My grandparents raised twelve children, including my mom, at Bacon’s Castle during the 1920’s and 1930’s. One of the twelve was born there, one was married there. One accidentally shot off the tip of his finger at Bacon’s Castle. Another lost the vision in one of his eyes after falling on a cotton stalk.
They endured countless illnesses, they worked hard and they played hard. And they loved each other through it all.
My family represents just a few of the people who made their home in that beautiful house in its nearly 350 year history.
I know these things are true:
1.) Tourism in our area, as in many others, has been dealt a hard blow by the economy.
2.) A 300+ year old house requires a lot of maintenance, which, in turn, requires a lot of money.
3.) Preservation Virginia, the owners of Bacon’s Castle, are exhausting every means to keep the house open to the public and in good repair.
But.
This saddens me.
This is a current article in our local weekly paper. The article is continued on another page and states that the “spirit hunters” used dousing rods in their search. They also used a flashlight method, where the head of the flashlight is unscrewed, and the switch is placed in the “on” position, so there’s just a slight connection. The flashlight glows, which “allows the spirit to manipulate the light more easily and use it to answer questions”.
In my Christian heart, I believe that, upon one’s death, the spirit doesn’t remain here on earth. That being said, I also believe that unexplainable things happen. And although I’ve never witnessed anything like that, I was with Marshall one day at Bacon’s Castle when he did. I wrote about it here.
But allowing people (albeit people who paid an admission fee, which benefits Preservation Virginia) inside Bacon’s Castle to search for spirits seems disrespectful and insulting to all those dear folks who have called that place home through the years. And, to me, it degrades the dignity of the structure itself.
Every time I step foot on Bacon’s Castle soil, I sense the presence of my grandparents, my aunts, uncles and my Mom.
With not a dousing rod nor flashlight in sight.
these days of mine 
I am also saddened by this. This is a grand old home, with much honorable history to be preserved. It should not be remembered for the publicity seekers, or the sensationalists.
I read this article and immediately thought of you. I totally agree with you and think it does represent some disrespect. I sometimes think there are people out there that just have too much time on their hands. I always look forward to your profound and uplifting stories on the history of such an historical place.
♪There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place, and I know that it’s the spirit of the Lord. There are sweet expressions on each face and I know that it’s the presence of the Lord.” We sing this often on Sunday at church without looking for, or thinking to look for spirits of another kind. I know you sense the presence of your family at Bacon’s Castle.
I would be saddened by this too had it been a part of my family’s history but even if it wasn’t, a beautiful old home which had sheltered many families through its’ history should not be used for “sensationalist” purposes. Surely it deserves more dignity than the so-called spirit hunters gave it for the sake of some publicity. You expressed the sense of “inappropriate invasion” so well….as always.
Pam
These ghost hunter shows have been all the rage on TV. I never thought much about them and a lot of times they go to old prisons or hospitals, etc. I agree that it’s a bit much to “hunt” in an old residence. The only up side is that maybe it will peak people’s interest in visiting it again.
I don’t know of a single incident when the so-called ‘spirit hunters’ or ‘ghost hunters’ have proven anything. But then some people will do anything for money.
The Castle has survived many things and has survived this with her dignity intact.
It does seem sad but let’s pray for a silver lining…that it brings more tourism to the Castle. I may have a Polly Anna attitude here but I don’t think it detracts from the dignity of the Castle of the wonderful people that once lived there.
Bravo … very well written. & I’m proud to say I was one of the folks who made it “problematic” for these groups to enter the property. I’ve seen horror movies. I helped construct a haunted house at school one year for Harvest Festival. One of the coolest things at Coleman’s Nursery back in the day was their haunted house.
Bacon’s Castle is not haunted. Not like that. If, however, you know some of the history – if you consider the people who lived there as you walk through, would that not be a “haunting” ?? But one of the researchers doesn’t even slow down long enough to read the history on these properties? Sad.
I feel saddened by what they are doing in the Castle. I would feel the same way you do if my family had lived there. The only positive I can see is that perhaps this will bring enough money in to help with the upkeep of the castle. But, there must be a better way!
Sorry to read this article, Dianna.
We who were raised in Surry know what a wonderful house the castle was and is. No one knows that any better than you and your family Dianna. Some people can not feel or care what a truly treasure Bacons Castle is.
Oh, I’m with you on this one – disrespectful and sensationalism all wrapped up in one. There has to be a much better way of raising money to maintain and preserve this fine historical house. It makes me sad too!