What was once the largest and most lavish home in colonial Virginia stands today in ruins. All that survives of the previous estate is the brickwork, wine cellar, and a few chimneys, and yet it still evokes a haunting majesty in those that stand before it.
The Rosewell ruins have been stabilized, but nature is ever-present in its attempt to reclaim the land. Vegetation licks at the brickwork while rain and wind assault the remaining structure — and yet, still, the bones endure.
Read on to revel in the former glory of this once-opulent home and learn of this former plantation’s darker periods in history. Hoping to hear more haunted tales of Virginia history in bodily form? Book one of our Williamsburg Ghost Tours to engage with some of the Burg’s spookiest stories.
Is Rosewell Plantation Haunted?
One of Virginia’s eeriest plantations, the ruins of Rosewell remain a site of frequent otherworldly sightings. In its heyday, the grand mansion hosted many balls and festive celebrations, some of which were so impressive that traces of them can still be heard today in the dark hours of the night.
Specters are said to guide the way by lantern light, ushering in guests to the ghostly gathering. Most spooky of all is the specter of a woman seen walking down a now-invisible staircase night after night.
Built by One of the First Families of Virginia
Construction began on the Rosewell Plantation in 1725 under the guidance of Mann Page, building the massive structure on Carter’s Creek. Crafted to supersede the Governor’s Palace across the York River, this breathtaking 12,000-square-foot home would become known as one of the most grandiose in colonial Virginia.
Here, the Page family would continue to live for about a century, during which time John Page, grandson to Mann Page, attended William and Mary College alongside Thomas Jefferson. On its grounds, a 3,000-acre tobacco plantation operated, making use of the rich soil of Gloucester.
Stretching from the Colonial Era up until the Civil War, slaves worked the land of Rosewell, laboring in the fields and the home. After the Civil War, they worked for pay.
However, Mann Page would not live to see the home’s completion. He died in 1730, and construction on his mansion was not finished until 1737, supervised by his son Mann Page II.
In 1765, Mann Page II left the home under the care of his son, John Page, and his wife, Frances Burwell Page, who renovated the mansion in 1771. But its grandeur was not to last.
In 1837, the home left the hands of the Mann family, seeing multiple owners over the next 80 years. Finally, in 1916, a monstrous fire engulfed the estate, leaving only ruins in its wake.
What can be seen today is simply the skeleton of this once-great home. Four chimneys remain, along with the east wall and its magnificent head window, several immense walls that hint at the vastness of the former estate, and a wine cellar.
Rosewell was donated to the Gloucester Historical Society in 1979. Today, the Rosewell Foundation remains dedicated to preserving the ruins, maintaining this portion of Virginia’s history.
Ghostly Partygoers and Spectral Sounds
Although rumored to be where an early version of the Declaration of Independence was drafted, Rosewell wasn’t a site of business alone. Extravagant parties and dances were held within its grand rooms, entertaining a variety of renowned guests late into the night.
According to several accounts, traces of these parties still permeate the night, with music sometimes heard about the ruins. At times, some can suss out a violin or harpsichord, drifting as if through time itself. Others have claimed to spy the specters of guests descending the entranceway, lit by ghostly lantern holders.
Its most famous spirit, a strange female apparition, spends every night walking down the steps of Rosewell’s former front entrance as if by clockwork.
However, some who walk the ruins have experienced traces of its darker past. According to records, at least 111 enslaved people were documented at the plantation, with at least 68 listed at the end of the Civil War.
Many believe the spirits of these slaves still linger, tied to the property by the pain they experienced there. Some witnesses have reported the sounds of such laborers still toiling in the fields.
Rumors have also surfaced of cruel treatment towards the plantation slaves, with stories alleging some were buried within the cellar. One tale in particular details a slave who attempted to escape the plantation whilst a party was underway. Upon being captured, he was locked in the cellar while the party continued, his fate to be decided in the morning.
As the night continued, violent sounds came from the cellar: breaking glasses and yells. Ignoring the sounds, it is said that they discovered the man dead the next day, lying amongst the broken bottles with no apparent cause of death. His specter is said to linger on the grounds as well.
Page Family Ghosts
The ghosts of former Page family members are believed to haunt the desolate ruins of their former home. It seems the Pages were not immune to death despite their wealth.
Several died quite young in the Page family, including one of Mann Page II’s children, Tayloe Page, who died at no older than five. Similarly, John and Francis Page lost three of their nine children before they reached adulthood.
A female apparition has been sighted by some wandering the grounds of the former plantation, clothed in a flowing dress. Many believe her to be one of the Page women, given her attire.
According to accounts, she is sighted occasionally at dusk, sometimes in the early evening, moving soundlessly amongst the remnants of the once grand home.
Some believe this to be the ghost of Alice Page, wife to Mann Page II. Those who’ve observed her report her expression to be somber while sometimes experiencing an overwhelming sensation of melancholy.
Others have experienced more frightening occurrences. One band of friends decided to visit the ruins around 2 a.m. when they were startled by a terrifying crashing—described as a sound of roaring and cracking. Later, they realized these were likely the same sounds the building produced as it blazed away some 100 years ago.
Still, more visitors to the site have spied strange orbs and unexplained lights. Some glow faintly and disappear, while others have seen red orbs that rose from the ruins.
Another account involves a strange 1930s black car blocking the driveway. Within the rear window was a pale woman with black hair, staring with an unblinking gaze. Fearful, the witnesses fled and upon returning the next day, said they found no tire tracks in the dirt.
Haunted Williamsburg
You can visit the Rosewell ruins in Gloucester from April through October, taking in the 360-degree view of the majestic skeleton that remains along the York River. Just 100 yards away sits a visitor center with a gift shop and museum. Inside, several exhibits bring the lives of its former residents to life. Also featured are many artifacts unearthed on the grounds.
While what is left of the Rosewell Plantation lies 30 miles from Williamsburg, the Burg holds many of its own haunted attractions as featured on our blog. Looking to raise your hair and chill your bones in person? Book a ghost tour with Williamsburg Ghost Tours to experience all the spooky tales this historic city has to offer.
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Sources:
- https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/virginia/spooky-plantations-in-virginia
- http://www.rosewell.org/history.html
- http://www.rosewell.org/plantation-life—slavery.html
- http://www.rosewell.org/history2.html
- https://www.southerngothicmedia.com/the-rosewell-plantation
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-ruins-of-rosewell-plantation-gloucester-courthouse-virginia
- https://virginiaparanormal.blogspot.com/2015/05/rosewell-plantation-ruins-in-gloucester.html
- https://encyclopediastrange.com/2024/10/13/the-ghost-of-rosewell-plantation/
- https://americanaristocracy.com/people/tayloe-page-1755-1760
- https://americanaristocracy.com/people/john-page-1743-1808
- https://www.virginiahauntedhouses.com/real-haunt/rosewell-plantation.html
- https://gloucesterva.gov/tourism/blog/the-rosewell-ruins