Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

Small Wonders: Pumpkin Party 

Oct. 3, 4, 7, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. 
$13/child, 25% discount for members
Indiana State Museum 

Have a smashing good time while exploring pumpkins in many forms – from slimy pumpkin sensory dough to pumpkin stacking. Recommended for ages 3 to 5. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.  

Young Explorers: Fall Harvest  

Oct. 7, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Indiana State Museum
$14/child, 25% discount for members; museum admission not included 

From pumpkins to crunchy leaves, we will use our senses to talk about the wonderful fall season. Recommended for ages 4 to 6. This class is for children to attend on their own. Parents do not accompany child. 

Night at the Boo Bash 

Oct. 13, 6 to 8 p.m.
Indiana State Museum
$12/person, 25% discount for members, $7/scout, $5/Access Pass member 

Fred the Mastodon and his friends are hosting their annual Halloween party at the museum and you’re invited! Bring your family and friends and dress in your most creative costume for a chance to win a grand prize. Gear up for a spooktacular night of dancing, candy and fun activities for all ages. 

Twilight Tales

Strange Encounters (All ages)
Oct. 18, 20, 25, 31, 7 to 8 p.m.
$20/person, 25% discount for members
Join us for a night of fun, mystery and intrigue. Experience the museum in dim lighting – using only a flashlight to guide your way! Discover otherworldly creatures and strange objects hidden within the darkness. Search the nooks and crannies of the gallery spaces for creatures from beyond!

Beyond the Grave (Ages 18+)
Oct. 18, 20, 25, 31, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
$20/person, 25% discount for members
Experience the museum by flashlight as you discover our creepiest and oddest artifacts! As you wander through the galleries, your guide will share the intriguing folklore, myths and stories of objects from beyond the grave.

Ghost Stories Under the October Sky 

Oct. 20, 7 to 9 p.m.
T.C. Steele State Historic Site
$10/adult, $5/youth, free for members  

Spend your Friday night on a blanket under the stars at T.C. Steele, enjoying famous and local ghost stories from the Bloomington Storytellers Guild at this annual, spooky event beside the Steele family cemetery. Don’t forget to bring a picnic blanket, snacks, flashlight and your favorite sweatshirt. Recommended for ages 8+. 

Toddler Time: Falling Leaves 

Oct. 21, 9 to 10 a.m., Oct. 25 and 26, 10 to 11 a.m.
Indiana State Museum
$12/child, 25% discount for members

Get ready for fall by investigating the changing weather through sensory play, hands-on experiments, and an engaging story time. Recommended for little ones 18 – 36 months old. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.

Owl-oween 

Oct. 14, 4 to 7 p.m.
Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site
$5/person, 25% discount for members 

All treats, no tricks! Learn about owls, radioactivity and animals who love the dark. Children are encouraged to attend in costume and enjoy treats at various stops along the way. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring a flashlight to help guide you as the sun sets. This is a rain or shine event. 

Devil in the White City  

Oct. 27, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Limberlost State Historic Site
$5/adult, $4/senior, $3/youth (ages 3-17), 25% discount for members 

How does the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair connect to Gene Stratton-Porter? We’ll dive into the story of the “White City” of the Fair, its grand architecture and promise of a better tomorrow, juxtaposed against the grit and grime of Chicago, culminating with “America’s first serial killer” H.H. Holmes and his Murder Castle. Join us in person or virtually for this event to find out where Gene fits into this story. 

Literally, A Haunted House 

Sept. 29, 30, Oct. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28, 7 to 11 p.m.
Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site
$18/person 

We’re back!! Come have the daylights scared out of you at this annual haunted house, sponsored by the Friends of the Culbertson Mansion. Children cannot be carried through the haunted house. 

Reserve your tickets at the door.

Haunted Histories 

Oct. 6 (sold out), 13 (sold out), 20, 27, 6 to 8 p.m.
Lanier Mansion State Historic Site
$16/adult, $14/senior, $12/youth, 25% discount for members
Delve into the history of hauntings and join the Lanier Mansion staff on a walking tour exploring local folklore and macabre history of Madison, Indiana! Recommended for ages 12+. 

Haunted Storytime 

Oct. 20, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Corydon Capitol State Historic Site
$5/youth, 25% discount for members 

Join us in the parlor of the Governor’s Headquarters as we read spooky stories and ghoulish tales! Recommended for ages 6 to 12. 

A Reading of Poe in the Parlor 

Oct. 21, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m.
Lanier Mansion State Historic Site
$10/person, 25% discount for members 

Gather in the Lanier Mansion parlor to delve into 19th-century gothic horror literature. Step back in time as one of Madison’s most beloved storytellers, Bob Hartsaw, reads Edgar Allen Poe’s Cask of Amontillado and Masque of the Red Death. Recommended for ages 16+. 

Real Haunted Happenings: Dark Corners of Corydon 

Oct. 27, 28, 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m.
Corydon Capitol State Historic Site
$15/person, 25% discount for members 

Discover Corydon after dark on this lantern-guided tour of the spooky and grim locations in the town. Hear stories and legends of historic events that may explain why there are spirits who roam the streets of Corydon when the sun goes down. Recommended for ages 13+. 

Frightening Feature Night 

Oct. 7, 7 to 10 p.m.
Vincennes State Historic Site
$10/person, 25% discount for members 

Come dressed in costume and take part in the costume contest before enjoying the classic spooky movie, “Carnival of Souls!” Program takes place at the Fortnightly Building, 421 North 6th Street, Vincennes, IN. Recommended for ages 12+. 

Downtown Ghost Story Walk

Oct. 13, 7 to 8 p.m., 8 to 9 p.m., 9 to 10 p.m.
Vincennes State Historic Site
$15/person, 25% discount for members 

Prepared to be spooked! Embark on an evening walk around downtown Vincennes as you hear local ghost stories and other scary tales. Keep your eyes wide open – you might find some spooky characters along the way! Program starts and ends at the Old State Bank, 114 North 2nd Street, Vincennes. 

Halloween Fair 

Oct. 21, 6 to 8 p.m.
Vincennes State Historic Site
$5/youth (ages 3-17), 25% discount for members 

Join us for this family friendly Halloween Fair! Play Halloween-themed games, listen to slightly spooky stories, and take a haunted walk around the grounds to collect sweet treats. Participate in yard games, crafts and science activities, and bust a move to Halloween-themed tunes at the kids dance club. Program takes place at 1 West Harrison St., Vincennes. 

Thrall’s Murder Mystery Party 

Oct. 27, 6 to 7:30 p.m. CDT
New Harmony State Historic Site
$10/person, 25% discount for members 

Back by popular demand – the spooky murder mystery party at Thrall’s Opera House! This year’s story is set in the wild west, and each attendee will receive a unique character to portray. Light refreshments will be provided. Recommended for ages 12+. 

Yesterday in Mitchido, Richard Woods – a wealthy landowner – was shot down in cold blood whilst he was riding to town. He leaves behind his wife Katherine and daughter Annabel. There is a gathering of his family and the townsfolk to discuss what should be done. The people at the meeting look uneasy. They are not sure who will be arrested as the murderer, and they are afraid that the gunslingers that are present might take the law into their own hands if they don’t like the verdict. 

Can you solve the crime? Players also have the chance to win prizes for best costume, so get your best western gear on and come on out!