September 30th kicks off the 2011 season of haunted happenings at New Albany, Indiana’s historic Culbertson Mansion. Begun as a stop on the late, lamented Jaycees’ Ghost Run back in 1985, the Mansion’s haunt moved from the main house to the carriage house two years later and has continued to grow in popularity ever since. Over the years additional seasonal activities have been added to the calendar; from the haunted carriage house attraction to ghost tours of the Mansion itself, there are events to appeal to visitors of all ages.
The Mansion’s “Literally, A Haunted House” returns for its 27th year as a premiere area haunted attraction, amping up the scares with new scenes and new spooks. “Literally, A Haunted House” opens September 30th and runs Fridays and Saturdays in October. Tickets are $13.00 and sales start at 7:00 PM. There are no refunds for quitters.
Spooky storytelling, suitable for all ages, takes place on October 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30. Always popular, the sessions are limited to the first 50 people; the cost is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children under 12.
The Ghostly Happenings tours of the Mansion return for another season, taking place on Tuesdays and Thursdays in October beginning mid-month. Tours are limited to the first 16 people and last about an hour. Video, photography and sound recording are not allowed during the tours. Tickets are $15.00 and reservations are required; light refreshments are served at the end of the tour.
A special Victorian Tea with the Queen of Halloween will be held this year on October 9th at 2:00 PM. Fun for kids and adults alike, costumes are encouraged, and reservations are required. The cost is $15 for adults and $8.00 for children ages 3 to 12.
And finally, the Ghost Watch Undertaking sleepovers return for another season. For anyone serious about investigating the haunted legends surrounding the Mansion, the sleepovers afford a unique opportunity to roam the house from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. A candlelight dinner, ghost tour, scavenger hunt with prizes, and continental breakfast are included with the $100.00 admission price. Reservations and advance payment are required, and each event is limited to 13 people ages 18 and over. The sleepovers take place on September 24th and November 5th.
The Mansion’s haunted attractions are all volunteer-run, organized by the Friends of the Culbertson Mansion, and all proceeds go toward the continuing restoration of the 1869 Second Empire-style house. Historical tours of the property are also available–during daylight hours–Tuesday through Sunday from early April through mid-December and afford a rare glimpse of the affluent lifestyle of post-war America’s Gilded Age. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the Mansion at 812-944-9600 or visit http://www.hauntedculbertson.org.