Shirley Plantation
Virginia, VA 23030
A great deal of history can be found at the Shirley Plantation, which is the oldest family-owned business in the United States. The first house built on its grounds dates back to 1613, which may make it the oldest standing home in the US. Another house, built in the mid 18th century, is said to house a haunted painting in its second floor bedroom.
The painting is a portrait of Aunt Pratt which hung on the wall for years before being stored in the attic in 1858. As soon as the painting had been put away strange knocking sounds started emanating from the attic, increasing in intensity every day. Eventually the family put the painting back on its wall and the knocking stopped.
Over a century later the portrait was shipped to a 1974 conference on paranormal phenomena hosted in New York City. While on display, the painting began shaking violently in front of viewers and, when locked up at night, it somehow managed to escape its storage container. It was found the next morning facing toward the exit. Once the portrait was shipped back to Virginia and returned to its home on the wall the strange behavior ceased.
Photo Gallery
Nearby Real Haunts
-
Appomattox Manor
2.7 miles away
-
Edgewood Plantation
3.9 miles away
-
Parker's Battery
7.7 miles away
-
Central State Hospital
14.2 miles away
-
Edgar Allan Poe Museum
15.9 miles away
-
The Virginia Executive Mansion
16.5 miles away
-
Reviews
I visited with family in 2004. While everyone was listening to the guide telling the story of the painting, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I actually screamed because there wasn't anyone standing close to me. So I don't know about the painting being haunted, but the house sure is!
December 2023
| Would Recommend | Yes |
The feeling of being in the house is nothing compared to feeling in the cellar slash basement. Even coming to this house the fog in the morning is enough to turn around.
October 2021
| Would Recommend | Yes |
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Was just wondering if you meant "another house" as in, another house that was built on the same property? That statement threw me all off because I thought you started to talk about another house that wasn't the Shirley Plantation... Or was you? Is the picture still on the wall at whichever property you are talking about?
February 2021
| Would Recommend | Unsure |
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Share Your Experience
Get More Info
Haunt Owners
| Visitors to This Page: | 0 |
| Clicks to Attraction Website: | 0 |
| Last Edit to Your Listing: | Dec 22, 2015 |
All information on this page was submitted to Long Island Haunted Houses and was believed to be accurate at the time it was posted. Please report any inaccuracies here.