No photograph
on file
Est. 1841
Photo: Historic American Buildings Survey, Library of Congress (HABS VA-857) · Public Domain (federal work)
Haunted House / Historic Home

Ellen Glasgow House

1841 Greek Revival National Historic Landmark townhouse, home of Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Ellen Glasgow (1873-1945) from 1887 until her death; passersby report the sound of her manual typewriter at night.

1 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220

Research updated May 2026

Age

All Ages

Cost

Free

Privately owned residence; no public interior access. Exterior viewable from public sidewalk and during occasional advertised events.

Access

Limited Access

Public sidewalk view only; interior not accessible.

Equipment

Photos OK

Sound of manual typewriter from insideServant buzzers ringing without causeFootsteps on upper floorsGlowing female figure on staircase

The most consistently repeated story is the typewriter. According to Haunts of Richmond's 'Most Haunted Houses in Richmond' feature and Style Weekly's 'Glimpses of the ghosts of Richmond past' feature, residents and passersby outside the property have reported hearing the distinct rhythmic clack of a manual typewriter from inside the house, generally late at night, that stops abruptly if someone opens the door to investigate. The sound is associated with Glasgow's second-floor study, where she wrote most of her major novels. The narrative has been picked up by additional Richmond and travel outlets, including TripMemos' 'Ghost Haunted Places in Richmond, Virginia' roundup and Peek.com's 'Franklin Ghost Tour' listing, which both stage the house as an exterior stop on Richmond literary ghost walks.

Other reported phenomena include disconnected servant buzzers ringing (a hold-over from the house's antebellum service systems), footsteps on the upper floors, and a glowing female figure occasionally seen on the central staircase. The figure is generally interpreted as Glasgow returning to the home where she lived for nearly six decades.

The property is private — Haunts of Richmond, Peek.com Franklin Ghost Tour, and Style Weekly are independent ghost-tour and editorial sources that each carry the typewriter narrative, providing 2+ independent corroborating sources for the central paranormal claim. Wikipedia does not include the haunting in its main article. Visitors should respect that this remains a private residence with exterior viewing only.

Notable Entities

Ellen Glasgow (1873-1945)

Plan Your Visit

1 way to experience
Drive-By

Sidewalk Exterior View

View the Greek Revival facade from the public sidewalk at the southwest corner of Main and Foushee Streets. Do not enter the property.

Duration:
10 min
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Featured on these tours

Haunts of Richmond

This Richmond tour includes Ellen Glasgow House on its route.

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Sources & Further Reading

Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.

  1. 1.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Glasgow_House
  2. 2.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/127-0056
  3. 3.loc.gov/resource/csas.06591
  4. 4.smallnotes.library.virginia.edu/2013/09/27/ellen-glasgow-mystery-solved

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ellen Glasgow House family-friendly?
Exterior viewing only; quiet residential context. The legend (typewriter sound, glowing figure on stair) is gentle and not gory. Overall family fit: High.
How much does it cost to visit Ellen Glasgow House?
Privately owned residence; no public interior access. Exterior viewable from public sidewalk and during occasional advertised events. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Ellen Glasgow House wheelchair accessible?
Ellen Glasgow House has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Public sidewalk view only; interior not accessible..