mobanmarketBRENTSVILLE, VA — Prince William County is immersed in the Halloween spirit. This weekend, guides from the county parks system will lead guests on a haunted history trail through historic Brentsville.
Tours will start every 20 minutes on Saturday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The tour will last about an hour.
Brentsville was Prince William County’s original county seat when it opened in 1822. It still houses the original courthouse and jail.
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“For over 200 years, the town was the site of trials and triumphs. From trials, war, and murder to depression, pranks and more,” the event posting says. “The spirits of Brentsville have awakened and are eager to meet you. Participants will want to watch their backs as they take a walk through Brentsville’s most terrifying moments in history complete with ghost stories and surprises.”
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Paige Gibbons Backus is the site manager for the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre & Lucasville School. She spoke with Patch about what visitors can expected during the spooky tour as they encounter the “scandalous” stories from the area’s history.
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“We are taking the history of Brentsville Courthouse Historic Center and we’re finding new and engaging ways to bring that history to the public,” Gibbons Backus said. “As visitors walk through the haunted history trail, they will encounter living histories that will highlight some of these different periods from the Civil War to some of the court cases, some of the people who were imprisoned here, as well as some of our darker stories that we have here in Brentsville.”
Gibbons Backus noted that she hasn’t seen any ghosts herself, but there have been many spectral sighting recorded throughout the area’s history. She also noted that visitors will be able to sit around a campfire with guides, eat s’mores and ask questions about the area’s history.
The tour is suitable for anyone who is 13 years old or older. There will be some effects and some material that is not appropriate for younger children.
“Halloween is always a great time for our historic sites to engage audience in new and exciting ways,” Gibbons Backus said. “We’re really excited to be able to offer this type of programming to residents and visitors and those who have an interest in history and want to experience that in an exciting way.”
Tickets for the tour cost $15 and can be purchased online or by calling 703-365-7895.
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