Ritualistic Abandonment: A Farmhouse Left to Decay in Rural Virginia

Forgotten places hold untold stories with each abandoned home containing the memories of lives once lived. Simple homes and structures, like this one, captivate the minds of all with their quiet resilience against time.

A Looming modern mega structure stands on the hill above providing stark contrast to the dilapidated and forgotten farmhouse.

With the arrival of fall, the end of summer, and the beginnings of haunted halloween, we bring to you the farmhouse decaying in the hills of Virginia. Close to the feet of the world's oldest mountain range, it is no wonder why this area contains charm, appeal, and possibly ghosts.

Virginia is a natural beauty with deep-rooted charms to bear.

A photograph showcasing multiple doorways in an abandoned home in Virginia. — Through the doorways, a deep breath before entering the unknown.

Silent Stories of Abandonment: A Farmhouse in Rural Virginia

Derelict homes tell silent stories. photographs and mail are often littered through-out. Later comes theft and vandalization, all of which occurs under the eyes of those who lived and died in this region of the world.

Many people, myself included, find beauty in the decay of these mundane spaces. Intrigue brings the mystery surrounding these forgotten homes to the forefront of the mind. The peeling wallpaper, broken windows, and crumbling foundations all spark the imagination. People wonder about the families who once lived there and ponder the reasons for abandonment.

A bannister down the stairs of an abandoned building.

There is an argument to be made that photographing sites, even just simple old homes in the “middle of nowhere”, preserves history. This is because one day, they will be gone. Some new condos, apartments, or cookie-cutter housing sub-divisions will take their places. Images like these like this can document the passage of time.

The Impermanence of Human Existence

In one form or another we all turn to dust one day. Reminders of our mortality spew forth when watching something crumble over decades. These places can can evoke a sense of nostalgia, familiarity, or wonder. In these moments we can reflect on the impermanence of human existence. Spaces like this can encourage us to appreciate the present moment.

The basement of an abandoned building. — The basement leading to the outside.

Human Connections to Abandoned Places

The psychological perspective behind the human connection to abandoned places is very interesting. Our experiences shape our perceptions so, these forgotten structures could mirror our inner feelings. Obviously, this is not the case for everyone, sometimes we just like something because we like it.

However, people who've felt overlooked may resonate with abandoned homes. The silent, decaying buildings reflect their own sense of isolation. Forgotten places might offer a tangible representation of intangible emotions. This connection could explain why some individuals feel drawn to these sites. It's as if the buildings understand their pain, providing a silent companionship.

For others, maybe the desire comes in "fixing" it up. There are those who seek to fix things, people, problems even. At the end of the day, this was a beautiful home and now, in a very different way is still beautiful. This home is still standing as of October 2024.

An abandoned house almost consumed entirely by plants, trees, and greenery. — Almost consumed completely by the greenery.

Exploring these places might offer a form of catharsis, abandoned therapy perhaps? It could allow individuals to confront their feelings in a physical space. This process could potentially aid in healing emotional wounds. The act of photographing may serve as a way to reclaim forgotten stories, both of the buildings and the photo-taker themselves.

Finding solace in abandoned places isn’t a far-off stretch. In almost everything each of us does, there could be some form of self-reflection inside.

Peeling paint in a gutted kitchen of an abandoned farmhouse. — Cream and mint green walls with deep walnut colored counters and window trim.

Trespassing is Illegal

Something to keep in mind is that, exploring abandoned places poses serious risks. Structural instability can lead to injuries and hidden hazards lurk in these decaying buildings.

Trespassing is illegal, carrying potential legal consequences. Many abandoned properties are privately owned, despite appearances. Entering without permission violates laws and can lead to fines, arrests, and criminal records all resulting from a perceived innocent exploration.

A distant shot form the byway of the abandoned farmhouse in VA.

Safety concerns include exposure to toxic materials, unstable floors, debris, and collapsing roofs; with older homes having the potential to have asbestos or lead. Possible wildlife encounters with snakes, rodents, vultures, and other birds can add to the risks. Encountering squatters or illegal activities could also lead to dangerous confrontations. These factors make exploring abandoned places extremely risky.

Respecting private property laws is crucial, so the best bet would be to admire abandoned places from afar. Legal alternatives exist, such as guided tours of approved sites. Photography can be done ethically and without trespassing. Prioritizing personal safety with legal compliance ensures responsible exploration.

Spooky Times, Rituals, Halloween, and Abandoned Places

It is now the start of the -ber- seasons and Halloween will shortly follow. Although it is more than likely just the graffiti of youthful vandals, it should not be assumed that an abandoned place isn't used for more than that.

Broken glass and a witch's pentagram in red on an old wooden floor.

Echoes of Past Lives; Why Buildings are Abandoned

These images serve as reminders of our own mortality, of what once was. As always, we are still left wondering, why was this home abandoned? How did acres of cut trees reveal a large and now dilapidated home with a calendar on the floor dating to December of 2004. What led to the unequivocal rot, decay, and abandonment of a farmhouse in rural Virginia.

The most common reason for a home to be abandoned is that the owner can no longer afford to maintain the mortgage, property, upkeep, or all of the above. This follows suit with the most abandoned type of building being residential housing. Oftentimes the cost to renovate a dilapidated structure is more of a challenge than demolishing and rebuilding, even when it holds historical value.

Nearby there are a few more abandoned homes and even a junk lot filled with city buses. The Urbex scene (urban exploration) was pretty wild before the gentrification of the nearby downtown. Almost every building that is now a loft, restaurant, or boutique, was previously played in by the care free-teens and hooligans of the early noughties. The old houses are all that's really left of that time so long, yet not so long ago.