Telluride Museum: Haunted History in October

30 Sep Telluride Museum: Haunted History in October

Halloween, that fun-filled ghoulish holiday, is fast approaching. To celebrate the occasion, the Telluride Historical Museum has several tricks (and treats) up its sleeve.

Join in the fun throughout October: Haunted History is a series of spooky events that take place on Thursday and weekends. Everything from pumpkin carving and scary movies to ghost stories and cemetery tours, the Museum has activities for all ages and fright seekers.

Around the time Telluride was founded in the 19th century, Halloween was becoming mainstream in the United States. The holiday originated in Ireland with the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain, a tradition that honored the souls of relatives passed and involved food, dance and mischief. Samhain was gradually evolved into “All Hallows Eve,” and spread through mainland Europe. Hundreds of years later as European immigration into the United States increased, these newcomers popularized dressing in costume and going door to door asking for money, the original trick or treat.

The late 1800s saw a large community effort to remove anything frightening or grotesque from the holiday. Parties for both adults and children became the most popular way to celebrate, focusing on games, food and costumes. Children in Telluride donned masks and enjoyed treats at school. By the early 20^th century, Halloween had lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones.

Grab your kids, friends and neighbors and celebrate this longstanding holiday with the Telluride Historical Museum’s Haunted History.

Visit our website at www.telluridemuseum.org for more information, but here is the schedule:

Thursday, October 3, 6:30  7:30 p.m., Lamplight Cemetery Tour.

Join Andrea Benda for an evening tour of Telluride’s Lone Tree Cemetery. Enjoy local lore and ghostly tales from the grave. Meet at the Museum. Dress warmly and bring your own flashlight.

Saturday, October 5, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Hike to Lewis Mine.

Lauren Bloemsma leads this first-hand history hike to the Lewis Mill. Built in 1907, this mill was state of the art technology and now is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sunday, October 6, 2 p.m. Walking tour of Lone Tree Cemetery.

Andrea Benda leads this unique look at Telluride’s history and the iconic characters who lived and worked in the region and were buried there.

Thursday, October 10, starting 6:30. Macabre Movie Night

Don’t miss this evening of Halloween fun. At 6:30 p.m., bring the kids for Disney’s short film “The Adventures of Ichabod Crane.” At 7:00 p.m., we’ll be showing Tim Burton’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Bring your own cushions, blankets, chairs and movie snacks for this indoor showing at the Museum.

Thursday, October 24, 4 – 6 p.m. Pumpkin Carving.

Bring your own pumpkin for this creative and messy tradition. Enjoy good company, snacks, and apple cider in the Museum amphitheater. Carving tools and markers will be provided.

Thursday, October 31, 7 – 8 p.m. Ghost Stories and Lamplight Museum

Local story teller Ashley Boling shares eerie tales of haunted history in the Museum amphitheater.Followed by a darkened tour of the Museum. Bring a flashlight.