Welcome to Secret Virginia, a new website dedicated to all things curious, strange, out of the ordinary, and sometimes even scary in Virginia, West Virginia, and the Mid-Atlantic region.

I’ve always been fascinated by Virginia’s history and, when I moved here in 2019, couldn’t wait for the opportunity to explore its mysterious places. The photographer in me wants to document and share these places, many of which are in danger of being erased forever.

As an Illinois native, I’ve been writing about forgotten history and places, folklore and ghost lore for nearly two decades. In 2011, Quixote Press published my collection of short ghost stories set in Virginia called Shades of Gray. I had no idea at the time I would one day call this state home.

Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is over and lockdowns lifted, I’m eager to continue my travels and share what I find. Look forward to weekly updates with everything from articles, to interviews, photos, videos, curiosities, interesting quotes, and even a limited-edition podcast in the fall.