Charlottesville: Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour

Charlottesville’s haunted past comes alive on the Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour. Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour takes visitors on a captivating journey through the city’s most iconic landmarks, uncovering the chilling tales of spirits that linger within. From the Paramount Theater, where a former usher’s ghost is said to roam, to the downtown pedestrian mall, where Thomas Jefferson’s apparition is rumored to haunt the streets, each stop on the tour offers a fascinating glimpse into Charlottesville’s grim history. As the tour delves into the city’s colonial-era slavery and the eerie energy of Maplewood Cemetery, one can’t help but wonder what other secrets these haunted halls hold.

This experience made our list of the 7 Best Tours In Charlottesville.

Key Points

• The Paramount Theater serves as the starting point for the Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour, where visitors may encounter the ghost of a former usher.
• The tour explores the haunted downtown pedestrian mall, including a store with reported paranormal activity and the rumored apparition of Thomas Jefferson.
• The tour delves into Charlottesville’s dark history of slavery, highlighting slave markets, plantations, and the daily struggles of the enslaved population.
• Maplewood Cemetery, the final resting place of many prominent Charlottesville residents, is a haunting stop on the tour with reports of ghostly apparitions and disembodied voices.
• The Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour offers visitors an opportunity to explore the historic and supernatural aspects of Charlottesville’s past.

You can check availability for your dates here:

The Paramount Theater

The Paramount Theater stands as the meeting point for the Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour, welcoming visitors to embark on an immersive exploration of Charlottesville’s haunted past.

This historic venue, built in 1931, has witnessed its fair share of supernatural occurrences over the years. Guests gather under the theater’s grand marquee, where the ghost of a former usher is said to linger, watching over the proceedings.

As the tour guide arrives, adorned in a US Ghost Adventures t-shirt and carrying a lantern, the group sets off to uncover the eerie tales and unsettling energy that permeate Charlottesville’s most haunted sites, beginning their journey at this iconic landmark.

Haunted Downtown Pedestrian Mall

From the Paramount Theater, the group embarks on their Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour, venturing into the most haunted sites within the downtown pedestrian mall.

Visitors will explore the eerie atmosphere of this historic commercial district, where paranormal activities have been reported for decades.

The tour guide leads the group to the most haunted store in the area, where strange occurrences have been witnessed by both employees and customers.

The group may also encounter the apparition of Thomas Jefferson, who’s rumored to haunt the streets he once walked.

The tour delves into the dark history of slavery in colonial Charlottesville, adding to the chilling ambiance of the experience.

Thomas Jefferson’s Apparition

Visitors often report catching a glimpse of the ghostly apparition of Thomas Jefferson stalking the streets he once roamed in colonial Charlottesville.

The third U.S. President and founder of the University of Virginia is said to haunt the city he helped shape.

Tour guests may spot Jefferson’s translucent form near his former law office or by the site of the original Albemarle County Courthouse.

Some even claim to hear his disembodied voice echoing through the streets.

While the reasons behind Jefferson’s restless spirit remain unclear, many believe he continues to watch over the town he loved.

Encountering this esteemed Founding Father’s apparition is sure to send a chill down any visitor’s spine.

Colonial Slavery in Charlottesville

During the colonial era, Charlottesville’s economy was heavily reliant on the institution of slavery, with many of the city’s prominent figures profiting from the forced labor of enslaved individuals.

The walking tour explores the grim history of slavery in the area, highlighting three key aspects:

1. The slave markets and auctions that once took place in Court Square, where human beings were bought and sold.

2. The homes and plantations of Charlottesville’s slaveholding elite, including Thomas Jefferson, who owned hundreds of enslaved persons.

3. The daily lives and struggles of the enslaved population, whose stories are often overshadowed by the legacies of their oppressors.

Through this exploration, the tour aims to confront the city’s complex and troubling past, providing a sobering reminder of the human cost of Charlottesville’s colonial-era prosperity.

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Chilling Energy at Maplewood Cemetery

One haunting stop on the Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour is Maplewood Cemetery, where the tour group will experience the chilling energy that permeates the historic graveyard.

