The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is set to host Halloween-themed tours of the historic 1897 Poe House. This event, titled “Haints and Diversions: A Poe Halloween Party,” will give visitors a glimpse into a turn-of-the-20th-century Halloween celebration at the residence of E. A. Poe, a notable local businessman and owner of the Poe Brick Company.
During these special tours, scheduled for October 16, 17, 29, and 30, performers from Fayetteville’s Sweet Tea Shakespeare theater company will engage guests in scripted and improvised acts while the house is adorned with Halloween decorations. The tours will run hourly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with tickets priced at $10 each, which must be secured in advance online.
Mary Cooper, the museum’s Educator, emphasized the importance of presenting local history in an enjoyable and interactive manner. “We want to share local history in a way that is fun, engaging, and a little different from your typical historic house experience,” she said. The “Hallowe’en Revels” tours are part of the museum’s effort to make history accessible and entertaining.
In addition to the tours, the museum’s gift shop will be open for guests to explore before and after their experiences. Visitors will have the opportunity to inquire about the historical context of the event and purchase memorabilia.
Cooper noted that the event aims to immerse visitors in the past through period stories, games, and traditions, allowing them to experience history firsthand rather than merely hearing about it.
The Hallowe’en Revels event marks the first of four “living history” experiences planned for the museum this fall and winter. These events are made possible through a grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, supported by the North Carolina Arts Council and the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex Foundation.
The museum is situated at 801 Arsenal Ave. in Fayetteville, with regular admission to the museum offered free of charge.
Source: N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
