Sweet Briar College was founded in 1901, and since then has accumulated several ghosts. The college was founded by Indiana Fletcher Williams in memory of her daughter Daisy, who died in 1884 at age 16. “Miss Indie” died in 1900, but her ghost is said to make itself known throughout the college. Daisy’s ghost is here as well, staff say; both Indie and Daisy have visited in spirit. Daisy has been known to play with light switches. A mysterious cloud has appeared before mirrors, only to disappear shortly thereafter. One time upon finding and finally identifying a photograph of Miss Indie, ghostly laughter rang out in an empty room. And when the new gym was built and named the Daisy Williams Gymnasium, a framed bronze medallion featuring Daisy’s bust was found by the housekeeper in a supply storage area. No one had ever seen it before and no one knew where it came from. It is now mounted on the entrance hall wall just inside the doors.
Sweet Briar College
Stratford Hall
Stratford Hall Plantation was the home of the Lee family, including two Declaration of Independence signers, and it was Robert E. Lee’s birthplace. It is said to be haunted by Elizabeth McCarty Storke, rumored to have had an affair with Henry Lee, Robert E. Lee’s step-brother, when she was only 14. Elizabeth’s voice is said to have been heard by a medium saying “I didn’t do it!” Another ghost here is believed to be Madeleine, who had been in charge of taking care of children in the nursery. And in the wine cellar, ghosts of slaves are said to reside, hiding from a murder that once happened there. The ghosts told the medium the body was buried under the stairs.
Jeters Chapel of the Brethren Cemetery
Jeters Chapel of the Brethren Cemetery, according to reports, is haunted by a man in a white robe who floats near the center of the cemetery.
Governor's Mansion - Executive Mansion
The Virginia Governor’s Mansion, or Executive Mansion, is the oldest occupied governor’s mansion in the U.S., serving since 1813. In the 1890s, the apparition of a lady was seen sitting at the window by then-governor Philip McKinney. She was seen later by a police officer, and since then has caused many strange things to happen, such as the moving of paintings, causing of a light to stay on even when turned off, and an icy freeze in the basement on a hot day. The ghost’s identity is unknown.
Old Central State Hospital
Central State Hospital, previously Central Lunatic Asylum, was the first institution in the country for African Americans of “unsound mind.” In the 1840s, if slave owners could pay the fees they could have their slaves committed. Some of the old grounds still operates as a hospital; other buildings have been abandoned. Locals say they have seen and heard many odd phenomena in the area.
Laurel Grove Cemetery
Laurel Grove Cemetery, often referred to as Ramsey Cemetery or the Ramsey Family Cemetery, is said to be haunted by something that makes the temperature inside very cold after midnight. Shadowy figures, leaves that move without a breeze, and footsteps also have been reported.
The Loft Gallery
A haunting experience happened at The Loft Gallery in the 1990s when a painting flew off a wall. Then, one early morning in October 2006, an artist saw a glowing mist float through the gallery. Witnesses also report footsteps, creaking floors, and doors closing when no one is there.
Wilderness Road Regional Museum
Wilderness Road Regional Museum is said to be haunted by an apparition of a young woman who walks the ground or stands in the window. The lights are known to flicker here as well.
Wayside Theatre
Wayside Theatre is believed to be the forever home to a ghost of a former caretaker who perished in a fire. His activity centers on the back-porch costume storage, the basement, and the balcony. Seat CC1 is often found to be mysteriously lowered.
Belle Grove Plantation
Belle Grove Plantation, built between 1794 and 1797, was once the home of Revolutionary War veteran Major Isaac Hite, Jr. (President James Madison’s brother-in-law) and was the headquarters of General Philip Sheridan during the Battle of Cedar Creek. It is believed to be haunted by an apparition of a woman dressed in a black dress with a veil over her head. She has been seen standing in the window of the topmost room, and is believed to have been a former plantation resident.
