Colonial Williamsburg in Haunted Virginia

Williamsburg started out as Middle Plantation in the 1600s. It was founded in 1632 and became the capital of the English colony in 1698. It received the name Williamsburg in 1699. Williamsburg is famous for its Living History Museum and for the College of William ; Mary. Many famous political leaders came out of the college including Thomas Jefferson, John Tyler, and James Monroe among others. In 1773, the first hospital for the care and treatment of mental illness was founded. This was the first one in all of America. In 1780, Williamsburg lost its claim as the Capital of Virginia. This loss of status means that many older buildings still remain as they were not demolished to make way for bigger, better buildings. In 1781, George Washington, then general of the Continental Army, gathered troops in order to lay siege upon Yorktown. This was one of many important battles that led to American Independence. In 1926, the restoration of Williamsburg began. This led to the modern-day Colonial Williamsburg and the Living History Museum. 

Colonial Williamsburg has a long history of paranormal activity. When visiting you can go on a haunted tour, and you might just encounter something unexplained or unexplainable yourself. One popular haunting is Shields Tavern. It is said that the footsteps, and even voice, of Frances Sheilds, the original owner’s daughter, can be heard at night. Another popular tale is that of a man in white that haunts the Wythe House. Some workers and some guests have also seen a woman peering out of an upstairs window in the Wythe House. The Peyton Randolph house is another historic home that has a lot of paranormal activity. Guests have taken many photos of an unexplained apparition or ghostly figure. Chownings Tavern is also reputed to be haunted. Stories from workers say that the furniture will often get rearranged when they are out of the room. Other common paranormal things you may encounter on a visit include the sound of scratching at doors or from another floor in a building, rattling doorknobs, shutters opening and closing without a person, and candles or fires suddenly being lit or blowing out.