From hotels with ghostly guests to museums with mysterious pasts, discover what makes Williamsburg the most haunted city in Virginia.
Virginia is home to several haunted cities, from Radford, where you’ll find the spooky St Albans Sanatorium, to Alexandria, which is home to so many haunted locations that it has several ghost tours highlighting its most chill-inducing spots. However, Williamsburg is arguably Virginia’s most haunted city.
With buildings dating back to the 1800s when Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia, charming cobblestone streets, and spirited historical reenactments, walking through Williamsburg—particularly the historic area—feels like taking a step back in time. As you stroll the streets of this Historic Triangle city, you may feel as though you aren’t walking alone. That’s because so many of the old homes, museums, and taverns in Williamsburg are rumored to be haunted.
Given Williamsburg’s age and historical significance—it played a major role in the Revolutionary and Civil wars—it’s no surprise that many people have reported ghostly encounters and mysterious happenings in the city. Keep reading to learn all about some of the most haunted places in Williamsburg and the spooky stories behind each one.
1. Peyton Randolph House
Several tragedies occurred in the Peyton Randolph House back in its heyday, and many believe the victims of those unfortunate events haunt the historic home-turned-museum.
The home served as a hospital for injured soldiers during the American Revolution, and it’s assumed many of the wounded individuals died in the makeshift medical facility. Other reported deaths include a Confederate soldier who fell ill at the home, two men who fought each other to death, a young boy who fell from a tree on the property, and a young girl who fell from a second-story window.
One famous visitor, French military officer Marquis de Lafayette, claimed he felt a ghost’s hand touch his shoulder and heard mysterious voices during his stay at the home in 1824. Today, visitors occasionally report seeing an apparition of a man dressed in 18th-century clothing. Some have also reported hearing the sound of stomping boots.
2. George Wythe House
The George Wythe House has a lengthy and interesting history—the home’s namesake was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and George Washington used the house as his headquarters during the Revolutionary War. Today, the house is open to the public and is a popular stop on ghost tours of Williamsburg.
The main George Wythe House ghost story revolves around a woman named Ann Skipwith. She and her husband were close friends with George Wythe and often visited him at his house. The circumstances of Skipwith’s death are mysterious (some say Skipwith died after having a miscarriage; others think her husband’s adulterous behavior led her to commit suicide), and it’s believed that her spirit haunts the George Wythe House.
Over the years, visitors have reported seeing apparitions of Skipworth, hearing disembodied voices and strange noises, and witnessing the door of her wardrobe opening and closing on its own.
3. Fort Magruder Hotel & Conference Center
The Fort Magruder Hotel & Conference Center was built on the site of the Battle of Williamsburg, which is why many believe it to be haunted. The hotel is closed now (in May, it was announced the property would be converted into a mixed-use development), but former staffers have reported strange occurrences, such as objects being moved mysteriously, glass shattering when no one else is around, and figures walking through windows.
Guests have also reported paranormal activity, such as seeing apparitions of a man in a Confederate uniform in their room.
4. Brick House Tavern
Brick House Tavern is steeped in history—and apparently haunted. When it first opened, the building was a hotel with a tavern in the basement. Most of the building was destroyed in a fire in 1842, but it was meticulously restored—a process that some believe disturbed the spirits that were resting there.
Guests have reported hearing mysterious footsteps on a staircase and the jingling of keys believed to belong to the ghost of an innkeeper. Some guests have claimed to see ghosts in their room, while others have reported smelling a pungent body odor and tobacco smoke.
5. Orrell House
Orrell House, built some time between 1750 and 1775, is allegedly home to many mischievous ghosts. The house was restored and converted into a vacation rental, and some guests have reported experiencing paranormal activities during their stay.
Most commonly, guests report faucets turning on by themselves. Other guests and staff members have reported finding furniture turned upside down or rearranged, while some have claimed to feel a sensation of being watched or said they have heard footsteps when they’re alone. One family said they awoke one morning to find their bathroom covered in unraveled toilet paper.
6. Wren Building
The College of William & Mary’s Wren Building has the distinction of being the oldest still-standing university building in the country. Since being constructed between 1695 and 1700, the building has been ravaged by three fires, but was restored after each one and is still used as an academic building today.
Students, professors, and visitors have reported mysterious occurrences within the building, ranging from sightings of ghost soldiers late at night to sounds of disembodied footsteps.
7. Lightfoot House
Lightfoot House, now referred to as Lightfoot Tenement, is rumored to be haunted by unnamed ghosts—presumably past residents who once called the historic house home. Housekeepers have reported discovering beds they had just made stripped of sheets and bedding, and other employees have mentioned missing or moved items.
Apparitions and mysterious noises are also common at Lightfoot House. Staff members claimed to have seen ghosts dressed in colonial-era clothing and heard disembodied footsteps and laughter.
8. Bassett Hall
Bassett Hall, an 18th-century farmhouse once owned by John D. Rockefeller Jr., has been open to the public since 2002. In the decades since, many visitors have reported experiencing supernatural events. While touring the home, some guests claim to have felt cold spots and heard disembodied voices.
Bassett Hall had several other owners before Rockefeller, and it’s believed that the ghosts haunting the building are the spirits of previous owners watching over their home.
9. Shields Tavern
Shields Tavern serves up Southern fare with a side of supernatural sightings. After opening in 1709, Shields Tavern became a busy social hub for locals and travelers alike. The tavern is rumored to be haunted by former patrons and Revolutionary War soldiers.
Flickering lights, strange sounds, and lingering spirits have been reported at Shields Tavern.
10. Wetherburn’s Tavern
Shields Tavern isn’t Williamsburg’s only haunted watering hole. Nearby Wetherburn’s Tavern is allegedly haunted by a woman in white who is thought to be the wife of the tavern’s former owner. Rumor has it that the spirit can be heard crying as she roams throughout the tavern at night.
An employee also reported a ghostly encounter. This staff member claims to have set up candles in the parlor for an event, only to find them knocked onto the floor when she returned to light them.
