Salubria Manor
As the capital of Virginia during the colonial times, Williamsburg is a city frequently mentioned in American history books. Today, it joins Jamestown and Yorktown as a member of the Historic Triangle, a popular tourist destination known especially for its various living history museums and scenic drives. Farther up north lies the sleepy little community of Stevensburg, a town whose location on the margins of modernity warrant thrill seekers plenty of memorable frights – one of which being the infamous Salubria Manor.
Virginia’s place as one of the oldest states in America make most towns perfect for fear fans. For those looking to complement evening ghost hunts with daytime activities, Virginia’s got every terror taste covered. Virginia haunted houses are among the scariest locations, but there is plenty to discover in this historic state.
Looking to satisfy your creeptastic cravings? Book ghost tour through the haunted streets of Williamsburg and discover its spine-tingling legends as you visit several Virginia haunted houses and locations.
Why Is Salubria Manor Haunted?
Perhaps Mother Nature can be thanked for really stirring this historic Virginia haunted house’s spirits with a 2011 earthquake severely damaging the area. But abnormal incidences have been reported even earlier. Below is but a snippet from ghost hunter Darrin Scott Wilson disquieting 2002 investigations:
“The coin was placed here [at the east wall of Lady Spotswood’s bedroom] and audible remote microphone placed. Upon returning to this room, the coin was moved a full 3/16 – ½ inch. This was an amazing discovery, which visually disturbed one of the field investigators. Jim is analyzing the audio tape and I have video of the coin. Vibration is not an issue in this location. Mark captured what appears to be multi directional, intelligent, and structured orb movement in this exact location.”
And as the oldest brick house in Culpeper County, you can be sure that Salubria Manor has accumulated plenty of unsettled souls from its roster of deceased tenants.
Historic Culpeper County VA
The story of Stevensburg, Virginia cannot be told without mentioning the county it is part of. Culpeper County lies in a region whose earliest European inhabitants were German. The first of two waves of these immigrants arrived in 1714.
Most were German miners and their families; they were enticed by Virginia Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood to settle upon the land that the governor himself had previously purchased. Spotswood would later use his exceptional people skills when proposing The Treaty of Albany to the Iroquois Nations in 1721. The territory he planned and populated was aptly deemed the Germanna Colonies.
Orange County was eventually formed from these settlements in 1734, but was later split into smaller entities. Culpeper County being one of them. It was established in 1749 and was named after Thomas Colpeper, the second Baron Culpeper of Thoresway.
Colpeper’s wealth and royal pedigree helped him become the governor of Virginia in 1677, but his unimpressive administration prompted him to be removed in 1683. Famous figures with more favorable ties to Culpeper include a young George Washington (the county’s first official surveyor), Red Cross founder Clara Barton, Hall of Fame baseball player Eppa Rixey, and legendary explorer Daniel Boone (a resident of Stevensburg in the 1750s.)
Besides Boone’s old abode, two other Stevensburg sites afford a visit, though for very different reasons. Its post office, standing at about just ten feet by fifteen feet, is one of the smallest in the nation. Salubria Manor, a Georgian-style home which has Spotswood connections, is a hotbed for paranormal activity.
Salubria Manor
The Salubria Manor is a stately Georgian-style structure with romantic origins. At first resistant to Reverend John Thompson’s persistent attempts at courtship, the widow of Governor Alexander Spotswood, Butler Brayne Spotwood, finally succumbed to his efforts and accepted his hand in marriage in 1742.
It is believed that Salubria Manor was constructed by Thompson to celebrate both his beloved and his achievement. Besides the two newlyweds, other noteworthy tenants of the house include the Hansbrough family and Doctor Carl T. Grayson, the personal physician of President Wilson.
Salubria Manor – “Safe and Healthy”
When James Hansbrough purchased the property in 1802, he most definitely did not plan for his magnificent home to become a nexus of paranormal activity. In fact, the name that he gave it, salubria, ironically means “safe and healthy” in Latin.
To be sure, besides run-ins with ghosts, Salubria Manor has plenty more to offer. The Germanna Foundation received the Manor as a gift by Laura Grayson in 2000. Much of its original elements have been well preserved. Designed to mirror the structures of ancient Greece and the Italian Renaissance, mansions like Salubria were extremely popular among wealthy colonists during the 1800s.
Fashioned from a system of smoke-colored bricks arranged neatly in Flemish bond, Salubria Manor certainly fits this definition well. Other structural elements were designed with proportion well in mind: a small, central door hugged by two decorative columns; two tall chimneys flanking the house’s sides; nine front windows set equally distanced apart.
Encounters Between The Living And The Dead
Maybe that is why the dead are just so reluctant to leave. Ghostly apparitions of Lady Spotswood have been seen wandering the manor’s halls; the footsteps of her son Robert have been heard treading on the stairway.
In a ghostly encounter retold in Marguerite du Pont Lee’s book Virginia Ghosts, two young boys who lived at Salubria were asked to retrieve sugar from the barrel upstairs. In the dim light, they unsuspectingly walked upstairs. They were shocked to see the figure of a woman with jet black hair, dressed in white with outstretched arms. Because of the woman upstairs, they were far too frightened to get the sugar.
Many believe this to be Lady Spotswood. However, it could have also been Mrs. Hansbrough, who was believed to have hung herself in one of the manor’s bedrooms. However, with two cemeteries on the property and Lady Spotswood’s grave still missing, we can’t be certain which tortured female soul causes the most frights.
Should you dare witness these spirits first hand, Historic Germanna opens the gates of Salubria to ghost-enthusiasts alike during spooky season. You’ll learn all about the mysteries and legends on the Salubria After Dark experience. But be warned, the ghosts may follow you home!
Haunted Williamsburg
If the Salubria Manor has piqued your interest, Williamsburg is home to countless other locations steeped in rich history and even more spine-chilling drama along its haunted walking paths. With the city’s deep-rooted past and the intense emotions that have unfolded over time, many tours kick off at iconic sites, where the past feels as vivid as the present.
As you wander through Williamsburg, you’ll encounter lingering echoes of violent deaths, heartbreaking tragedies, and restless spirits that won’t find peace. These tours offer a fascinating look into the passions, secrets, and scandals that have shaped this historic town. From fiery duels to forbidden romances, the stories are both chilling and captivating.
Eager to uncover more of Williamsburg’s ghostly past? Explore our blog for even more eerie history and book your Williamsburg ghost tour to experience these spectral tales firsthand! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest ghostly updates and spine-tingling stories!
Our tour will take you on a leisurely stroll along the tree-lined cobbled streets of this beautiful and historic city. In around three-quarters of a mile on our standard tour, our entertaining and knowledgeable guide will regale you with stories of characterful spots in the Historic District of Williamsburg. For those with an appetite for the terrifying, our extended tour will take in an additional haunted locations.Book a Williamsburg Tour and see for yourself
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Sources
- https://www.virginia.org/plan-your-trip/trip-ideas/virginias-historic-triangle/
- https://archive.ph/20130123133322/http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2011/082011/08232011/1314155182fls
- https://centerpri.org/darrins-salubria-report/
- https://web.culpepercounty.gov/community/page/history-photo-gallery-0
- https://visitculpeperva.com/things-to-do/salubria-c-1757/
- http://germanna.org/salubria/
- https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/virginia/stevensburg-paranormal-small-town-va
- https://germanna.org/2024/09/13/salubria-after-dark-to-bring-tales-of-the-past-alive/