The Story Behind This Haunted Hotel in Virginia is Terrifying

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Written By Blue & Gold NLR Team

 

 

Virginia is a state rich in history and culture, but also in ghost stories and haunted places. Among the many spooky locations in the Old Dominion, one stands out for its terrifying reputation: the Martha Washington Inn in Abingdon.

The History of the Martha Washington Inn

The Martha Washington Inn was built in 1832 as a private residence for General Francis Preston, his wife Sarah, and their nine children. The mansion was named after the first First Lady of the United States, Martha Washington, who was a distant relative of Sarah Preston.

In 1858, the Preston family sold the mansion to the Methodist Episcopal Church, which converted it into a college for young women called Martha Washington College. The college operated until 1932, when it closed due to the Great Depression.

During the Civil War, the college served as a makeshift hospital for wounded Confederate soldiers. Many of them died on the premises, and some of their bloodstains are still visible on the wooden floors today. One of the most tragic stories from this period involves a young woman named Beth, who was a student at the college and fell in love with a soldier named John.

John was mortally wounded in battle and brought to the college, where Beth nursed him until he died in her arms. Beth was so heartbroken that she died of grief shortly after. Her ghost is said to haunt the room where John died, which is now Room 403.

The Hauntings of the Martha Washington Inn

The Martha Washington Inn is considered one of the most haunted hotels in Virginia, with at least six different spirits roaming its halls and rooms. Some of the paranormal phenomena reported by guests and staff include:

1.) Hearing a woman’s voice singing or humming in the hallways, especially near Room 403. This is believed to be the ghost of Beth, who still mourns her lost lover.

2.) Seeing a woman in a long white dress walking through the gardens or sitting on the porch. This is thought to be the ghost of Sarah Preston, who loved to tend to her flowers and enjoy the fresh air.

3.) Feeling cold spots, drafts, or touches in various parts of the hotel. These are attributed to the ghosts of the soldiers who died in the hospital, who are still looking for comfort and warmth.

4.) Hearing footsteps, knocks, or doors opening and closing by themselves. These are caused by the ghosts of the former students and teachers of the college, who are still curious and playful.

5.) Encountering a malicious spirit in the underground tunnel that connects the hotel to the Barter Theatre across the street. This spirit is said to be hostile and aggressive, and has been known to push, scratch, or bite people who venture into the tunnel.

The Conclusion

The Martha Washington Inn is a historic and elegant hotel that offers luxurious accommodations, superior service, and panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, it is also a haunted hotel that harbors the secrets and sorrows of its past. For those who are brave enough to spend a night there, they might encounter some of the restless spirits that still linger in the hotel, and experience the terrifying side of Virginia’s history.

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