THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 27, 1994 TAG: 9410290410
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COVER STORY
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 165 lines
THE GHOSTS haunting historic Fort Norfolk may not be as frightening as Freddy Krueger, but this weekend they'll be rattling their chains along with the rest of the Halloween spooks.
And the public is invited Saturday night to come and watch the ghoulish gathering.
In a 45-minute walking tour through the fort's dungeon, across the parade grounds and into the guard house and magazine, visitors will encounter a dozen or so apparitions from different historic periods. The ghosts will materialize to tell stories about the fort. Some will even engage visitors in conversations:
An Army deserter sentenced to death for treason in 1812 will plead for his life.
The fort's obnoxious squatter, Lemuel Fentress, who is credited with saving the historic landmark, will attempt to chase the visitors off the property.
Dr. David Minton Wright, a Norfolk physician who cared for victims during the city's 1855 Yellow Fever epidemic, will inspect visitors for symptoms of the deadly disease while taking a break from manning the fort's cistern. During the epidemic, the cistern was rumored to be the city's only source of uncontaminated water.
Two Norfolk politicians will debate whether Virginia should secede from the Union just four days before the state does.
As they load gunpowder, Confederate soldiers will tell how Virginians gained possession of the fort for the South at the beginning of the Civil War.
Members of a Confederate artillery crew from 1861 will sit around a campfire and talk of living at the fort and of the ``remote'' possibilities that the Federals will capture it. Nearby, other crew members will fire the cannon during artillery practice.
Under the watch of Union guards, Confederate prisoners will ask for help in getting letters to their loved ones in Norfolk. Federal forces took over the fort in 1862 after the Confederates abandoned it during the burning of Norfolk.
``If you like ghosts, think of it,'' noted Frank James, co-author of the program. ``The fort is right on the water; it'll be dark. If the wind's howling . . . it will be perfect.''
Actually an historic re-enactment, the program, titled ``The Ghosts of Fort Norfolk,'' is being billed by organizers as a ``living history'' that is an ``alternative to the blood and gore of most Halloween programs.''
``The whole idea is to draw people into the history of the fort by stepping back in time,'' explained Tony Zusman, James' co-author. ``It's got the Halloween theme, but this program really teaches kids about our history.''
The Fort Norfolk ``ghosts'' will be portrayed by historic re-enactors from the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues, the 3rd Virginia Infantry, the 6th Virginia Infantry and the First Virginia Battalion PACS. Dressed in uniforms and other period clothing, the re-enactors will depict actual characters who played a part in the fort's history from 1812 to the present. Both James and Zusman are re-enactors.
At the end of the tour, members of the Norfolk Historical Society will answer questions for visitors and tell about future renovation projects planned at the installation. Music and free apple cider also will be provided.
Although the program is free, visitors will be asked to make donations to go toward the fort's future renovation projects.
Located on the Elizabeth River at the end of Front Street, Fort Norfolk is considered the best preserved War of 1812 spot in America. A four-acre bastion of history, the fort has been designated a Virginia Historic Landmark and National Historic Attraction. In recent years, the Norfolk Historical Society, which oversees the fort, has begun public tours and programs. The society also plans to begin renovation soon.
Organizers of the Halloween program are expecting more than 100 people to attend the ghost walk, set for 6:30 to 9 p.m.
``Last year was the first time we presented the program, and the weather was pretty bad,'' James recalled. ``Still, we had about 75 to 100 people come out. We're hoping more will come this year.''
In addition to the Saturday evening program, living history activities will be held at the fort on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Drill and firing demonstrations, military competitions, tours of the fort, a period arts and crafts exhibit and re-enactments of military mail and pay calls, camp life and political rallies are planned. All are free and open to the public.
Members of the re-enact ment groups, including women and children, will camp at the fort all weekend.
``I'm into this to experience what the soldier really experienced,'' explained James, a 31-year-old Norfolk forklift operator who has been an historic re-enactor for 14 years. ``We're not here to glorify war; we're here to teach.
``I've always been fascinated with history. If you can't learn about history, things often turn out worse. A lot of people don't even know this fort exists . . . and you'd be surprised how many children don't understand the basics of the Civil War. We're trying to change that.
``Maybe this Halloween program will get them interested.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo illustration by GARY C. KNAPP
Re-enactors Brian Howard, left and Frank James will portray soldiers
from the past in a living history program, ``The Ghosts of Fort
Norfolk,'' on Saturday.
Photo illustration by GARY C. KNAPP
Frank James, in doorway, and Brian Howard, on roof, depict ghostly
guards at Fort Norfolk. James is co-author of the script that will
be performed Saturday at the historical re-enactment.
``Prisoner'' Frank James plays a mouth harp in his cell while Brian
Howard stands guard outside.
Graphics
ON THE COVER
The cover photo illustration, done by Gary C. Knapp using
manipulated negatives, shows Frank James on the floor, portraying
William Procter, a deserter who was executed at Fort Norfolk. The
guard is portrayed by Brian Howard. The setting is in the dungeon or
``The Black Hole,'' as it was called by the troops when the fort was
active.
AT A GLANCE
What: ``The Ghosts of Fort Norfolk.''
When: Walking tours begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Fort Norfolk, at the end of Front Street.
Information: 625-1720.
MORE CREEPY HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS
Those who want more horror, chills and gore in their Halloween
adventures than found at the Fort Norfolk ghost tour can check out
some of these other creepy Norfolk happenings:
The Vietnam Vets' annual Haunted Forest promises nightmarish
thrills aplenty as visitors take a 20-minute tram ride through 27
horror scenes at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Along the way,
thrill seekers will experience a 100-foot-long tunnel of terror, an
executioner with his next victim, a human sacrifice, Count Dracula,
pyrotechnic displays, and, new this year, a Beetlejuice Rock 'n'
Roll Revue.
Now in its fifth year, the Haunted Forest usually sells out
quickly, so, be advised, get your tickets early. Hours this weekend
are 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
Cost is $4.50 per person. Tickets are available at all Twin B Auto
Parts locations or call 498-2541.
Along the same lines as the Haunted Forest, the Norfolk Naval
Base's Department of Recreation is sponsoring Phantom Hallow, a
ghoulish hayride through realistic sets of horror. Costumed actors
will provide up-close, personal action along the way, so the faint
of heart, beware.
Held at Fleet Recreation Park off Hampton Boulevard, Phantom
Hollow will run tonight through Monday. Rides begin at dusk. Tickets
cost $3, but you must get them in advance. Call 445-9172.
The Norfolk Jaycees' Chamber of Horrors is sure to give even the
bravest trick-or-treater a spine tingler or two. Held at Southern
Shopping Center, the spook walk will be open this Friday through
Monday.
Hours are 6 to 11 p.m., except for Monday, when the chamber will
close at 10 p.m. Tickets are $3 for kids under 12, and $4 for
adults. Free candy will be given out Halloween night to
trick-or-treaters. Call 459-1023.
Joan C. Stanus
by CNB