We have, each year, a special "mourning tour" during the month of October.  The c.1800 Creole house is draped in 19th-century mourning (mirrors/portraits and doorknobs covered, death notices posted in French, even pillowcases and cribs trimmed in black ribbon, etc.) and period mourning clothes
are displayed.  Each year varies slightly depending on what loans are available:  this year we will also show a valuable mourning portrait and hair and jet jewelry in addition to our own elaborate hair wreath.  The regular tour incorporates discussion of 19th-century mourning customs.  One
year there was a horse-drawn hearse.  This year we'll also have a guest speaker from LSU on 19th-century burial clothes.  Oct. 30 we're also, with the parish library, putting on an evening (outdoor) ghost-storytelling event, with 3 excellent storytellers--expecting quite a crowd.

Carolyn Breedlove
Executive Director
Kent Plantation House
Alexandria, LA

Kimberly Beach wrote:

> I am looking for some ideas for programming around Halloween that are
> feasible for a small historical society.  We have a modern museum with
> exhibit space and an 1832 Dutch farmhouse with a barn and outbuildings.
>  (Our current exhibit "East Meets West" is about Middle Eastern and
> American clothing, which doesn't really lend itself to Halloween
> programming!  It will be on view through November 7.)
>
> Thank you for your help!
>
> Kimberly A. Beach
> Curator
> Historical Society of Rockland County
>
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