Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

INDIANAPOLIS – It’s almost time for all things spooky, haunted and Halloween! At the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, we have spooktacular events for every interest, scare level and location. Here’s what we have in store in Indianapolis and around the state.

 

Central Region (Indianapolis, Nashville, Fountain City)

 

Quirky Queries: Cocktails and Cadavers
Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
Sept. 16, 6 to 9 p.m.
Price: $15/person, 25% discount for members
Tickets

Indiana has an extensive history with caskets and funerals. Join our collection staff members to get up close to real funerary objects, including cooling tables, embalming tools and more. Plus, play games that revolve around the lighter side of death, test your knowledge of the secret lives of cadavers at our trivia wheel and purchase themed drinks at the cash bar. Registration required by noon Sept. 16. For ages 21+.

 

Fright Night
Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
Oct. 7, 6 to 8 p.m.
Price: $12/person, 25% discount for members, $7/scouts, $5/Access Pass member
Tickets

Get ready for a night of spooky and magical fun! Conduct experiments that look like magic but are all science and see the astonishing science show. Search for hidden clues while exploring creepy creatures of Indiana’s past and wind your way through our chilling galleries by flashlight. Big and little goblins can enjoy our costume contest, take creepy pictures at photo ops, play ghoulish games and more.

 

Twilight Tales
Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
Oct. 19, 21, 26 and 28, 7 to 8 p.m. and 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Price: $20/person, 25% discount for members
Tickets

Twilight brings out all the things that go bump in the night. Venture through the museum on this flashlight-led tour to visit some of the creepiest artifacts in our collection. Staff will share how these pieces are connected to supernatural rumors and Indiana folklore. Museum will have flashlights for guests to use. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes on this walking tour. Be aware, the museum can be chilly at night when all the lights are out. For ages 15+; minors must be accompanied by an adult.

 

Ghost Stories Under the October Sky
T.C. Steele State Historic Site, 4220 T C Steele Road, Nashville
Oct. 21, 7 to 9 p.m.
Price: $10/adult (ages 18+), $5/youth, 25% discount for members
Tickets

Experience thrills and chills from spooky storytelling by the Bloomington Storytellers Guild during an evening under the stars. Pack a flashlight, a blanket and a picnic to enjoy while hearing famous and local ghost stories near the cemetery located at the site. For ages 8+.

 

What We Can Learn From the Dead
Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site, 201 U.S. 27 N., Fountain City
Oct. 22, 1 to 2 p.m.
Price: $8/adult, $6/senior (ages 60+), 25% discount for members
Tickets

Discover a fuller history of Fountain City during a guided tour of Willow Grove Cemetery where soldiers, doctors, business owners, Underground Railroad heroes and African Americans, who called the area home, made Willow Grove the first integrated cemetery in the community. Plus, learn the techniques and challenges in the art of gravestone rubbing. Registration required by noon on Oct. 21. Program participants will meet at Willow Grove Cemetery (409 U.S. 27 South). Cemetery entrance is located between Hartley Avenue and South Street, across from the Family Diner. For ages 18+. This program is supported by Indiana Humanities.

 

NORTH REGION (Geneva, Rome City)

 

Twilight Adventure
Limberlost State Historic Site, 202 E. Sixth St, Geneva
Sept. 17, 7 to 9 p.m.
Price: $3/adult (ages 18+), $2.25/youth (ages 3-17), free for children ages 2 and younger, 25% discount for members
Tickets

Explore the Loblolly Marsh as the sun goes down! Then, enjoy an animal presentation with skulls, furs and nests at the Loblolly Pavilion, plus roast marshmallows around a campfire to cap off the evening. This program is supported by Indiana Humanities.

 

Devil in the White City
Limberlost State Historic Site, 200 Sixth St., Geneva
Oct. 28, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Price: $5/adult (ages 18+), $4/senior (ages 60+), $3/youth (ages 14-17), 25% discount for members
Learn more

Discover the dark and gruesome true story of America’s first serial killer H.H. Holmes and his connection to the glamorous 1893 Chicago World’s Fair that Charles and Gene Stratton-Porter attended. Explore the grand architecture of the world’s fair and its promise of a better tomorrow, plus learn how Gene’s inspiration from the forestry building influenced the construction of the Limberlost Cabin. Then, discuss the book “Devil in the White City” by Eric Larson and learn more about how a serial killer used the fair as a lure to his Murder Castle. For ages 14+.

 

Owl-oween
Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site, 1205 Pleasant Point, Rome City
Oct. 15, 5 to 8 p.m.
Price: $5/person, $3/member
Learn more

Learn all about owls, bats, raccoons, snakes and other creatures of the night during this annual Halloween event where there will be more treats than tricks. Children are encouraged to attend in costume and enjoy treats at various stops along the way. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight to guide your way as the sun sets.

