Mabry-Hazen House of Knoxville will host “A Victorian Séance Experience” inside the front parlors of the 1858 historic house from Oct. 23-26.
The historic house museum will present this spooky, yet fascinating cultural moment during the eighth year of their award-winning, immersive Halloween event.
“We want people to have a sense of the past and present through this event,” said Patrick Hollis, executive director of Mabry-Hazen House, “Spiritualism in the United States didn’t go extinct. It evolved into and merged with other beliefs that are alive and influence our culture to this day.”
Under the guidance of a “Victorian medium,” the small-group program will reenact a 19th-century Spiritualist séance filled with “mysterious and startling wonders.”
These sessions use the traditional tools of the Victorian séance to educate about the history of spiritualism. These séances are for educational and entertainment purposes. This is not a demonstration of mediumship or a way to contact the deceased. It is not recommended for the recently bereaved.
Sitters will join a Victorian investigator to view historic “demonstrations” of mediumship, relying on primary sources from the nineteenth century.
Séances occur every 15 minutes starting at 6:30 p.m. daily. Sitters must select a specific date and time to reserve a seat at the table.
Each session is limited to seven sitters, and it is strongly recommended that tickets be purchased in advance. All sitters must be 10 years or older.
Tickets are $25 per person and $15 for children ages 10-16. Sitters should arrive at least 15 minutes before their reservation.
Tickets can be purchased at www.mabryhazen.com/seance. Service fees apply for online purchases. Payments with cash or check are available. Call 865-522-8661 to arrange payment.
In addition to the séances, Mabry-Hazen House also hosts the open-to-the-public House of Tarot, a 40-by-60-foot walled and lighted tent that offers tarot readings and community Halloween vendors.
Fortune tellers, astrologers and tarot card readers will be available for interested parties. Vendors will also have holiday items available for sale inside the House of Tarot. No reservation is needed to browse the wares and get cards read.
Along with the séance reenactments and House of Tarot, free history lectures and scary story readings will take place each evening. Halloween-themed silent films will also be shown outdoors on the lawn, weather permitting.
The Tennessee Archive for Moving Images and Sound will share a special Halloween film with archival footage from the 1930s-60s. See the online event page for more information on times and details for free events each night.
A Victorian Séance Experience and the House of Tarot at Mabry-Hazen House are sponsored by Borderland Tees, Howling Hills Publishing, J-Bird Digital Designs, and New Moon Rising Gifts and Goods.