FAYETTEVILLE—Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble! The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex will once again host Hallowe’en Revels Night Tours of the 1897 Poe House on October 16-17 & 23-24 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. In the early 20th century Hallowe’en was celebrated with themed parties where costumed guests participated in fortune telling, games, and often frightening surprises! Experience the fun with actors from the Gilbert Theater as the E.A. Poe family returns for a Hallowe’en celebration.

In November of 1913, the Fayetteville Weekly Observer reported about the Southern Presbyterian College Hallowe’en party in Red Springs. “The most awe-inspiring scene during the evening was the excellent reproduction from MacBeth, of the revelry of the three witches over a seething cauldron.” This year’s tour will recreate this classic Hallowe’en spectacle.

“This is the fourth year of Hallowe’en Revels Night Tours so we are changing up the scenes and adding some fun surprises. Our goal is to keep it new and fresh so that people will keep coming back year after year,” says 1897 Poe House Education Coordinator, Megan Maxwell.

The night tours cost $3.00 per person for ages 7 and up. Tickets must be purchased at the door. Tours will run every 20 minutes beginning at 6:00 pm with the last tour at 9:00 pm each evening. Tour space is limited to 15 participants per tour. There will be an actor’s break from 7:40-8:00 pm.

The Poe House Trick or Treat event will be held on Saturday October 31 from 11:00-4:00 pm. Listen to a Halloween story and then play carnival games in the backyard for a prize. This event also features a Costume Contest for ages Infant to 12 years old. Register from 11:00-2:00, for an entry fee of $1.00. Judging begins at 2:15, and prizes awarded in each age category: Infant-2yrs., 3-5yrs., 6-9 yrs., and 10-12 yrs. Candy, prizes, scavenger hunt and more! Concessions on site. Admission is FREE! 11:00-4:00 pm.

Experience Hallowe’en at the 1897 Poe House throughout the month of October. All month long the 1897 Poe House will be decorated with traditional Halloween décor from the Victorian period up through the 1930s. Hallowe’en, short for Hallow’s Eve, is the traditional spelling of the holiday during the Victorian period. Is the Poe House haunted? Find out the answer by taking a Hallowe’en themed tour during the month of October. 1897 Poe House tours are given at 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00 Tues. through Fri. and on the hour on weekends. The house is closed on Mondays. The cost is FREE!

This project is supported by the Arts Council in part by contributions from businesses and individuals, and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Cultural Resources. Matching funds are being provided by the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex Foundation, Inc.

Contributed photo Joyce Lipe as Mrs. Poe and Antionett Gage as Ada the housemaid.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_PoeHouseHalloween.jpgContributed photo Joyce Lipe as Mrs. Poe and Antionett Gage as Ada the housemaid.