 

SOUTHEAST REGION (New Albany, Corydon, Madison)

 

Haunts and Happenings
Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site, 914 E. Main St., New Albany
Sept. 22, 6 and 8 p.m.
Price: $15/person, 25% discount for members
Tickets

As the evening light fades to dusk, join in the spooktacular happenings at the Culbertson Mansion. Take a guided tour through the mansion to learn about the unexplained happenings that have been experienced here throughout the years. Registration required by Sept. 18.

 

Literally, a Haunted House
Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site, 914 E. Main St., New Albany
Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 7-11 p.m.
Price: $15/person
Purchase your tickets at the door.

The Culbertson Mansion’s annual haunted house – which has been scaring visitors since 1985 – returns with spooky thrills and terrifying chills in the mansion’s Carriage House. Are you brave enough to enter? Come – only if you dare!

 

Haunted Storytime
Corydon Capitol State Historic Site, 202 E. Walnut St., Corydon
Oct. 21, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Price: $5/person, 25% discount for members
Tickets

Get ready for a spooktacular hour of spooky stories and ghoulish tales in the parlor of the Governor’s Headquarters – just in time for Halloween. Registration required by Oct. 19. For ages 6-14. This program is sponsored by Bennett & Bennett Insurance Inc.

 

Real Haunted Happenings: Dark Corners of Corydon
Corydon Capitol State Historic Site, 202 E. Walnut St., Corydon
Oct. 29, tours offered at 8 and 9:30 p.m.
Price: $15/person, 25% discount for members
Tickets

Discover spooky and grim locations in historic downtown Corydon during this hour-long lantern-guided walking tour. Hear stories and legends of historic events that gives insight to the spirits thought to roam Corydon when the sun goes down. Registration required by Oct. 26. For ages 13+.

 

Digging Up Death
Lanier Mansion, 601 W. First St., Madison
Oct. 21 and 22, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Price: $15/adult (ages 18+), $12/senior (ages 60+), $7/youth (ages 3-17), 25% discount for members
Tickets

Explore the Jefferson County History Center’s collection of mourning dresses and artifacts relating to the customs of death in Early America. Then, dig into Early American death practices and discover the details of mourning practices of yesteryear in the Lanier Mansion’s formal parlors. Registration required by 6 p.m. the day of the program. For ages 12+. This program begins at the Jefferson County History Center, 615 W. First St., Madison.

 

SOUTHWEST REGION (Evansville, New Harmony, Vincennes)

 

Halloween Hullaballoo
Angel Mounds State Historic Site, 8215 Pollack Ave., Evansville, IN 47715
Oct. 22 and 29, 6 to 8 p.m. (Central Time)
Price: $6/person, free for children ages 2 and younger, 25% discount for members
Tickets

Discover what all the spooktacular hullaballoo is about during our annual Halloween festivities. Test your bravery along our haunted trails or take a tour of the property on a haunted hayride! For those a little less brave, check out games and crafts during your visit. Don’t forget to bring your trick-or-treat bag for candy! Costumes are encouraged.

 

Thrall’s Murder Mystery
New Harmony State Historic Site, 401 N. Arthur St., New Harmony
Oct. 21, 7 to 9 p.m. (Central time)
Price: $10/person, 25% discount for members
Tickets

Spend an evening attempting to solve a fictional murder mystery inspired by the real history of Thrall’s Opera House and the Golden Troupe family who performed there. Explore Indiana’s history of traveling performers and prohibition during the roaring 1920s all while hunting for clues and trying to crack the case! Each participant will have a unique character to portray, and light refreshments will be served. Registration required by Oct. 14. For ages 18+.

 

Flicks at the Fort: Horror Night
Vincennes State Historic Sites’ Fort Knox II, 3090 N. Old Fort Knox Road, Vincennes
Oct. 1, 9 to 11 p.m.
Price: $5/person, 25% discount for members
Tickets

Pack a picnic and bring your friends and family along to enjoy trivia and a movie during an evening under the stars. See “The Last Man on Earth” (1964) starring Vincent Price, Franca Bettoia and Emma Danieli. Registration required by noon on Oct. 1. For ages 12+. Programs supported by Vincennes/Knox County Visitors and Tourism Bureau.

 

Downtown Ghost Walk
Vincennes State Historic Sites’ Old State Bank, 114 N. Second St., Vincennes
Oct. 14, 7 to 10 p.m.
Price: $15/person, 25% discount for members
Tickets

Hear local ghost stories and other spooktacular tales from costumed storytellers at various locations during an evening walk throughout downtown Vincennes. Registration required by 5 p.m. on Oct. 14. For ages 15+.

 

Halloween Fair
Vincennes State Historic Sites’ main location, 1 W. Harrison St., Vincennes
Oct. 22, 6 to 8 p.m.
Price: $5/youth, 25% discount for members
Tickets

Take a “haunted” walk around the grounds of Vincennes State Historic Site, check out creepy science experiments, listen to some not-so-spooky stories, get candy for your trick-or-treat bag and more. For ages 4-11. Programs supported by Vincennes/Knox County Visitors and Tourism Bureau.