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Moore House Yorktown

Moore House Yorktown paranormal

Photo by: Marianne Donley
Location submitted by: sdonley on 07/03/2025
DBA Approved: Y


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228 Nelson Rd
Yorktown, VA 23690
Open to the public: Yes

https://www.nps.gov/york/learn/hist...

Lat: 37.221556
Lon: -76.483987

PANICd#: 2210

Publication date: 07/27/2025

Visited by PANICd

Last visited: 06/25/2025

The Moore House is a historic building located within Colonial National Historical Park, in York County, Virginia.

Database Summary:

Demographic Rank: 0
History: 1
Stories: 1
Claims: 9
Evidence: 0
Resources: 4
Retrievals: 528
Vistor Rating: 0.0
Votes: 0

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History

History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.


The Moore House in Yorktown, Virginia, holds a significant place in American history as the site where the terms of British surrender were negotiated at the end of the Siege of Yorktown in 1781. Built in the early 18th century by Lawrence Smith II, the home later came into the possession of Augustine Moore, a prominent local planter. It was strategically located near the British and American lines during the final stages of the Revolutionary War, making it a neutral and convenient meeting point for both sides.

In October 1781, General George Washington and his allied American and French forces had successfully besieged the British army under General Charles Cornwallis. With Cornwallis unable to escape or receive reinforcements, his situation became dire. On October 17, a white flag was raised from the British lines, and two days later, on October 19, representatives from both sides met at the Moore House to draft the terms of surrender. The formal documents were completed and signed there, making the house the backdrop for one of the most pivotal moments in the Revolutionary War.

The surrender at Yorktown marked the effective end of the Revolutionary War, as it led to the start of peace negotiations and eventually the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Although the Moore family had been temporarily displaced due to the war, their home went down in history as the location where the American colonies secured their independence. The house itself suffered damage during the siege but survived and continued to be a local landmark.

During the Civil War, the house again found itself near conflict as Union and Confederate forces maneuvered through the Yorktown Peninsula. Though not as central to that war, the house’s historical significance made it a point of interest for soldiers and historians alike. Over the years, the property fell into disrepair, but its importance in the nation’s founding ensured efforts would eventually be made to preserve it.

In the 20th century, the Moore House was restored by the National Park Service to its 1781 appearance and incorporated into the Colonial National Historical Park. It now stands as a preserved symbol of diplomacy, resolution, and the turning point in America’s fight for independence. Visitors today can tour the house and learn about the historic negotiations that helped birth a nation.

Added by: sdonley on 07/27/2025 DB#:787
Source(s):
Various


Stories & Folklore

Stories & Folklore are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location and passed down from generation to generation. This section could also contain research notes as well.


The Moore House in Yorktown, Virginia, is best known for its role in American history, but it has also become a subject of interest for paranormal investigators and ghost enthusiasts. Given its connection to the Revolutionary War and the dramatic surrender that took place there, many believe the emotional energy of those events left a spiritual imprint. Visitors and staff have reported strange occurrences that suggest the house may be more than just a historic site—it may also be haunted.

One of the most common claims involves the sound of unseen footsteps echoing through the upstairs hallway, especially late at night when the house is quiet. These heavy steps seem to mimic the pacing of someone deep in thought or stress, leading some to believe they could be the lingering presence of a soldier or officer involved in the surrender negotiations. There have also been reports of doors opening and closing on their own, even when no one else is in the building.

Some visitors claim to have seen shadowy figures in period clothing move past the windows or appear briefly in the corners of rooms before vanishing. These apparitions are often silent and fleeting, yet vivid enough to startle those who encounter them. Paranormal teams using thermal and EMF equipment have recorded spikes in activity in areas where these sightings have occurred, especially in the parlor and near the fireplace.

Others report a chilling drop in temperature in certain parts of the house, accompanied by an intense feeling of being watched. A few have even described hearing hushed voices in an 18th-century dialect, whispering phrases like “terms” and “honor,” as if the room were still occupied by ghosts replaying their final negotiations. These auditory experiences tend to happen in the same room where the surrender documents were finalized.

Despite its peaceful setting today, the Moore House seems to carry echoes of its turbulent past. Whether these manifestations are residual hauntings or intelligent spirits tied to the momentous events of 1781, many who visit walk away with the sense that history is still very much alive within its walls. The house remains not only a symbol of national reconciliation but also a quiet mystery wrapped in whispers from the past.

Added by: sdonley on 07/27/2025 DB#: 1749
Source(s): Various


Paranormal Claims

Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, please contact PANICd.com, and we will review and add your information.


Claim # Added Added By Claim
4095 07/27/2025 sdonley Unseen footsteps are heard in the upstairs hallway.
4096 07/27/2025 sdonley Doors open and close on their own with no one present.
4097 07/27/2025 sdonley Shadowy figures in period clothing appear and vanish.
4098 07/27/2025 sdonley Apparitions are seen through windows and in room corners.
4099 07/27/2025 sdonley Cold spots are felt in specific areas of the house.
4100 07/27/2025 sdonley Visitors report the sensation of being intensely watched.
4101 07/27/2025 sdonley Whispering voices are heard in 18th-century dialect.
4102 07/27/2025 sdonley Phrases like “terms” and “honor” are spoken with no source.
4103 07/27/2025 sdonley Paranormal equipment detects activity near the parlor and fireplace.

Additional Resources

This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.


Wikipedia Entry
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley
Wikipedia entry for this location.
The Moore House (U.S. National Park Service)
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley
NPS page for this location.
Moore House – Haunted Houses
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley
Spirit manifestations started after the National Park Service’s restoration efforts. A battle erupted here, killing not only a farmer but a town lookie-lou.
Discover the Historic Moore House: A Glimpse into Revolutionary America
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley
Explore the historic Moore House in Yorktown, Virginia, where the American Revolutionary War reached a turning point with Cornwallis' surrender.

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