The Fateful Tour - by Meredith R.

Wind rustles through the trees

the moon glows bright,

on this dark and stormy night

What awaits us over that next hour?

Shadows come to life in the dim lanterns light?

Stories that make us shiver with fright?

We meet our guide and begin our trek

The Cobblestoned streets from days of yore

Came alive with tales of mystery and lore.

As the time slips by

We wind down Old Town’s paths

So far we’ve escaped any spirits wrath!

And just as I think we are in the clear-

A hazy figure begins to appear…

Just beyond the gates of the graveyard it rose,

We awakened it from its eternal repose!

It gazes at us , we stand in shock,

And as it began to turn our way ,

It gives a faint smile , seeming to say-

“you’re welcome here -to stroll by our stones

Learn of the secrets that each ghost here owns , and if you give us our proper due-no harm here shall come to you.”

And then with that, we are urged by our guide,

to heed the spirit’s gentle chide,

and touch the gate as we leave alone,

So no “resident’s below” will follow us home.

And with that we depart-with eerie delight-

on this eventful dark and storm night!

Do Ghosts Only Come Out at Night? - By Eliza K.

One of the questions I’m asked most often on tours is, “Have you seen a ghost?” I will usually respond that I don’t typically see ghosts or spirits, but rather I feel them.

It just so happened one night on a film set where we were filming in an old frontier town in PA that I passed by this church on my way to the bathroom. The spookiness of the sky and the setting was intriguing, and I wanted to capture the essence of our domain at night. I sent the picture immediately to our group chat, whereupon another guide said, “Oh, yes, I see the ghosts.”

This was actually not what I wanted to hear! Especially as I stood directly in front of that said church with those said ghosts right at that moment. But I chose to be brave and do some serious looking…. Until I heard an awful noise and suddenly I was screaming and running and laughing at myself all at once towards the others who were still on set with me. I ran into the area where we’d been having our dinners and snacks, our hair and makeup done, and I realized perhaps that it was the chairs being pushed around by others in that holding space. Perhaps because it was a camplike setting and the walls of that structure were not entirely insulated, I had simply heard chairs scraping across the wooden floor. I was somewhat out of breath due to the excitement when I got up the nerve to ask the two women who worked there and had an ancestral home there if there were ghosts in the church.

“Oh yes, of course!” said Jacy.

Her sister replied, “And she wants me to stay here overnight! No way!”

So it was clear that in fact there were plenty of ghost tales to be told in this old frontier town of the 1800s, the town whose homes we’d been filming in, the town whose roads we’d been traversing for a week. But then Jacy also said, after being told about my picture, “Oh there are things in the window that would account for those images.”

Aha. Well then. That’s settled. So I went back. YES! I went back to see if what Jacy indicated was really what I was seeing. Because you see, as a ghost tour guide, I like to be realistic about the images I’m presenting. I like to not be hypervigilant and think every shadow or every light we see IS a ghost. Maybe it’s a play of lighting, or just the reflections from the night sky, or whatever else might affect the pictures we get. And that night I couldn’t quite tell. I couldn’t tell if there were things in the window that would give the sense of faces behind them, or if there was moonlight splaying in just a way that anyone would capture such an image as a ghostly one.

The following morning as I passed the church again, I decided to take a look in the daylight. As I examined the windows, I didn’t quite see that Jacy’s explanation fit the bill. I didn’t see the things she said were there. And then it happened. There in broad daylight. That feeling I get when I don’t see but rather feel the ghosts. That heaviness in my chest- not so much that I can’t breathe, but maybe that I really don’t want to.

I took my cue and I took my leave of that church immediately.

So tell me, do you think the ghosts only come out at night?

We Blog Now Too!

Hello!

My name is Nikisha (that's me in the picture!) - and I work as a guide for Alexandria Colonial Tours. I also update our social media and maintain our website. It is my absolute pleasure to bring to you our very first blog post!

With a rich heritage dating back to before the colonial era, Alexandria, Virginia is a city steeped in history and mystery. Our knowledgeable guides have been leading tourists on unforgettable walking tours and providing a window into the captivating tales of the past for over 35 years! Now, through our blog, we aim to bring this same sense of wonder and intrigue to a wider audience.

All posts will be written by our very own guides and will cover a diverse range of topics, ensuring there's something for everyone. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a lover of the supernatural, or simply seeking to uncover lesser-known facts! Here are some examples of what you can look forward to seeing:

Ghostly Encounters: Prepare to be enthralled as our guides share eerie encounters and spine-chilling tales from their time exploring Alexandria's haunted past. From spectral sightings to unexplained phenomena, these accounts will send shivers down your spine and keep you coming back for more.

Unveiling History: Delve into the rich tapestry of Alexandria's colonial history! Our guides, who possess a deep understanding of the city's heritage, will share intriguing stories, historical trivia, and insights into the lives of notable figures who shaped the area.

Spooky & Fun: Discover fun anecdotes, amusing incidents from our tours, and memorable interactions with guests. We aim to capture the joy and excitement that comes with exploring Alexandria's unique blend of history and entertainment.

Since our favorite thing to do is to foster a sense of community and shared curiosity, we could not be more excited to start this new chapter. We hope that our guests will feel free to participate actively by leaving comments and suggestions for future blog post topics. Your input will help us create content that resonates with your interests and ensures an engaging and immersive experience for all!

So, fasten your seatbelts, grab a cup of coffee, and get ready to explore Alexandria's intriguing past from the comfort of your own home. Welcome to Alexandria Colonial Tours' blog - where history comes alive!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Nikisha