The Exchange Hotel and Civil War Medical Museum has a spooky past, one that is on display this Halloween.
The hotel was built in 1860 and became a stopping place for passengers traveling by rail. Two years later, it became part of the Gordonsville Receiving Hospital, welcoming more than 23,000 sick and wounded soldiers in less than a year. By the end of the Civil War, more than 70,000 had been treated at the facility with more than 700 buried on-site. The hospital continued operation as a Freedman’s Bureau Hospital until the railroad boomed and it once again became a hotel. In 1971, the property was acquired by Historic Gordonsville, Inc. and it became a museum. But perhaps not every guest left.
The hotel has a long, well-documented paranormal pedigree. Visitors have reported apparitions, sounds and temperature changes. A former cook, Anna, might be frying chicken in the kitchen while nurses are still checking on their patients. Paranormal investigators have hosted overnight tours and for several years, the grounds played host to a paranormal convention. In 1997, A&E and the History Channel listed the hotel as 15th on its Top 100 Most Haunted Places in America list.
For Halloween, the hotel is paying homage to its spookier history by lighting up Goosebumps style. The children’s book series by R.L. Stine features various stories of young teens finding themselves in frightening scenarios with the supernatural. For the week of Halloween, the Exchange Hotel has been lit with glowing pink windows and a green cast on the exterior. On Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. children 17 years of age and younger who visit dressed in costume will receive a free tour with the purchase of an adult admission ticket. Candy will be handed out. Guests are also invited to share their photos of the lit hotel by tagging “The Exchange Hotel and Civil War Medical Museum” on Facebook.
Nearby at the Gordonsville Visitor’s Center children can help hunt down the Gordonsville Gorgon. The creature has been reportedly stealing candy around town. Children can help in the hunt by stopping by anytime between 5-8 p.m. Halloween night.
Trick or treating in the Town of Gordonsville will be held 5-8 p.m.
In addition, the Town of Orange will host its annual Downtown Trick or Treat featuring local businesses Friday, Oct. 30, 4-6 p.m. Costumes encouraged. Enjoy participating businesses along West and East Main Street, Short Street and in Taylor Park.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office will host its annual Trick or Trunk Oct. 30, 6-8 p.m. in the back parking lot of Madison County High School.
Following the Halloween fun will be the end of daylight saving time. Clocks fall back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.
