Haunts in the City The City of Norfolk, Virginia traces its tales back to the early 17th century, soon after the first English settlers arrived in the new world. Since then, the city has seen its fair share of history: battles, fires, hurricanes, and strife. It continues to strive for that balance between Southern charm and metropolitan pace but no matter the direction it evolves into, Norfolk cannot forget the haunting tales that do not allow the past to be forgotten. DAY ONE Start your haunted trip with a walking or tram tour at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. Find things that bump in the night like owls, bats and vultures along the trail. As darkness falls the Garden’s nocturnal inhabitants awaken, so search for owls on an Owl Prowl guided tour in the Enchanted Forest. Or if you are brave enough go on a exploration to find bats, Virginia is home to 17 species of bats, learn about these mysterious night fliers with the help of a bat-detector. Are you brave enough to walk through a graveyard at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and visit the past? Built in 1739, the church is the only colonial-era building in Norfolk to survive the many wars the city has seen. It still carries a centuries-old cannon ball imbedded in its bricks, a memento from Lord Dunmore. And there are said to be more spiritual reminders of the past within and around its walls. The most prevalent sighting is a figure that appears in the graveyard, thought to be the ghost of Dr. Nicholas Albertson Okeson who tragically died of Malaria in 1882. He was a humble servant for 26 years and was buried at St. Paul’s. Perhaps he still feels there is work to be done. Then head off for dinner at Freemason Abbey Restaurant and Tavern, which has been converted into a restaurant. But in 1873 the Abby was built in the city’s Freemason section. There have been numerous paranormal accounts particularly in the kitchen and bar area where things are being moved around, cupboards opening on their own, and items falling off shelves and doors that will either not stay closed or won’t stay open. There are also those who claim to have seen a dark wan- dering figure and the sound of a woman weeping. And to this day, employees still end the evenings by saying “Goodnight Mr. B,” a nod to a former owner of the restaurant who apparently still takes smoke breaks in the dry goods store room long after he has passed. DAY TWO After breakfast start your day walking on the decks of the largest and last battleship, Battleship Wisconsin. The famous battleship, largest ever operated by the U.S. Navy, is now a museum in downtown Norfolk, a symbol of the city’s proud naval history. But one crew member has apparently stayed behind when all others left. The poor soul was working on the air conditioning system during an overhaul during the Korean War when someone turned on the unit, ending his life. Among the reports of his presence on the ship is testimony from a quartermaster 2nd class serving on board during Operation Desert Storm. Then explore Nauticus, a fun and exciting interactive science and technology center and explore the power of the sea. Discover the Hampton Roads Naval Museum where you will be introduced to over 200 years of naval activity in Hampton Roads. Hear ghost legends and sea stories on an afternoon cruise aboard the Victory Rover Naval Base Cruise. Hear the tales of Blackbeard the Pirate, the Philadelphia Experience and Haunted Fort Norfolk along the waterfront of Norfolk and Portsmouth. Pass by the Naval Station Norfolk and hope the USS George Washington is in port. This Navy ship is said to have a few ghosts that haunt this vessel. One is of a little girl who strolls through the lower levels, perhaps the daughter of a sailor that never returned home. The other ghost is of a guard dog that disappears instantly. And there have also been accounts of a man who walks the halls along with the eerie feeling of always being watched. Journey through Norfolk by experiencing a Historical Ghent Food Tour. Visit locally owned restaurants and sample house specialties while listening to the staff discuss the culinary creations and history of their restaurant and food. In between locations, gather an insight into the history of Norfolk by visiting landmarks. Transport your senses with the various spices and provisions offered by Norfolk’s “hidden-gems” and culinary visionaries. DAY THREE The paranormal adventure continues with a walking tour of Norfolk past some of downtown’s most haunted places. The Norfolk Pagoda, the Blessing Gate arch is a landmark that promises good fortune to all who pass under it. However, when the downtown section was part of the bustling port, the arch’s concrete slab foundation held the weight of a 5,000 gallon molasses storage drum, a sticky grave for many industrial accident victims from many years ago. To this day, many visitors comment on the smell of molasses around the gate. Could it be a message from beyond? The Wells Theatre, opened in 1913 as the crown jewel of the Wells Brothers’ Beaux Arts theaters, the historic Wells has gone from stage to cinema to stage again, with some spooky members of the cast tagging along. The death of a small girl from a balcony fall during the theater’s movie days is still being relived. Employees say they hear her laughter from time to time. And the spirit of a sailor, a crew member who fell while working on the fly system and died tangled in the stage rigging. The ghost is said to roam backstage and is often blamed for missing props or doors being locked. During rehearsals, crew and cast will often be heard shouting “Stop it, Ned!” Make sure you check the performance calendar for Wells Theatre to see if you can enjoy a afternoon or evening performance. Maybe you will see and hear the ghosts as well if you dare! Stroll over to MacArthur Center, Norfolk’s downtown mall, for a little shopping and lunch. Then is back to the ghost hunt with The Moses Myers House Prominent. Businessman Moses Myers built this house in the late 18th Century and until it was donated to the city in the 1930s, five generations inhabited the home. The man that is said to haunt the garden of the house is believed to be Thomas Bowden, someone who was quarreling with Moses Myers before he was shot on the property. It is said that the two were in the middle of a heated discussion before Bowden was shot by Moses Myers’ son, Samuel. The figure is described to be wearing a top hat and cloak, pacing back and forth through the garden relentlessly eager to give his last word. Norfolk City Jail is said to be the most haunted place in the city. A prisoner many years ago hanged himself in his cell and since then, anyone who has been assigned to that particular 9’x9’ space has been terrifyingly provoked by the uneasy spirit of that man. One prisoner has reported never being able to see his own reflection in the mirror but rather a distorted figure of a man’s face. Night guards have reported seeing a silhouette, only to approach and find nothing. After all that walking is time to sit back and relax and enjoy a great dinner at Omar’s Carriage House. This historic site in Norfolk was built in the early 1840’s, when the patrons then were horses. Savor fresh jumbo lump crab cakes and succulent potato crisp flounder at Omar’s contemporary bistro. DAY FOUR On your way home stop in Newport News, Virginia travel to Endview Plantation, where you will see video and listen to actual electronic voice phenomenon (EVP) recordings from investigations con- ducted by RTL Paranormal, a local paranormal investigation group. The home was used briefly as a Confederate hospital in the spring of 1862 and was then occupied by Union forces until 1864. CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION Melissa Hopper VisitNorfolk [email protected] 800.368.3097.