Opened in 1827, Maplewood is the final resting place of many prominent Charlottesville residents, including some who met untimely demises.

Visitors often report feeling a sense of unease and heaviness in the air, as if the spirits of the deceased linger among the weathered gravestones.

The guide will share tales of unexplained occurrences, such as ghostly apparitions and disembodied voices, that have been documented over the years.

Stepping into Maplewood Cemetery is like stepping into the past, where the veil between the living and the dead grows thin.

Knowledgeable and Credible Ghost Guide

The knowledgeable and credible ghost guide leads the Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour, regaling participants with well-researched and authentic local ghost stories. Their expertise and enthusiasm bring the haunted history of Charlottesville to life, captivating visitors with chilling tales of the city’s most infamous paranormal encounters.

The guide’s deep understanding of Charlottesville’s dark past is evident in their ability to:

1. Provide fascinating historical context for each haunted site.
2. Share captivating eyewitness accounts of ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena.
3. Offer insights into the spiritual energy that lingers in the most haunted locations.

With this invaluable guidance, the Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour offers a truly immersive and spine-tingling experience for anyone seeking to uncover Charlottesville’s supernatural secrets.

Tour Inclusions and Meeting Point

The Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour includes a knowledgeable guide who leads participants through the most haunted sites in Charlottesville, sharing well-researched and authentic local ghost stories. The tour lasts 1 hour and covers the pedestrian mall, court square, and beyond. Highlights include visiting the most haunted store, searching for the apparition of Thomas Jefferson, and experiencing the chilling energy at Maplewood Cemetery.

Inclusions	Meeting Point	Important Information
Knowledgeable guide	The Paramount Theater, 215 E Main St	Tour takes place rain or shine
Well-researched and credible history	Arrive 15 minutes before tour start time	Not recommended for people with mobility impairments
Authentic, local ghost stories	Guide will be wearing a US Ghost Adventures t-shirt and carrying a lantern	No smoking, alcohol, or drugs allowed
		No video recording

Important Tour Information

Tours take place rain or shine, so guests should dress accordingly for the weather. The walking tour isn’t recommended for those with mobility impairments, as it covers a fair amount of ground.

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs aren’t permitted during the tour, and video recording isn’t allowed either.

The tour covers the following important details:

1. The walking tour explores the most haunted sites in Charlottesville, including the pedestrian mall, court square, and beyond.
2. Guests will visit the most haunted store in the downtown area and search for the apparition of Thomas Jefferson.
3. The tour delves into the history of slavery in colonial Charlottesville and the chilling energy at Maplewood Cemetery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Tour Guides Professional Actors or Historians?

The tour guides are knowledgeable local historians who share well-researched and credible information about the area’s history and ghost stories. They’re not professional actors, but bring the past to life through their expertise and storytelling.

Can We Extend the Tour Duration for an Additional Fee?

Yes, the tour duration can be extended for an additional fee. Customers can inquire with the tour operator about upgrading their tour experience to include more time and explore additional haunted sites in the area.

Is the Tour Accessible for People With Visual Impairments?

The tour may not be fully accessible for people with visual impairments. While the guide provides detailed descriptions, the experience relies heavily on walking and viewing historic sites. Accommodations could be discussed with the tour operator prior to booking.

Can We Bring Our Own Cameras and Audio Recorders?

While cameras and audio recorders are generally allowed on tours, this particular tour has a no video recording policy. Guests should check with the tour provider beforehand to ensure they can bring their own photography and recording equipment.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for Participating in the Tour?

The tour doesn’t have any age restrictions, but it’s not recommended for young children. Participants of all ages are welcome, though the tour content may not be suitable for those under 12 years old.

Recap

Charlottesville’s Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour offers a captivating exploration of the city’s haunted past.

From the Paramount Theater’s ghostly usher to Thomas Jefferson’s rumored apparition, the tour delves into the chilling realities of Charlottesville’s history, including the grim legacy of colonial-era slavery.

Led by a knowledgeable guide, the tour provides a fascinating and sobering glimpse into the paranormal side of this historic city.

You can check availability for your dates here: