New movie mixes history and ghost lore

Take a good historical look at the Civil War as experienced in the Mountain Empire. Now, sprinkle in a few ghost stories.

What results is neither an episode of “Ghost Hunters” nor a dry rendition of historical fact, but - in the director’s own words - a film where “lore and legend mingle with fact, and the past reaches out to the present.”

In other words, “Some Say This Place is Haunted,” a new documentary by Jerry Sword, of Abingdon, is a historical look at events in the region, as told through ghost stories.

“I’ve always had a love of history, and a love of ghost stories,” he said. “I think I’ve found a pretty good marriage of the two.”

And those stories, said Grace Phipps, who stars as a “ghost” in the film, are important to preserve.

“These stories and this history need to be brought to life because it’s important to our culture,” she said. “It’s bringing our community together and sharing stuff that people don’t really think about anymore.”

The film features four locations in the region – the former David King house in Bristol, Tenn., the area surrounding the Battles of Saltville, Edmondson Hall in Meadowview, Va., and Sinking Springs Cemetery in Abingdon. Local historians Bud Phillips and Rob Salyer lend their knowledge to the film, discussing both the historical context of each location and also what they’ve heard about supernatural beings there.

In one, the story about the David King family, Phillips recounts tales of how David King III’s mother saw his ghost at their home, Cedar Hill, on the day that he died in combat in Mississippi – hundreds of miles away. More than 100 years later, renters are said to have heard furniture moving in the home, as though the young King’s spirit was still around.

“These stories are … a part of the region,” Sword said. “David King III is real. Is his ghost still out at Cedar Hill? I don’t know. I do believe the stories and the lore are a very important part of the culture here and they need to be carried on.”

The movie took about two years to make, Sword said. His team of producers helped find the locations and the people, he said, and was instrumental in the filmmaking process. He started editing the footage in early September, and wrapped up in mid-December.

“Through the course of editing, I’ve watched this thing a thousand times and I could sit and watch it again,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s because I love the stories or the people on camera, but I had fun and I can’t wait to do it again.”

Sword said he hopes the film will be a tourism draw in Abingdon and Washington County, Va., and inspire other historical and ghost legends to surface.

“What I’m looking for with this film…is community involvement, as well as state and federal interest,” he said, adding that he thinks the film could generate tourism dollars in the county.

Ultimately, he’d like to see it air on public television.

“That would be rewarding to me, to have it broadcast in the region it’s about and I’m from,” he said.

Sword said he thinks the film does a good job of featuring the local community.

“The common thread in this region is how many people are proud of the history and know it well,” he said. “I’m amazed at how very much alive and well the Civil War is in this region.”

And, watching the film begs the question: Does Sword believe in ghosts?

He wouldn’t say. But he did say the stories and legends have intrinsic value.

“There’s something to be learned from ghost stories,” he said, “whether you believe in ghost stories or not.”

arobinson@bristolnews.com
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