All Hallows Eve at Naper Settlement
When an assistant takes aim at Emmett Miller with a loaded replica pistol from the 1800s and fires at a little metal plate he's holding in Naper Settlement's chapel, Miller hopes the bit doesn't become a Cursed Illusion.
"I think the chapel is an appropriate place for what I may be facing," said Miller, the Windy City Wizard, who will perform the illusion at the settlement's All Hallows Eve. "If they had a hospital on the grounds, we would be having it there."
More than 400 professional actors and volunteers will spook visitors at this year's eighth annual All Hallows Eve from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24.
Miller's fateful Cursed Illusion trick is one of 25 treats for those looking for a scare throughout the settlement's 13 acres and in some of the 30 buildings.
All Hallows Eve invites you to experience Halloween as if you've stepped into it 150 years ago, organizers say.
"What they experience is very, very different than what they usually expect from Naper Settlement," said Donna Sack, director of visitor services at Naper Settlement. "When they come onto the grounds, we're geared to PG creepy. We use the buildings and sites very differently. It's our opportunity to scare folks."
The living history museum's typical focus on life during the 1800s takes a detour during the two-day event that celebrates scares from literature of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries with characters such as Lizzie Borden, Frankenstein and Dracula.
"It's a chance to physically see some things and step into a different world and see how they celebrated Halloween years ago," Miller said. "Hopefully it will be the kind of experience that you can remember for many years."
The Murray House transforms to Dracula's Lair.
"Rather than being told about Judge Murray, the story in there becomes about Dracula," Sack said. "The building really takes on a really, really different persona."
New this year is the Mansion of Marie Laveau, an altered tour of the Martin Mitchell Mansion that may include floating tables and spirits zinging around the room.
Also new this year is a penny arcade featuring creepy shows in the Blacksmith's Shop where visitors may see such sights as a headless woman and a body without a head.
Characters roving about the grounds may depict the seven deadly sins. The Naper Hay House could become an execution chamber. And in the fort, slain Civil War soldiers might come back to haunt. In another location, a Fun House could feature creepy clowns.
"This really is an old fashioned Halloween," Miller said. "Rather than having modern clowns, our clowns are dressed in late 18th century clothing. And penny shows were very popular during that day."
Listen to ghost stories by the campfire or enjoy a s'mores. Or grab pizza, corn dogs, kettle corn, candy apples, apple cider and hot chocolate from the vendors on site.
Purchase glow accessories and Halloween tattoos in the museum, or get measured for your coffin.
Catch the Cold Blooded Creatures, a show of creatures that slither, snap and hiss.
On Saturday night, watch members of the Blue Monkey Sideshow - a modern day variety show - lie on a bed of nails, throw knives, swallow swords and more.
The event is geared for late elementary school and older, and is not recommended for children under 8 years old.
"It goes from being 'oh my god, that was scary' to 'wow that was really kind of creepy,'" Miller said. "With other things, they can see that and think, 'I'm not quite sure that's real, but I think it's real, but it shouldn't exist.'"
Tickets are $10 at the gate, or $1 less if purchased in advance at Naper Settlement, Anderson's Bookshop, Canterbury Shoppe, Country Curtains, Just Ducky and Oswald's Pharmacy.
For information call (630) 420-6010 or visit napersettlement.museum.
If you go
What: All Hallows Eve
When: 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24
Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
Cost: $10 per person, $9 in advance
Info: (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum