Naperville museum celebrates Halloween with haunting characters from history

Whether it’s a “real close shave” you crave or a hatchet job of a haircut, Naper Settlement’s “All Hallows Eve: Village of Fear” is the event for you.From 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22, the usually calm and quaint 12-acre museum village in Naperville will be haunted by a diabolical menagerie of spirits, vampires, werewolves, witches and otherworldly creatures of the night.

Joining them will be some of the most sinister characters and criminals of the 19th century including Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, as well as Lizzie Borden, Count Dracula and others.

Scream Team member Jo Ruggiero said she#146;s also heard that some leftover cases from the Salem Witch Trials are scheduled to be heard on the grounds this weekend.

#147;You never know who may be found to be a witch,#148; she said. #147;I just hope it#146;s not one of our guests who gets caught up in the fray.#148;

And should you get caught up, don#146;t you dare think you#146;ll be able to escape into the Martin Mitchell mansion. Ruggiero said she#146;s seen some of the freaks that have taken up residence there this Halloween season.

#147;I don#146;t want to give too much away, but I#146;m afraid anyone running in there may not come out,#148; she said. #147;It#146;s pure Victorian horror.#148;

Roaming outside the mansion will be characters including Frankenstein, Edgar Allan Poe, the Addams family and Beetlejuice.

Spiritualist magicians from the era, Ira and William Davenport, also will be on hand to help guests connect to the afterworld through their renowned seances.

#147;We expect people to be lined up to get a message from the other side,#148; Ruggiero said. #147;They just may not like what they hear once the spirits start speaking.#148;

Naper Settlement staff members ask that visitors leave the costumes up to the volunteers and professionals. No visitor costumes are allowed.

Tickets are $15, but you can save $2 on each ticket if you pre-order though the Settlement#146;s website until 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20. For information, call (630) 420-6010.

If you go

What: All Hallows Eve: Village of Fear

When: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22

Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville

Cost: $15 at the gate, $13 if ordered online by 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20

Info: (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum