Chris, our Guide for this evening, is in period dress and carrying a lantern. Just hearing him speak gives you confidence that this is going to be an evening full of fun "Ghost" stories and we hope possible sightings of the spirits that inhabit the places that we are going to visit.
The first stop on the Ghostly journey is the Hermitage Hotel. We gather around to hear about the three Ghosts that call the Hotel home. The stories include a crying baby (room 9-12), the Lady In White (dating from 1911) and the Southern Belle that is seen on the first two floors only. All of these stories told have been cross-referenced and verified.
Second Stop on the tour is the Tennessee State Capitol Building. The Capitol is stately by daylight but by night it is magnificent but very spooky. Who would guess that the State Building hosts some very imposing spirits? Folks that were passing on the street and driving by in their cars have sighted Rachel Jackson, wife of President Andrew Jackson. She is reported to be walking back and forth in the tower.
I really enjoyed the story about William Strickland and Samuel Morgan. The two men were, bitter enemies. William Strickland and Samuel Morgan are entombed inside the building. Both of these men were instrumental in the construction of the Capitol Building. Both men are carrying on their feud to this day. There are to many Ghostly inhabitants in and around the Capitol Building to mention them all but the stories are all colorful. Also, imagine my surprise to find President James Polk and his wife entombed in the garden.
Our Guide leads us to the third stop, St Mary's Church, the oldest standing Church in Nashville. This church is rich in a Ghostly story involving a member of the Clergy, the Civil War and Church Bells that ring during times they are not suppose to.
The fourth and next to last stop was in Printer's Alley at what was known as The Rainbow Room. I found this to be the least interesting stop but it most likely because of the traffic and the music from the clubs on that piece of the tour. I will say, though, that when I stepped into the entry way to the Rainbow Room that it felt eerie.
Last stop, the historic Ryman Theater. This was really interesting and enjoyable hearing the story about Tom Ryman and Sam Jones and how the Ryman actually got the name it carries today. Tom Ryman is said to still be in the Theater making sure that the shows are of a moral nature. Lots of heckling has been attributed to Tom Ryman, in his Ghostly form. Especially when he has felt the moral values that he had come to live by had been breached.
The Ryman became the home of the Grand Ole Opry in 1943 and remained so till it moved in 1974. It is said that Patsy Cline and Hank Williams, Sr. still have strong ties to the Ryman and that there have been reports of them being seen in the Theater. Hank Williams, Sr. has also been reported as being seen sitting at the bar at Tootsies.
I had high hopes of getting pictures that would show paranormal activity but sadly the spirits were not restless the night that I took the tour or perhaps I was not in tune enough for them to show themselves. Could have it been that I was just too interested in the Ghostly sightings and stories that our guide was sharing with us?
There are so many stories that I would like to share with you. Stories about folks having hands placed on their shoulders, someone sitting on the side of a bed, the bells ringing, the printers that come on but no one is using them, sightings of a lady in period dress that had joined parties and etc. Sadly, to tell these stories here would ruin the tour for you. I would highly recommend that each of you take the tour and hear the Ghostly happenings for yourself. Perhaps the spirits will be out the night you visit.
Remember reservations are required to be made ahead of time for any of the Nashville Ghosts Tours and you can either make them online at www.nashvilleghosttours.com or over the phone at 615-884-3999.
Nashville Ghost Tours & Information:
- Nashville Ghost Tour - Haunted Walking Tour leaves nightly at 8 PM. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children 7 - 11.
- Haunted Tavern Tour - Adults 21 and up that takes guests through haunted bars and pubs in the downtown area. Guests can take advantage of drink specials while they enjoy ghost stories and compete in haunted trivia. The tour leaves nightly at 6 PM and lasts for about 2 hours. Tickets are $15.
- Hearse Tour - Guests can ride in open-air seats fitted into the back of a real hearse with the driver narrating ghost stories while passengers sightsee, visiting notable landmarks in the Nashville area. Tours leave nightly at 8 PM and 9:30 PM, and last about an hour each. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children 7 - 11 (we recommend that children be over 6 to join this tour). Passengers can be picked up from any hotel in the downtown Nashville area.
Article Written & Submitted by Joyce Clark
