Oct. 9, 2008

Walker Tavern invites you to experience an old-fashioned, Victorian-style family Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors will have the chance to decorate a pumpkin to take home, try their hand at snap-apple, make a scary snake and have their fortunes told. They can also enjoy Victorian ghost stories and showings of the cartoon version of "The Headless Horseman," produced in 1934.

Admission is $3 per person, and those in costume will save a dollar off the admission price. Apple cider, donuts and popcorn will be on sale.

"Celebrating Halloween with family parties became popular in America around the turn of the 19th century, when young people gathered to socialize and play parlor games between the seasons of summer and winter," said Cheryl Natzmer Valentine, Walker Tavern site historian. "We've planned a variety of activities to capture the essence of those traditional celebrations, including fortune-telling - Victorian ladies were especially interested in knowing about their future husbands and played divination games to determine their name and occupation."

Visitors will travel between activity centers located throughout the site and should dress for the weather, as this is mostly an outdoor event. The festivities will take place rain or shine, snow or sleet. "If it's a dark and gloomy day, all the more reason to party," Valentine added.

For more information call (517) 467-4401 or visit www.michigan.gov/walkertavern.

Walker Tavern is located in Brooklyn, next to the Michigan International Speedway in the Irish Hills region. Situated at the historic crossroads of M-50 and the U.S. 12 Heritage Trail, it is just 35 miles west of Ann Arbor. The Walker Tavern season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The site is currently open for special events and pre-arranged group tours.

The Department of Natural Resources and the Department of History, Arts and Libraries jointly administer Walker Tavern. Walker Tavern Historic Site is part of the Michigan Historical Museum System and is fully accredited by the American Association of Museums.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).