DESCRIPTION

The Moore House Museum is a two story, 1730 Colonial style home, which is operated as a house museum. It does a good job showing what life was like in the 18th century. Replica era furniture of the time can be found on display in the rooms.

Stepping through the front door is like stepping into the 18th century. A tour guide, dressed in 18th century attire, will guide you through the museum.

It was sturdily made in the first place, and must have been well taken care of over the years, even surviving a shell exploding in its living room during the Civil War battle which took place here. When the smoke cleared, the home was still upright! Even more amazing, when abandoned for 15 years or so, it was in good enough shape to be renovated.

As I couldn’t find any information about what the interior looks like, I can guess the general outlay. In the style of colonial homes, the central hallway, starting at the front door, runs straight through to the back door. The interior staircase to the second floor is at the back of the first floor. Common rooms are on the first floor, while the bedrooms are on the second.

There are usually four rooms located off the main hallway: At least one parlor, the dining room and probably a large entertainment room, with the kitchen in a separate building. The second floor has its bedrooms and probably a work room off the central hallway as well.

HISTORY

The land where the Moore House now sits became part of a land grant in the 1630s, “patented” by Governor John Harvey, and named “York Plantation.” A hundred years later, in 1730, a family home was built by Lawrence Smith II, who owned this 500 acre plantation which he called “Temple Farm.” In 1754, this farm was inherited by Lawrence Smith’s son, Robert, who was the third generation of Smiths to work on this farm.

Unfortunately, Robert ran into financial difficulty in 1760, and was forced to sell the family’s 500 acre estate to his brother-in-law, Augustine Moore, a man who was a successful merchant. He moved his wife and only son into the plantation home to be a gentleman farmer, which was a popular thing to do in Virginia as well as other places in the South.

It was a beautiful location, far enough out of Yorktown, yet within riding/walking distance. It seemed like a great idea at the time. He didn’t know that this property would be involved in two wars, one which would affect his family personally. The Revolutionary War came to Yorktown, but this home wasn’t near the major fighting.

While the farm wasn’t in any of the direct battles, Augustine Moore’s twenty year old son, Augustine Moore Jr. was fatally shot while working the fields.

While he lost his only son, Augustine Moore did have the honor of having the British sign the surrender conditions at his home, a momentous occasion which later saved this home from the ravages of decay 100 years in the future.

During the Revolutionary War, The Moore House and farm was the spot picked by British Commander Cornwallis to sign The Articles of Capitulation to end the Revolutionary War on October 19th, 1781.

After the death of both Augustine and his wife Lucy in 1797, the home and farm passed into the hands of Hugh Nelson. Throughout the first half of the 19th century this home and property passed through the hands of many owners. The Smith family lived here from 1830–1860. When the war broke out, the Smith family moved to a safer location.

During the 1862 Peninsula Campaign of the Civil War, the Moore House wasn’t so lucky. It was situated between the Union forces on Wormley Creek, and the Confederate front lines in Yorktown, which would be any homeowner’s nightmare!

While no one in the family who lived here was silly enough to stick around, the house suffered considerable damage from flying shell fire, a little off their mark. To add insult to injury, foraging soldiers in search of firewood helped themselves to the wood siding and other usable wood which would be easy to carry away.

After the end of the Civil War, the now woebegone Moore House sat abandoned, being unlivable. However, in 1881, in preparation for the 100 year anniversary celebration of the end of the Revolutionary War, the house was repaired and renovated so that visiting dignitaries could actually sleep in the place where the British signed “The Articles of Capitulation.”

The National Park Service, between 1931 and 1934, restored the Moore House to its original colonial appearance, after first establishing the Colonial National Monument.

Archaeology and historic images were important tools used by the National Park service to authentically undertake such a restoration project, the first one they had ever attempted. The newly restored Moore House was dedicated as a museum on October 18-19, 1934, which was the 153rd anniversary of the surrender of Cornwallis and his British army at this very site.

HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS

The sudden, unexpected death of a person, can their spirit restless, and not ready to die just yet. They stick around to try to continue life in spirit form.

Pittsburgh Theatre, PA (John Johns was a popular actor with a large and loyal following. He was attending a banquet in the restaurant in the basement when he suddenly had a fatal heart attack. His spirit stayed and continued to be involved however he could).

Boulder Theater and Cafe, CO (During the 1920s, it was called The Curran Theatre, and George Paper was the manager who loved his job. He died suddenly from a freak accident while he was trying to fix a ceiling light. He refused to accept his death, and continued on as a spectral owner/manager, giving himself new responsibilities).

Liberty Hall, KY (When her niece Margarette Brown lost a daughter to disease, Margaret Varick took a trip by coach from New York to come and help her. Being frail herself, the trip was very physically taxing. Soon after arriving, Margaret died of a heart attack. Her frustrated spirit is still determined to help the living when she can).

The Moore House Museum, VA (Augustine Moore Jr. was shot by a stray bullet when he was working the family fields during the Revolutionary War. His spirit still wants to continue to live on the family farm, finding new jobs to do, as well as his old ones).

People who die in an accident that could’ve been avoided if common sense was present, often want to continue the best they can as spirits. They can either fume because it was avoidable, or just not dwell on the mistake made.

The Fort Worden Guard House, WA (Apparently, a former guard is still performing his duties, while still fuming about accidentally shooting himself while cleaning his gun).

