History and Hauntings: Blue Ball Inn Comes to Life at Samuels Public Library

A spooky October event is coming to Samuels Public Library, and it’s full of history, mystery, and a few friendly ghosts. On Monday, October 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., the library will host a special presentation on the haunted Blue Ball Inn, a real historical site in nearby Brucetown, Virginia, just outside of Winchester.

The historic Blue Ball Inn in Brewstown, Virginia, dates back to 1747—and comes with centuries of stories, legends, and ghostly encounters. Once known as Widow Littler’s Tavern, the inn now draws visitors for its haunted history tours, paranormal investigations, and ongoing archaeological digs—photo courtesy of Blue Ball Inn.

The event, organized by FOSL (Friends of Samuels Library), is free and open to the public. Robbie Campbell, the lead administrator of the inn, will share the story of this fascinating and eerie place.

A House Older Than America

The Blue Ball Inn was built in 1747, before the town of Winchester even existed. It was originally constructed by the Littler family, a well-known Quaker family in the area. The Littlers were part of a larger network of innkeepers who used a blue fishing lure (or “blue ball”) on the porch to signal that there were no rooms available—a clever version of a “No Vacancy” sign.

Locally, it became known as Widow Littler’s Tavern after the death of Mary Littler’s husband before construction was finished. Although there are no written records, many locals believe that George Washington himself may have stayed there during his travels to Winchester.

Today, the Blue Ball Inn is much more than just an old house—it’s a living time capsule. And some say it’s home to a few spirits from the past.

Haunted… but Friendly

During recent renovations, strange things began happening: pennies showing up on freshly cleaned floors, voices with no one around, and unexplained noises. Campbell shared that paranormal investigators have visited the inn, and some believe the spirits are actually happy that people are back in the home.

“The ghosts love having visitors again,” Campbell explained. “They’ve been waiting to host people for over 200 years.”

The inn now offers monthly guided paranormal investigations, private rentals for ghost-hunting teams, and haunted history tours throughout October. “It’s a little spooky,” Campbell admitted, “but more in a fun, curious way than scary.”

They also offer Appalachian arts classes, including basket weaving, rug making, and even tea leaf reading—a nod to both the region’s culture and the inn’s mysterious vibe.

What You’ll See at the Library Event

The October 13 event at the library will feature a full multimedia presentation. Guests will learn about the history of the inn, the ghost stories connected to the building, and even see real evidence from paranormal investigations—like recordings, video clips, and photos. They’ll also see photos of artifacts discovered during archaeological digs on the property, including:

• Civil War-era coins and pipe tips
• Children’s toys from the 1800s
• A German “miracle tonic” bottle once used to claim hair restoration
• British currency from the 1700s

Much of the house still features original construction, including horsehair plaster and hand-hewn boards in the attic, complete with old Roman numerals used in early building techniques.

“It’s a beautiful, preserved piece of history,” Campbell said. “We’re still learning new things every time we peel back a layer of wallpaper or lift a floorboard.”

And for those hoping to get an up-close look, Campbell hinted that they may bring along one of their most talked-about artifacts: a haunted doll named Macmillan. “We haven’t decided yet,” he said with a smile. “But maybe. You’ll have to come see for yourself.”

A Free Program with Spooky Fun

Kathy Hulley, the FOSL program coordinator, says the event is perfect for October. “We like to do something a little spooky this time of year, but still family-friendly and rooted in real history,” she said. “This is both.”

While the event is free, donations to the Friends of Samuels Library (FOSL) are always welcome. FOSL helps support library programming, book sales, and events like this one.

If You Go:

📅 Date: Monday, October 13, 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00 – 7:45 p.m.
📍 Location: Samuels Public Library, Front Royal
💰 Cost: Free (Donations to FOSL welcome)
🎤 Featuring: Robbie Campbell and Tava of the Blue Ball Inn
🕯️ Learn about local haunted history, view real artifacts, and hear stories from paranormal investigations!