It’s been a few years since I’ve shared this video on Halloween. But I may have some new followers who haven’t seen it. The video was one segment in the series, Halloween Haunts, produced by WHRO, our local PBS station, in 2007. The series aired during the last two weeks of October that year.
The video, whose link I share below, was filmed at historic Bacon’s Castle (1665), located in Surry County, less than twenty miles from where Motor Man and I now live. My maternal grandparents and their twelve children (including my mom) lived in the house from 1921 to 1940. Although they moved from there many years before I was born, I remember them sharing stories of seeing “The Castle Light”. Their descriptions of it, however, were quite different from its depiction in Halloween Haunts.
And, just for the record, Bacon’s Castle is the oldest (1665) datable, English-built brick dwelling still standing in the U.S. I don’t think it gets nearly the notoriety it deserves.
My son, Marshall, became an interpreter (guide) at Bacon’s Castle in 2000. He was employed there several years, and gained a wealth of knowledge about the history of the house, its architecture and the families who made it their home. My mom and most of her siblings had passed on by this time. But two of those who were still living (then in their 80’s) visited the Castle, and shared first-hand with Marshall their childhood memories of the house and property.
The above photo was found in the house when Mom and her family moved there. Her youngest sister, Sarah, loaned it to me to scan many years ago.
I know my mom and her family would think it fitting that Marshall had the opportunity to participate in this video filmed at their homeplace.
And this mom is very proud of her son for adding this to his “Castle’ experiences.
Happy Halloween!
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 