Berkeley Plantation, located in Charles City County, Virginia (adjacent to James City County), is one of the most historically significant and haunted plantations in the state. As the ancestral home of the Harrison family, Berkeley Plantation is rich in American history, particularly for its connections to Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the United States.

Berkeley Plantation is also famously known as the site of the first official Thanksgiving in 1619. However, despite its grand history, Berkeley Plantation is also associated with several ghost stories. From the spirits of Civil War soldiers to spectral figures from the plantation’s past, the plantation has earned a reputation as a site where the past lingers in more than just history.

The Ghost of Benjamin Harrison IV

One of the most famous ghost stories associated with Berkeley Plantation is the spirit of Benjamin Harrison IV, who built the mansion in 1726. Harrison was a prominent colonial figure, and his family’s deep ties to Virginia’s history have been well-documented. Tragically, Harrison and his wife died in 1745 when they were struck by lightning inside the mansion. Their deaths left a deep mark on the plantation, and many believe that Harrison’s spirit still roams the halls of his beloved home.

Visitors and staff at the plantation have reported seeing a tall man in colonial clothing wandering the house or standing near the river. Some believe this figure is Benjamin Harrison IV, continuing to watch over the estate. Witnesses often describe the apparition as peaceful, though his presence adds to the sense that history is always close at hand at Berkeley.

Civil War Hauntings

Berkeley Plantation also played a role during the Civil War, when Union General George McClellan used the estate as a headquarters during the Peninsula Campaign in 1862. The Union Army camped on the grounds for months, and the plantation saw its fair share of military activity. As with many historic sites touched by war, Berkeley has its own tales of Civil War ghosts.

One of the most common reports involves the sounds of phantom cannon fire or musket shots heard in the distance, particularly at night. Visitors have claimed to hear the sounds of soldiers marching or the faint noise of battle, even though the plantation grounds are now quiet. Some have also reported seeing the apparitions of soldiers near the riverbanks or along the plantation’s grounds, dressed in Union uniforms and appearing as if they are preparing for battle.

These spectral figures are often seen around Harrison’s Landing, where the Union Army docked its boats during the war. The soldiers’ ghosts seem to be carrying on their duties long after the war ended.

The Haunted Music Room

Another famous haunting at Berkeley Plantation takes place in the mansion’s music room. According to legend, the sound of a harpsichord or piano can often be heard late at night, even though there is no one in the room. The eerie music is said to drift through the house, particularly when the estate is quiet.

Some believe the music is tied to the Harrison family, as members of the family were known to play music in the home’s grand rooms during the plantation’s peak years. The music is often described as faint but recognizable, adding to the atmosphere of the mansion’s historic charm.

The Spectral Servant

Berkeley Plantation also has reports of a ghostly servant who appears in the mansion’s corridors. Dressed in 18th-century clothing, this spirit has been seen by visitors and staff moving through the house, carrying out tasks silently. While the identity of this spirit is unknown, some believe the ghost may have been a loyal servant to the Harrison family, continuing to serve in death as they did in life.

Unlike the other spirits said to haunt Berkeley, the spectral servant is often described as fleeting—appearing briefly before disappearing into thin air. However, the frequent sightings of this figure have added to Berkeley Plantation’s reputation as a place where history remains alive, and where even the spirits of those who lived and worked on the estate have never truly left.

Conclusion

Berkeley Plantation is a place where American history and the paranormal seem to intersect. From the ghost of Benjamin Harrison IV to the spectral figures of Civil War soldiers and loyal servants, the plantation’s storied past is reflected in the numerous reports of hauntings. As one of the oldest and most historically significant plantations in Virginia, Berkeley’s ghosts serve as a reminder that the past, though distant, is never far away.