Meet ALL the residents – including the dead ones. Let Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington introduce you to them.
I am a ghost tour aficionado! I love ‘em.
There are good and bad ghost tours. Thankfully Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington ranks up among the best.
At the intersection of Market and Water Streets, a band of hearty souls and myself gathered to meet our guide - a tall man dressed all in black. After praising our courage and handing us stickers filled with “ghost repellent”, he mentioned the rules of the tour. Only one rule really – in case of a phantom encounter the guide would be running the tour. Running - being the operative word. So armed with humor and a little trepidation - we set off.
As a port city over four centuries old – Wilmington is chock full of spirits. Traipsing over cobblestones and across old asphalt we landed in the former Paradise Alley. Here where shady ladies plied sailors with their considerable charms Meg Galas ran the Blue Post tavern with a tight fist and a quirky taste in souvenirs. I won't spill the details, but earmuffs might have been a deterrent.
For the next 90 minutes we visited the past and heard her stories. Our guide was animated, filled with knowledge and always respectful of his ethereal friends.
By the dimly lit St. James graveyard tales of lost souls were intermingled with the origins of phrases like “saved by the bell” and “graveyard shift”. Be sure, when you go, to ask your guide why modern day coffins are rounded on top. The answer will keep you awake at night.
By a 19th century home the story turned to the original resident’s frequent ghostly appearances. He was described as tall, gaunt and always dressed in black. Suddenly, a nervous stirring spread among the group. The guide was describing himself. Were we meeting a specter? Relief came when the old dentist's habit of wearing a top hat was mentioned. Our guide wore a bowler.
Upon our farewells we were left with these words of wisdom.
“Speak well of everyone you know or they just might come back to haunt you.”
The tour company offers seven tours in total, including a pub tour – where spirits meet spirits.
For more information visit them at www.hauntedwilmington.com or call (910) 794-1866.
Icelandic Ghosts anyone?iceland-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/icelands_ghosts_have_a_home
