Chatham Manor — Attraction in Fredericksburg

We originally took away 2 stars for this location since you are only permitted to see three rooms on the main floor due to renovations, and there were no rangers or docents that even cared to speak with us. We walked in the building, were told you could only go into three rooms, and were handed a paper about the location. This experience was quite different from the many other locations we have visited, which are all managed by the National Park Service.

HOWEVER...

Let a couple with a passion for history and the paranormal wander the grounds of a historical site with paranormal claims without any supervision. You can almost guarantee what will happen next. That's right, we conducted a spirit box session out on the grounds where there are two unmarked graves.

Sorry, National Park Service, we know all too well that you frown upon those who are interested in the paranormal. That's ok, though; we earned those two stars back for you.

BTW, Marianne got a great kick (no sarcasm here) out of the dead turtle left on the driveway. She loved it.

Our Haunted Travels will soon release a blog...

The landscape and historical location did not reflect the information that I personally researched. For a place that is open to the public it does not populate when searching for NPS National Park Services. The tree that sits right outside of the backyard entrance with the view of the oldest church in Fredericksburg was a great land mark to reference locations on a map opposed to a gps. I noticed that the local Fredericksburg walking/business map with marketing advertising did not have any information or a symbol in the legend to locate it. The most spectacular experience I’ve had standing on that hill facing the church, I was able to visually identify, locate and establish my location, direction and distance without any electronic gps. Basic land navigation, terrain association and my pace count allowed me to personally get a first hand look of how history will always repeat its self. Historians are artists who research after the fact.

Looking forward to adding this information to my list of did that-ima get me a...

Want to know more about the history of Fredericksburg and the Civil War? Well, this is the place. Mostly ignored because, to be honest, I don't think a lot of people know it is just across the river from Frederickburgs. Of course, Washington visited here - he visits everywhere - and during the Civil War the union army occupied it and artillery was placed to watch over the town.It ended up becoming a hospital for the wounded after the First Battle of Fredericksburg. Walking around the grounds, and gardens, are free. The manor contains some exhibits and, last I was there, was also free. As many parts of the grounds (and building) have been restored from different periods it is a wonderful mixture of...