GHOSTHUNTING IN HISTORIC ABINGDON, VIRGINIA   by Gayle Trent

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious." - Albert Einstein

You might expect the oldest town west of the Blue Ridge Mountains to be home to a ghost or two. Camberley's Martha Washington Inn has the most famous ghost-in-residence, Beth.

The inn was built in 1832 as a private residence for General Francis Preston and his wife Sarah. When General Preston died, the house became a young ladies' finishing school called Martha Washington College. During the Civil War, the school was utilized as a hospital. It was during that time that a student named Beth fell in love with John Stoves.

John Stoves was an injured soldier interred at the hospital. Beth nursed John, but her tender ministrations failed to restore his health. She played her violin for him as he died, hoping to at least ease his transition from this world into the next. A few weeks later, Beth died from complications of typhoid fever. Employees and visitors to the inn believe Beth still plays the violin in Room 403 on occasion. A security guard once claimed to have seen her running through the dining room.

I've never spent the night at the Martha Washington Inn, but it's a beautiful place. When you walk in, you feel swept back in time to another era...a more genteel place. Once I was there when a tour group was visiting and an elderly woman was playing the grand piano in the parlor. By making herself at home, she made everyone else feel at home, too.

No ghost-sightings at the inn? Then wet your whistle at The Tavern, built in 1779. During the past two centuries, the tavern has served as a bakery, post office, general store and barber shop. Today, the tavern is once again being used in its original capacity as a tavern. In its early years, the building served as a tavern and overnight lodging for stagecoach travelers. The tavern welcomed such guests as Henry Clay, President Andrew Jackson, and Pierre Charles L'Enfant, the designer of Washington, D.C.

It's whispered that in the wee hours of the morning a mysterious light can be seen shining in the second floor of the tavern. However, the amount of "spirits" ingested in order to see the mysterious light has not been discussed. I've never seen a mysterious light in the Tavern, but I have enjoyed some wonderful conversation. I was fortunate enough to be invited to a cast party after a production of "On the Third Day." I had a great time talking with the actors and learning about their lives.

If it's a crafty ghost you seek, try the Cave House (so named for the cave located directly beneath the building). The structure was built in 1858 by Adam Hickman as a wedding present for his daughter. Today, the Cave House is home to The Holston Mountain Arts and Crafts Co-op and serves to display and market Appalachian crafts. It's said the Cave House is haunted by three women who once lived there. Maybe they like the lovingly decorated crafts, or maybe they simply like all the nice people who come to visit.

Perhaps you're in the mood for a bit of drama. You'll find it at the Barter Theater. The Barter Theater, known as "The State Theater of Virginia," was founded during the Depression by Robert Porterfield. Theatergoers bartered food for tickets. The Barter Theater launched the careers of Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, and Ernest Borgnine, just to name a few. The theater has productions from February through December on two stages, with special productions during the Virginia Highlands Festival. Some cast and crew members believe the late Robert Porterfield still returns now and then to watch a play or to admire the renovations made to his theater. I've ushered at the theater and enjoyed some terrific productions.

MORE TO SEE:

Virginia Highlands Festival: If you visit Abingdon during the summer, don't miss this two-week event which takes place in late July/early August. The festival features crafts displays, demonstrations, and cultural events.

Morgan McClure Motorsports Museum: If you're a NASCAR fan, you'll want to visit this museum, home to three-time Daytona 500 champions. The museum features race cars, race exhibits and souvenirs.

Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail: The "Creeper Trail" is a 34-mile scenic railroad bed that has been converted into a hiking and riding facility.

About the Author

Gayle Trent is a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. Visit her at http://www.gayletrent.com. If you're interested in becoming a writer, please visit Gayle's site http://gayle24202.tripod.com/teleseminarsandclasses.