Haunted Richmond – A Handful of Richmond Ghosts, Part I

Halloween is fast approaching.  Whether you’re going to someone’s house for a party, to a bar, or some to The Canal Club for the Taboo Dead Sexy Halloween Party, hopefully you have something fun planned for this year.  Part of your plans might also include a Haunts of Richmond Tour- something I’ve always wanted to do but have still never done.  So, this post is NOT a review of the Haunts of Richmond Tour people, since I’ve never been (though I totally plan to someday), but it IS a post about some of my favorite Richmond ghost stories.  We live in one haunted-assed town, did you know that?

The Governor’s Mansion Ghost

Now, despite what you think, I’m probably never going to be Governor.  I know, I know.  I’d make a fabulous politician (sarcasm) for our state.  Try to control your disappointment.  Because I’m probably (PROBABLY) never going to be Governor, I will likely never encounter the first ghost on our list.  That’s why it’s first.  Also, because there is no scary, chilling, and compelling back story to the ghost who haunts the Executive Mansion.  Nobody’s figured out who the ghost is.  That’s why I thought I’d start with it, see?  It’s the least satisfying.  But bear with me, because it’s a pretty cool story.

In 2006, USA Today ran an article about the alleged Executive Mansion ghost.  They site a radio show moment when then-Governor Tim Kaine was asked if he’d experienced paranormal experiences at the Executive Mansion and he bluntly answered to the affirmative.  According to the article, he shared the fact that the phone in the family quarters would ring every Thursday at the same time, but then nobody would be there.  That, to me, sounds like a prank caller, not a ghost, but other inhabitants of the mansion have seen more compelling evidence.

For instance, the first lady during the early 70′s – Anne Holton – reported that a portrait would mysteriously move from room to room.  A little creepier.  I like it.  The best stories, however, come from longer ago.  A skeptic would say that a mischievous housekeeper might be to blame, but I’ll believe it was ghostly.  Dial back to the 1890′s when Gov. Philip McKinney actually SAW a ghost of a young lady.  That’s what I’m talking about.  There have been other sightings of the spectral young lady, but nobody has identified her.  Stay tuned, because some blog writer might be taking a trip to the library pretty soon…

The Old Stone House

Home to the Edgar Allen Poe Museum, Poe is probably not one of the ghosts who haunts the Old Stone House.  The house is, after all, the oldest original building in Richmond.  Some books tell me that Poe may have never set foot in the house, though he did live in Richmond for a number of years.  The ghosts that have been spotted in this very old (1740) building and its grounds are varied.

Some people do speculate that Poe’s spirit has visited the house, since the museum contains so many of his personal items.  Whether it is Poe himself or not, a dark shadow has been spotted in the garden.  This shadowy figure has also been photographed.  Is it Poe?  Or some other disturbed figure haunting the grounds?

Since the house is a popular wedding venue, the courtyard garden has been photographed extensively.  Image the surprise of the bride and groom, upon seeing their wedding photos, not being able to recognize children present at their wedding reception.  Many couples have reported a blonde-haired boy and girl between the ages of five and seven appearing in their photos, though nobody on their guest list fit that description, and nobody at the reception remembered seeing them.  It is thought that they are ghosts of the children who inhabited the house when it was first built.

The most entertaining story of an odd occurrence at the Old Stone House happened recently.  The museum’s gift shop received a shipment of Poe bobble-head novelty dolls.  The gift shop worker opened the box to see what was in it, but left it behind the counter with all the dolls still in the box.  She set the alarm and left for the day.  The next day, after disabling the alarm (which had not been disarmed since the previous day), the attendant walked into the gift shop to find that all of the dolls had been removed from their boxes and placed in a line in front of the counter.  The dolls’ individual boxes were packed inside the outside shipping carton.  Neatly.  How creepy, yet fun, is that?

Check out part 2 of Richmond Ghosts!

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What to Do in Richmond, VA – Weekend 10/9/09 – 10/11/09

It’s Friday, October 9, 2009,  RVA’ers, and we’re back to tell you what’s what for this weekend.  Between the Richmond Folk Festival and various nighttime activities there is plenty to keep you busy.  Read on for more information.

Of course the biggest news for this weekend is the Richmond Folk Festival, starting tonight and going all the way through Sunday, rain or shine.  Which is good, because it’s probably going to rain on Saturday (10/10/09).  Don’t worry, the music will play on.  Just take an umbrella.  For a preview of bands to watch, check out Chris Bopst’s preview on RVA News.  That dude knows what he’s talking about.  For those who have been living under a rock, the Richmond Folk Festival is what was formerly the National Folk Festival (that was held in Richmond).  The National Folk Festival moved on to literally greener pastures (Montana) and Richmond decided we’d have our own darn Folk Festival.  So 2008 marked the first Richmond Folk Festival and the tradition continues this year.  It’s a big deal, and you should check it out.  It kicks off tonight at 6:00 PM, going until 10:30, and it’s on noon to 10:30 Saturday October 10, 2009 and noon to 7:00 Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009.  Stick around Saturday evening for the Jazz-style parade in honor of Richmond’s Gary Gerloff, who passed in May.

As long as you’re hanging around in that downtown area, you might think about hopping over to The Canal Club for some Varietease.  Richmond Varietease‘s Tassels of Terror kicks off at 8:00PM and costs $10 at the door.  If you see The Checkout Girl there, make sure you buy her a drink.  She just had a birthday.

For Friday (that’s today October 9th in the year 2009, if my internal clock isn’t totally off) other options for something to do include:

Everclear, Paper Tongues, and Tracy Lyons at The Hat Factory.  This is the place that used to be Toad’s Place.  I haven’t been there yet.  Do you have comments about it?  Comment!

Old Towne Petersburg (remember that post about Monroe Properties?) is hosting Friday for the Arts from 6-10 tonight.  Head down North Sycamore.

For Saturday, you can go to Plaza Bowl to see some bands and throw some tiny balls.  Or, check Style Weekly or Richmond Inside Out for more information on stuff to do.  If you know about something we don’t, please post it in the comments.  We love to hear from you!  Remember to check back next Friday, October 16, 2009 for all the Richmond, VA weekend events.

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