The Willamette Heritage Center, OR (A workman was killed in the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill because of a preventable mistake, probably by a fellow worker. His spirit is still extremely angry, and he lets the living feel his anger and pain suffered).

The USS Livingston, TX (A Chief Petty Officer on board The USS Lexington C16 who wasn’t thinking, backed up inadvertently into a propeller. He is angry at himself, and won’t cross over, and incensed as he goes about his old duties).

The Moore House Museum, VA (A local merchant John Turner, who lived in Yorktown thought it was safe to watch the shelling of the British Army in Yorktown, just days before they surrendered. He probably knew it was dangerous, but that he would be careful and it wouldn’t happen to him. Right! He was wounded as a result of the shelling and died in his wife’s arms, as his wife helplessly watched. There was nothing she could do to save him).

Suffering the trauma of a loved one dying can cause the traumatized survivor to be restless as a spirit, seeking their lost loved one.

Chapel of the Cross, MS (In 1857, the daughter of Mrs. Margaret Johnson, Helen was in love and engaged to be married to Henry Vick, who was killed in a duel just a few days before the wedding. Helen spent hours at his grave, crying, talking to his grave stone. She finally was able to cope, after a trip to Europe, and later married a minister. The spirits of Helen and Henry found each other in the graveyard, and some peace).

Pagoda on Five Mile Drive, WA (After witnessing the fatal accident of his wife, a grieving husband acted rashly, ending his own life. As a spirit, he searches for her spirit, but can’t find her).

Edgewood Bed and Breakfast, VA (The Spirit of a young woman still grieves for her beloved, who was killed in the Civil War, and still waits for him to return to her).

The Moore House Museum, VA (The wife of merchant John Turner saw her husband fatally shot, and held him in her arms as he died. This trauma haunted her until she died herself. She was buried next to her husband, and their spirits found each other. They started their afterlives together by moving into the house, with son Augustine Jr.’s blessing).

The spirits of people who die near structures may decide to move inside them and call it home. The chances are higher if a family graveyard is present.

Grapevine Farms, NY (The spirits of two former owners who are buried nearby like to reside here and keep an eye on its earthly activities. Other spirits from their family keep them company).

Hammond Castle, MA (The body of Jack Hammond Jr., the builder of Hammond Castle, was buried in his front yard, very close to his favorite place).

Kolb Court Development, GA (Spirits of soldiers who died in the Kolb Farm skirmish during the Civil War, moved into the new homes built close to where they died).

The Moore House Museum, VA (John Turner’s and his wife’s remains are buried in the Moore House family 1730–1800s graveyard, along with, possibly, the Smith, Moore and Nelson clans. As the graveyard is close, spirits can easily move inside).

When properties are restored to their original condition and decor, spirits who are attached to them may feel safe enough to be themselves.

Hartford Twain House Museum, CT (After their forever home was fully restored, the spirits of Mark Twain and his family and servants gladly moved back inside).

The Makens Bemont House, CT (When this historical House was moved to the historical park, spirits of families who lived there were reactivated, and tried to help with the restoration process, and were pleased with the museum of their lives on display).

The Duff Green Mansion Bed and Breakfast, MS (After this grand structure was restored to its original glory, members of the Duff Green family all moved inside to be together while they worked through their restlessness).

The Moore House Museum, VA (The manifestations of the spirits started making their appearances after the National Park Service fully restored the home to its 18th century decor and style).

MANIFESTATIONS

PARANORMAL FINDINGS

Staff members and visitors have all had paranormal experiences.

While paranormal investigators have not been allowed inside to try to catch hard evidence, psychic individuals have felt presences, seen apparitions at the window, and sensed the feelings of some of the quiet spirits.

STILL HAUNTED?

Yes Indeed!

To make up for dying so young, the spirit of Augustine Moore Junior is residing in his family’s home, perhaps with John Turner and his wife or other family spirits are keeping him company. As at least one spirit is still grieving and doesn’t want the company of the living, I think it is John or his wife.

Perhaps the partial reason why the home is closed to tours, besides the road closures, may be because some spirits need the space to grieve, working through their persons for being there.

LOCATION

Yorktown Battlefield
Yorktown, Virginia 23690
(757) 898-3400

The Moore House Museum can be found on the Yorktown Battlefield, on Moore Lane and Hamilton Road, about 1.5 miles from the Yorktown Visitors Center, on route 238. There is a small park entrance fee, payable at the Visitors Center.

SOURCES INCLUDE

• https://www.nps.gov/york/learn/historyculture/moore-house.htm
• https://wejunket.com/junkets/Yorktown/Ghosts_Of_Yorktown_Untold/The_Moore_House/
• nps.gov
• kimshockey.com
• planetware.com
• HAUNTED HOLIDAYS
  Edited by Laura Foreman
  Discovery Communications, Inc. – 1999
• HAUNTED PLACES: The National Directory
  by Dennis William Hauk
  Penguin group – 2002

Our Haunted Paranormal Stories are Written by Julie Carr

Our Photos are copyrighted by Tom Carr

Visit the memorable… Milwaukee Haunted Hotel

Your Road Trip to Milwaukee’s Hot Spots

VIDEOS TO VISIT…

The Moore House Yorktown, va