The Eternal Public House
Chowning's Tavern stands as one of Colonial Williamsburg's most authentic and actively haunted establishments. Originally opened by Josiah Chowning in 1766 as an alehouse catering to the 'middling sort,' this tavern has never truly closed - at least not for its ghostly patrons who continue their colonial carousing centuries after their deaths. While the building serves modern visitors historically accurate meals and colonial beverages, it simultaneously hosts a parallel tavern where phantom patriots debate revolution, spectral merchants close deals that will never complete, and ghostly gamblers play cards with stakes they can no longer collect.
Three Centuries of Service
The Revolutionary Meeting Place
During the lead-up to the Revolution, Chowning's basement served as a clandestine meeting spot for patriots. Plans were hatched, intelligence shared, and oaths sworn in the flickering candlelight below ground. Several conspirators were later hanged for treason, their spirits returning to the last place they felt free. These revolutionary ghosts still meet, unaware their cause was won.
The Plague Years
Multiple epidemics swept through Williamsburg, and Chowning's inadvertently became a disease vector as infected travelers mingled with locals. Many died after visiting the tavern, their last memories being of warmth and companionship. These plague victims return seeking the comfort they found here, manifesting as cold spots and the smell of sickness.
The Civil War Occupation
During the Civil War, both Union and Confederate forces used the tavern, sometimes within days of each other. At least three soldiers died in drunken brawls here, their bodies hastily buried in the garden. These enemy combatants continue their fights, with staff reporting sounds of struggle and finding furniture mysteriously damaged.
The Tavern's Eternal Patrons
Josiah Chowning
The original proprietor still tends his establishment, appearing as a portly gentleman in colonial dress checking on guests' satisfaction. Staff report seeing him counting invisible money, inspecting ale barrels that aren't there, and greeting customers by name - even those he's never met. His spirit seems pleased the tavern continues, though confused by modern payment methods.
The Gambling Gentleman
A well-dressed colonial man haunts the back room, eternally playing cards. Witnesses see cards shuffling themselves, dice rolling without hands, and chips moving across tables. He's been known to invite living guests to join his game, though winners report their winnings vanish by morning. The sound of his distinctive laugh echoes after closing.
Little Lucy
A young serving girl who died of smallpox in 1772 continues her duties. She appears as a child of about 12, carrying phantom tankards and plates. Guests report feeling tugs on their sleeves and hearing a young voice ask 'What'll ye have?' Lucy seems particularly active during the Gambols evening programs, perhaps drawn by the period music.
The Redcoat
A British soldier from the Revolutionary period haunts the basement where he was allegedly murdered by patriots. His heavy boots echo on the stairs, and staff refuse to go to the basement alone. He appears in full uniform, sometimes bloodstained, searching for his killers who are long dead themselves.
Documented Phenomena
The Basement Vortex
The basement serves as a paranormal hotspot where multiple time periods overlap. Staff report seeing colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil War era figures simultaneously. The temperature drops 20-30 degrees without explanation, and electromagnetic equipment goes haywire. Some employees refuse basement duty after experiencing aggressive paranormal encounters.
The Musical Manifestations
During evening Gambols programs featuring period music, phantom musicians join in. Invisible fiddles harmonize with living performers, spectral voices join drinking songs, and sometimes entirely different music from the 1700s plays when modern musicians pause. These musical ghosts seem happy, creating a joyful if eerie atmosphere.
The Tankard Phenomena
Pewter tankards move on their own, filled glasses empty without being touched, and the sound of toasts echo from empty rooms. Some guests report their drinks tasting different than ordered - receiving ale when they ordered wine, or finding their modern beer tastes of colonial-era brew.
Dining with the Past
Chowning's Tavern operates daily as part of Colonial Williamsburg, serving period-appropriate meals and hosting evening Gambols programs. The staff, dressed in colonial attire, are well-aware of their ghostly colleagues and can share stories if asked discretely. The evening Gambols program offers the best chance for paranormal encounters. As musicians play 18th-century tunes and guests participate in period games, the veil between centuries thins. Many report seeing extra people in colonial dress who vanish when looked at directly. For the full haunted experience, request a table in the back room (where the gambling gentleman plays) or near the basement stairs (where the Redcoat walks). Order ale - the ghosts seem more active around those drinking period-appropriate beverages. And if you feel a tug on your sleeve or hear a young voice, that's just Lucy making sure you're properly served. Whether you come for history or hauntings, Chowning's delivers both with colonial hospitality that transcends death itself.
