Every area has urban legends - stories passed down from generation to generation. Usually, these haunted tales are a bit exaggerated, but could some of them be true?
Haunted Buildings in Northern Virginia
With Halloween just around the corner, it is a perfect time to tour some of the spookiest places in Northern Virginia.
Gadsby's Tavern Museum: Alexandria, Virginia
In the late 1700s, an Englishman, John Gadsby, opened the doors of Gadsby's Tavern, a hotel and watering hole.
In the early 1800s, a wealthy couple arrived in Old Town Alexandria from the Caribbean fresh off a ship. The tale says the woman wore a black veil and was beautiful but also ill.
The infamous couple serve as main characters in one of the most famous haunted stories of Northern Virginia, known as The Female Stranger.
After arriving at the hotel, the woman's husband took her straight to the notorious room eight.
As legend has it, the man was acting quite suspiciously. He fetched a doctor and two nurses but refused to give his name and forced anyone he interacted with to take an oath of secrecy regarding their identity.
On October 14, 1816, the woman died and was buried at St. Paul's Cemetary. The headstone reads, "The Female Stranger."
Many believed she was Aaron Burr's daughter, Theodosia.
Theodosia, however, had been dead at sea for four years before this happened.
The Winery at LaGrange: Haymarket, Virginia
Many believe Benoni Harrison and his daughter Mary, past owners of The Winery at LaGrange, haunt the vineyards.
During the Civil War, Mary would regularly light a candle in the window of her bedroom to signal General Mosby and his troops, who were hiding at the top of Bull Run Mountain, that it was safe to come down. She would feed the soldiers and allow them to clean up.
Today, there is a flameless candle in the window of Mary's room, and occasionally, this candle has been turned on and off - but no one knows by whom.
In recent years, a Christmas tree has been set up in Mary's room during the holiday season. However, when the tree is set in front of a specific window, it will not stand. Each morning it is found lying on the ground.
And then there is the story of the ghost of Benoni. It has become a custom to leave a glass of wine on the mantle behind the tasting room for Benoni. When someone moves his drink though, he becomes furious and strange things occur.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Center: Bristow, Virginia
For the better part of the 1800s, Brentsville served as the county seat for Prince William County, Va.
Five historic buildings make up the historical center: a courthouse, a farmhouse, a church, a schoolhouse, and a jail.
There are many ghost stories revolving around the center, including many people seeing a young woman's face looking out the courthouse and jail windows. Legend says it is of an enslaved woman named Agness who was found guilty of murder.
Agness pleaded self-defense but faced execution at the site.
Other stories include spooky experiences in the jail, particularly the room where the Commonwealth Attorney of Prince William County was murdered while awaiting trial in 1872. It is rumored that his spirit is unsettled, and he haunts the building.
Time for a Fright?
Northern Virginia is full of rich history and eerie stories. This Halloween season is the perfect time to get a little spooked while touring some of these historic Virginia locations.
