Does mansion have life in a ghostly manor?

Do you see ghosts? Do you believe spirits of Civil War soldiers and their families are wandering through Bristow? Spend some time in Bristow Manor and you might.

In the mid-1800s, however, there was no manor. Amid what used to be farmland operated a Civil War hospital camp. Nurses with their children tended to the injured and dying.

The 1900s brought in a new era. Records indicate that J. Wilmer or Martin L. Welfley built the impressive Colonial Revival style home. At that time, the manor was simply called Welfley. The surroundings suggested those of a gentleman's farm which included 438 acres.

According to Kathy Martin, visitor services specialist for the Prince William County/Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Welfleys conveyed the property to George Strother in 1911.

Strother was referenced as living in the Fauquier County town of Markham when he sold the property to Edgar Bocock of Washington in 1931. Mrs. Bocock owned the property until 1975.

Many Washingtonians owned summer and weekend estates in the country at that time, and it is thought that the Bococks used the estate for that purpose.

But what haunts the manor? According to general manager Dave Ahart, reports of slamming doors, footsteps in the attic, elusive light-switches and ghost sightings have plagued some employees since 2002—so much so that the popular series "Ghost Hunters" requested to investigate and produce an episode on the manor. Wanting to avoid film crews and interlopers, Ahart declined, but the stories remained.

Ahart heard the first story in 2002 when a seasonal greenskeeper (identified only as "Charlie") spent nights in the manor as part of his compensation. One evening, upon completing his final rounds, Charlie looked out at the adjacent pond. There, he saw a woman and child, both in flowing white gowns, walking hand in hand across the fields. That was the last night Charlie would spend onsite. He refused to enter the manor again.

A few years later in 2007, food and beverage manager "Jimmy" stayed late to close. He was alone. Walking into a dark room, he searched for the light switch. He couldn't find it. Suddenly, he heard footsteps and doors closing.

After running out of the manor, Jimmy called Ahart. "Everything is moving!" he said. I hear feet walk-ing! I'm out of here! You're going to have to deal with it in the morning!"

"He was terrified," Ahart recalled.

When asked if he believed the stories, Ahart said, "The problem is, I don't believe in ghosts. That's my issue."

But he added, "I wouldn't sleep here."

Ahart then admitted, "I believe there is something going on here, but I don't know what it is."

Annette B. Armitage, catering sales director, said, "I'm one of the only employees here who hasn't heard or seen anything." She has stayed in the manor at least until midnight after functions.

Annie Maxson, events coordinator, explained how she deals with the hauntings. "I pacify myself by saying I won't believe it until I see it." But she said she doesn't want to be alone in the manor at night.

The footsteps and ghosts have not deterred the hundreds of couples who celebrate their weddings in the manor. The building boasts original walls and flooring, elaborate woodwork, elegant chandeliers and antique décor that harken back to a more gilded age.

Bristow Manor won the 2009 Bride's Choice award from Wedding Wire. Among other events, the Manor hosts celebrations open to the public on Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.

Check out Bristow Manor yourself at http://www.bristowmanorgc.com. And be sure to contact the News & Messenger if you experience the paranormal.

This is the sixth in a series of articles on Western Prince William County's historic sites.