Member Review Petersburg Ghost Watch

[Doc_Ralph]

Petersburg's Ghost Watch 2024 at Centre Hill Mansion Museum: Paranormal presentation
By Kristi K. Higgins, Petersburg Progress-Index,

The Progress-Index
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"PETERSBURG — Don't miss Ghost Watch 2024 at Centre Hill Mansion Museum. The historic property owned by the city of Petersburg was constructed in 1823 by Robert Bolling IV. It is known to have nonliving occupants. Ghost enthusiasts and curiosity seekers love this event.
Originally, Centre Hill was designed in Federal-style. In 1839, Bolling's son Robert Buckner Bolling inherited the property and modified it to the Greek Revival style in 1850.

The main ghost story originated in the 1870s on January 24 when former owner Townshend Bolling reported hearing Union soldier ghosts enter the mansion. The occurrence became so frequent that Bolling hosted what he called "listening parties." To honor Townshend's tradition, the annual Ghost Watch continues to be held on January 24.

Ever since the end of the Civil War, on the evening of January 24 at 7:20 there is a ghostly visit of cavalry men. They arrive at Centre Hill, leave their horses, enter the front door, climb the steps to the general's office, bang around for about 20 minutes, and exit the mansion at 7:40.

At exactly 7:30 p.m., the time Bolling said he heard the soldiers, ongoing tours will be alerted to stay in place by the sound of a gong. Then, lights will be turned off so guests can try and hear the ghost brigade.

Petersburg: Ghost Watch 2024
Ticket holders are in for a treat. They get to tour the tunnel which is not on the regular tour, and meet the following ghosts portrayed by historical interpreters.

• Anna Bolling, the Lady in White: Tamara Eastman
• Ghost of Josephine Mcllwaine: Suzy Crowder
• Archibald Campbell Pryor: Lindsay Gray
• Charles Davis Jr.: Bailey Sheetz
• Civil War ghost soldier: Ben Barrett
• Anne Augusta Banister Pryor: Cherry Turner

Petersburg: Haunted Centre Hill Mansion
Tour guide Michelle Murrills has personally encountered ghosts at Centre Hill Mansion Museum. She shared one of the ghostly experiences with our readers.

"Centre Hill has dozens of ghosts that inhabit it, many of which I have had personal contact with. I have been pushed and pinched and have heard them speaking and making other noises. Once they stole my keys for about an hour," Murrills said.

One of the most interesting ghosts Murrills is aware of is down in the tunnel and is named James.

"I met James in the tunnel during a special COVID ghost watch when we had special equipment brought in to speak with the ghosts. He spoke with us and told us a bit about himself. James was an enslaved teenager who, according to him, loved to drink his master's gin when he wasn't working," Murrills shared.

The paranormal experts and those present could not figure out whether James said he was born or bought in Richmond.
"James thought the women he was talking to were beautiful. We didn't get to talk to him much because he said the master was coming and he had to leave," Murrills said. "So, if you are ever in the tunnel at Centre Hill, say hi to James."

Centre Hill Mansion Museum: Paranormal activity

Steve Vaughan, Angela Vaughan, Matt Kilbourne and Kelly Kilbourne with Ghost Eyes Paranormal will be on site during Ghost Watch 2024. During their presentation about paranormal activity, they will present their findings from their Centre Hill Mansion Museum investigation on Sunday, January 7.
The team of paranormal investigators try to connect the history of a location with the paranormal activity reported there. They have investigated The Poe Museum, Magnolia Grange Museum, Jennie Wade House, Gettysburg Orphanage, Henricus Historical Park and other historic haunted locations.

Brian Silver, Petersburg Museums tour guide and Ghost Watch co-chair, was present during Ghost Eyes Paranormal team's latest Centre Hill Mansion Museum investigation. According to Silver, using a flashlight they communicated with a spirit in the southwest bedroom.

"It appeared to be a ghost of a Civil War soldier that may have been in the house during Lincoln's visit," Silver said. "We would ask mostly yes and no questions, and with responses with the flashlight going on and off."

Ghost Watch 2024 tickets are $15 per person. Tours are every 20 minutes between 6 - 8:40 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24. Centre Hill Mansion Museum is located at 1 Centre Hill Ave. in Petersburg. Additional parking is located on Franklin St. To purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com. Tickets are also available at Blandford Church Reception Center at 111 Rochelle Lane in Petersburg which is open Thursday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday 1 - 3 p.m.

Who knows...perhaps the Lady in White will show herself or the entity in the library will make a special appearance."

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Here's more of the historical (earthly realm) background of the Mansion Petersburg Historical Society …

"
Centre Hill Mansion
Built in 1823 by Robert Bolling IV, a Revolutionary War veteran and prominent citizen of Petersburg, Centre Hill remained a residence until 1936. Presidents Abraham Lincoln and William H. Taft visited Centre Hill while they were in office.

Between 1818 and 1823 Robert Bolling IV constructed Centre Hill, Petersburg's "most stately home." He served as a Captain in a Dinwiddie County militia cavalry unit when the British entered the city on April 25, 1781 after winning the Battle of Petersburg. He became wealthy by owning several tobacco warehouses in Petersburg. Inheriting the property from his father in 1839, Robert Buckner Bolling modified the original Federal house to the Greek Revival style in 1850. In 1901, Petersburg attorney Charles Hall Davis purchased the house and conducted a major restoration of the house and grounds

Three presidents have visited the house: John Tyler, Abraham Lincoln, and William Howard Taft. In 1864 Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet made Centre Hill his headquarters, as did Union Major General George L. Hartsuff on April 5, 1865. President Lincoln met with General Hartsuff at the mansion on April 3, a mere 11 days before he was shot in Ford's Theater in Washington.

President Taft drew a huge crowd to the luncheon in his honor on the home and grounds during his 1909 visit

Soon after President Taft's visit, Mr. Davis experienced financial difficulties and he sold lots on the grounds. Centre Hill National Historic District surrounds the mansion, and the early 20th century homes in Centre Hill Court are a mix of bungalows, Colonial Revivals, and Foursquares. The house and property were sold at auction in 1936 and went through several hands before being deeded to the City in 1972.

Centre Hill is situated on five acres overlooking the Appomattox River, and is prominent in the vista heading south on the Boulevard from Colonial Heights into Petersburg. The property retains the remnants of a brick wall and a wrought-iron fence. The Garden Club of Virginia has restored its landscaping. The mansion was featured in Steven Spielberg's movie "Lincoln," filmed in Petersburg just before Christmas 2011.

The property is now Centre Hill Mansion Museum, a City of Petersburg museum. It features many superb 19th and 20th century pieces of furniture and decorative arts, many with local significance. The property is on the National Historic Register, and the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is charged, and tours are given every half hour. The site includes an orientation exhibition and gift shop with a fine selection of books."