WILLIAMSBURG — Strolling down Duke of Gloucester Street after sunset, literally, brings new light and perspective to the history of Colonial Williamsburg.
Told by costumed storytellers who spend hours researching, preparing and training, Haunted Williamsburg is the official Colonial Williamsburg ghost tour. This one-hour candlelit walking tour takes guests inside historic buildings telling authentic stories.
“This gives you the opportunity to see Colonial Williamsburg in a different light. The atmosphere, in general, is very different. So, you may get a little creeped out — maybe that’s something you are looking for — but, what may be more important is that you get to go into these spaces. It really is a behind-the-scenes tour,” said Colonial Williamsburg Historian Kelly Brennan.
The current tour regularly utilizes the Peyton Randolph House, James Getty House, George Wythe House, and the Governor’s Palace. Sites can change and expand with the program as new stories are added.
(Photo courtesy of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.)
“Being inside the candlelit buildings, regardless of if you believe in ghosts, there is something about it that takes you back to the 18th century and to a time period of when shadows start to twist and turn in the corners, help is not just a phone call away, and the thing that goes bump in the night may really be out to get you,” stated Kimberly Dynia, Manager of Evening Programs.
While rooted in historical significance, each storyteller has a different way of interpreting and presenting the stories. Plus, the ghosts run on their own time. Guests can have a different experience nightly.
Over the course of time, the land and buildings have been home to many. These spaces, from the 18th century until now, have seen many changes and generations.
“The question people bring up, and it is a fair point, whenever you see a ghost inside these buildings they are always in 18th-century clothing, why? Many of our stories are about ghosts that we think may have been employees, that are now gone, but still come back to a place they loved to work when they were alive. Even I wonder … maybe they are people like us [interpreters or storytellers].” Dynia explained, “We are always adding new stories to our repertoire because new things are happening all the time.”
“Colonial Williamsburg is focused on providing well-researched programs. All the stories that we tell are documented, whether it’s from original primary sources or straight from our employees. I think that makes it a lot of fun for a guest as well because I can guarantee you that this was a real experience that happened in this location,” said Dynia.
The main focus is on the history, the tour does not rely on paranormal equipment, but in the dark things can be quite spooky.
Brennan shared a personal story of a ghost that taunted and mimicked her while finishing a late tour one evening at Shield’s Tavern. While not 100% sure, Brennan feels pretty confident that interaction was with Frances Shield, the daughter of James, owner of the tavern who was cut out of the family will. Frances, it is assumed, decided to stick around anyway.
“People scare differently.” Brennan said, “Really creeping someone out is one thing. However, there are other things that can bring an emotional connection. It is not just fear. It can be humor, a sense of sorrow or loss, because ghosts were human.”
Haunted Williamsburg runs daily, weather permitting. Ticketed reservations are required.
“I always like to tell people that what we are sharing are real experiences that somebody felt. This was a thing that happened to them and they have no explanation for it,” Dynia continued, “Is it a ghost? I don’t know, that’s up to you to decide.”
