By Caitlin Coast
The Daily Colonial
Halloween is just around the corner in the nation?s capital, complete with cold air, candy corn, costumes and, if you keep your eyes open... ghosts?
A city with as much history as Washington is bound to have accumulated its share of hauntings and ghost lore. Although many ghost stories and sightings are questionable, the possibility of spiritual activity still sends chills down spines and provides an opportunity for a different kind of sight-seeing.
If you?re in the mood to take a break from midterms or just play the tourist for the weekend, check out these local museums, theatres, and other haunted locales.
Decatur House
748 Jackson Place, NW (Lafayette Square Park)
Formerly the home of the naval hero Stephen Decatur, the house is now a museum under the Natural Trust for Historic Preservation. Decatur, a commodore renowned for his bravery in both the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, was killed in a duel in 1820. Witnesses claim that his spirit can be seen sneaking out of the side of the house on his way to the duel and sounds of his wife crying can be heard in the downstairs. Sightings of his spirit in the window on the H Street side of the house were so common that the window was eventually boarded up. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, and offers a student discount.
The Octagon/American Institute of Architecture Museum
1799 E Street, NW
First Lady Dolly Madison is just one of the many ghosts said to roam the halls of this house. Former president James Madison and his wife stayed here after the White House was burned in the War of 1812, and the First Lady is rumored to have enjoyed her stay so much that her ghost has appeared many times after her death. In addition, two unhappier spirits also reside here. Col. George Tayloe, the original owner, lived in the house with his wife and fifteen children. His two oldest daughters both died by falling off the top of the spiral staircase, either a result of accident or suicide. Tenants have often seen a woman?s figure ascending the staircase with a candle. Today, the American Architectural Foundation owns the building. Tours can be arranged in advance only, and a student discount is available.
Ford?s Theatre
511 10th Street, NW
Infamously remembered as the scene of Lincoln?s death, Ford?s Theatre has its share of ghost stories. On the night of April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln as he watched a theatre performance and then made his escape by jumping to the stage and exiting. Lincoln?s ghost is rumored to haunt the building, but many witnesses have heard the sound of Booth?s footsteps racing up the back staircase. Closed for many years, the theatre reopened in 1968 and still puts on shows today.
National Theatre
1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
For nearly a century, the ghost of John McCullough has haunted the National Theatre. A popular actor in the 1800?s, McCullough got into an argument with another actor over a woman in the basement of the theatre. The other actor shot McCullough in his anger, and then buried the body in the dirt floor. His ghost made appearances soon after his death, either sitting in the audience on the opening night of a new show, or checking props backstage. Night watchmen report seeing McCullough?s spirit roaming the theatre, and a close friend of McCullough once said he saw the spectre gliding across the stage. It is also rumored the ghost of a young actor who idolized McCullough, Eddie Specht, follows McCullough?s ghost around the theatre. The National Theatre also puts on shows today.
Indonesian Embassy
2020 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
This mansion hosts the spirit of its former owner, Evalyn Walsh McLean, owner of the infamous Hope Diamond. In her lifetime, McLean ignored the supposed ?curse? upon the Diamond and took every opportunity to flaunt it. However, the end of McLean?s life was filled with tragedy ? her son was killed in an accident, her husband cheated on her and later was committed to an asylum, and her daughter overdosed on sleeping pills. McLean died the following year, and the diamond went into the care of the Smithsonian. Today, the McLean mansion is the Indonesian embassy, and witnesses say they have spotted McLean?s nude apparition gracing the staircase.
Healy Hall
Georgetown University
Next time you?re visiting friends at Georgetown University, don?t forget to check out Healy Hall. Built in 1875 and housing the clock tower, the building is rumored to be haunted on its upper floors. The fifth floor is said to be haunted by a Jesuit who was killed many years ago while winding the clock hands in the bell tower. This floor is now closed off from the public. University officials insist this is a measure of protection against students who would attempt to steal the clock hands, an old school tradition.
The Old Stone House
3051 M Street, NW
The Old Stone House, the oldest building in Washington, is tucked away between shops in busy Georgetown. Built in 1765 by Christopher Layman, there are rumored to be at least 11 ghosts haunting the building, including Layman. The most notorious ghost, nicknamed George, supposedly attempts to strangle and rape women who enter his room on the third floor. The other ghosts, however, are said to be harmless, and range from children playing to young women in pre-Civil war dress. The house is now a museum, open for tours Wednesday through Sunday.
For those who would like to learn more about the ghosts of D.C., Capital Hauntings does a walking tour of Lafayette Square for $10. The group meets at 7:30 in front of McPherson Square metro station every Friday until Oct. 26 For more information, call (202) 484-1565.
http://www.dailycolonial.com/go.dc?p=3&s=3197
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
