The Blair County Historical Society are planning a variety of haunting events this month at both Baker Mansion and Royer Mansion.
This weekend, October 10 and 11, Jan Kinney and the Allegheny Storytellers will return to Baker Mansion from 7 to 9 p.m. each night for another season of gory, ghoulish, spine-tingling tales.
Interested individuals also have the option to tour the mansion prior to the stories.
This event is suitable for ages 12 and older.
Also, family fright night will be held at Baker Mansion on October 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. Participants will get to tour the mansion and then settle in for an evening of spooky tales guaranteed to give goose bumps.
Both events will have refreshments available afterwards. The cost is $7 per person, including the tour. Those wishing to join in for the stories alone can pay a $5 fee. Tours begin at 7 p.m. with stories to follow at 8 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Call 942-3916 or email bchs@hotmail.com for more information or to reserve a spot.
Finally, Baker Mansion will be the scene of Murder with a Bite on October 31 and November 1.
From 7 to 9 p.m. interested individuals are invited to join the fun when the historical society throws a Halloween party with a vampire theme.
It’s all fun and games until a guest is found with a wooden stake through her heart. Was she a real vampire? Or, has someone made a horrible mistake?
Be the first to solve the mystery and win a prize.
The cost for this event is $6 at the door or $5 in advance.
Baker Mansion won’t be the only place for activities this month, as Royer Mansion will host Spooks and Specters, as well as Ghost Hunting 101 on October 17 and 18.
Spooks and Specters will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the last tour at 9:30 p.m. There will be all new stories this year as visitors go from room to room in the mansion and hear Central Pennsylvania ghost stories. The cost for this event is $5.
Following the tours, at 10 p.m. will be Ghost Hunting 101. This class will last until midnight. Join Patty Wilson, Scott Crownover and friends as they give a crash course in ghost hunting. Participants are invited to bring their own equipment as they will have an opportunity to go through Royer after the class.
Advanced, paid reservations are required for Ghost Hunting 101 due to limited seating. The deadline is October 10.
The cost for this course is $15 or $18 in conjunction with the Spooks and Specters tour.
Also at Royer Mansion, on October 18 will be Midnight at the Mansion. This is an all new event this year.
Meet the stars of the upcoming television series, “Ghost Soldiers”. They will be showing clips from their series. Afterwards, they will talk about their experiences and guests will have a chance to ask questions.
The fun starts at midnight and will last until 1 or 2 a.m.
Also, local authors and paranormal investigators Patty Wilson and Scott Crownover will be in attendance.
Both have appeared on the Travel Channel’s “Mysterious Journey” and Patty will have her new book, Ghosts in the Museum available for purchase. The book contains stories of the Altoona Railroaders Museum and a rare collection of ghost stories about Royer Mansion.
Admission to this event is $10 per person and must be paid in advance. The deadline for reservations is October 10.
For more information, or to reserve a spot, call 832-2379 or email royermansion@blairhistory.org.
