reported hearing strange sounds or seeing orbs of light flying in the air. Many have also witnessed ghostly apparitions. The most famous happened to be a woman with long, blond hair. She was supposedly killed in the church belfry. At least one death is attributed to things that occurred during a visit to this place. Other paranormal investigators have reported an inability to remain on the property for much time because of an uncontrollable feeling of panic. One felt as though she had been touched by something and discovered unexplained marks on her body in that area.

6. Take a Ghost Lantern Tour of Williamsburg. See our Resources section for how to schedule the tour. From Blackbeard’s pirate crew to the Civil War, many of Williamsburg’s nearby plantations and sites are believed to be haunted. There are even some interesting stories about possible hauntings around the campus of the prestigious College of William and Mary.

7. Shop at Wal-Mart in Franklin, Virginia. The site of the discount department store is also the location of a horrible death. A woman was killed there in an elevator crash. Employees of Wal-Mart insist that she still haunts the site, knocking over merchandise and making her presence well known.

8. Take the Haunted Tour of Luray Caverns near Charlottesville, Virginia. Not only is this the location of the country's largest caverns, it is also believed to be haunted. Whether that is true or not is up for debate..

Tips & Warnings

• Take binoculars for those things that can not be seen close up.

• Don't try to visit these site alone. It can get quite intense and scary!

Resources

• Cavalier Hotel
• Haunted History of Virginia Beach
• Army Fort
• Yorktown Battlefield
• Aquia