Spooky road trips: From Poe to Victorian spiritualism and a Halloween train ride
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — With spooky season seemingly already underway, now is the time to plan a Halloween getaway with unique October events that blend history with spine-tingling fun.
See the list below for three unique events just a few hours away from Columbus.
Northeast Ohio
An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe
The James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor will present multiple performances of “An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe,” starring David Keltz as the 1800s writer widely regarded as the Master of the Macabre.
The 90-minute shows will take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16 through 18, with two performances per night. The 6 p.m. shows will feature the story “The Pit and the Pendulum” followed by a recitation of the poem “The Raven.” The 8 p.m. shows will feature the story “Hop-Frog,” also followed by a recitation of the poem “The Raven.”
Tickets are $35 per person, per performance, for audience members 16 years and older. The night includes a tour of the Garfield home and light refreshments. Tickets are limited and must be purchased online only.
Northwest Ohio
Calling All Spirits, Victorian spiritualism event
The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, located in Fremont, will host a historical program on 19th-century American Spiritualism, a religion known for its focus on channeling the voices of the dead.
During “Calling All Spirits: Spiritualism in the Victorian Era,” event leader Dave Desimone from Wisconsin will discuss a range of topics, including the Fox sisters, who are often credited with starting the first major wave of Spiritualism in America. Desimone will also cover the Morris Pratt Institute, the first school in the United States dedicated to teaching Spiritualism, located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Organizers note that the evenings will not include any actual séances or attempts to conjure spirits.
Two sessions will be offered on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 22 and 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
This event will be held in the dining room of the Hayes home, with seating limited to 20 people and advance tickets required. Admission is $50 per person for non-members and $45 for members of Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.
Southwest Ohio
Nelsonville Halloween Train
The Hocking County Scenic Railway, located in Nelsonville, is offering an old-fashioned train ride through the Hocking River Valley on its Halloween Train. Little passengers can wear their Halloween garb on the roughly two-hour trip and receive treats during and after the journey. Adults are welcome to dress up, but please note that costumes must be family-friendly.
The approximately two-hour event takes place on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $21 for children and $23 for seniors and military.