Rising Sun Tavern

Built around 1760 as a residence for Charles Washington, George Washington's youngest brother. It later became a tavern and stagecoach stop on the route between Richmond and Alexandria.

The Rising Sun Tavern's haunted history centers on John Frazer, a Continental Army officer who served during the American Revolution before purchasing what was then called the Golden Eagle Tavern in 1792. Frazer and his wife Elizabeth Fox Frazer had barely begun their new venture when tragedy struck—John died mysteriously in 1793 at just 35 years old while napping in an upstairs bedroom. The cause of his death remains unknown to this day. Elizabeth continued running the tavern alone after her husband's passing, and the establishment served travelers into the 1820s.

John Frazer's spirit never left the building he worked so hard to establish. Staff describe him as a mischievous prankster who delights in startling employees and visitors alike. His favorite tricks include manipulating lights, moving objects overnight, and opening doors when no one is nearby. He seems particularly drawn to candlesticks and other 18th-century items, perhaps yearning for the era he knew in life.

The most dramatic documented incident occurred when a curator was closing up one evening. She went upstairs, turned off the lights, and walked down—only to see them flick back on. After the third attempt, she snapped and yelled at the spirit to stop. John's response was immediate: he yanked the rug out from under her feet, sending her tumbling to the floor. Another memorable encounter involved two guides who watched in horror as postcards came flying out of the gift shop rack on their own. "They locked up and one never came back," according to museum records.

Frazer's antics extend to the female tour guides who dress as colonial "tavern wenches"—he's been known to lift their skirts as they give tours. In the 1960s, he allegedly threw a large standing candle holder down a flight of stairs during a gathering, narrowly missing attendees.

Culpeper Paranormal Investigations conducted two formal investigations at the tavern. Using voice-activated recorders, they captured what they believe is direct evidence of the haunting. When investigator Jayne Ramirez asked "Can you please tell us your name?" the recording captured a four-syllable response that sounded like "Elizabeth"—John's wife, who ran the tavern after his death. When repeatedly asked "Do you like having visitors?" in the common room, the EVP response was a definitive "No!"

Museum staff have learned to coexist with their spectral resident. They note that John becomes especially active around the anniversary of his death and during the holidays. When his pranks escalate, they simply talk to him directly, which "seems to placate him." The Rising Sun Tavern is consistently ranked among Virginia's most haunted locations and offers special "Gothic Ghosts" events featuring readings of early American ghost stories—including tales passed down about their very own John Frazer.