Highlights Archives
Tricks & Treats — The Horror of Halloween
With Halloween just days away, the Wisconsin Historical Society has planned a special series of spooky events and programs to fill every trick-or-treater's plastic jack-o-lantern. At Old World Wisconsin children should don their scariest costumes to take part in All Hallow's Eve — A Beggar's Night, an event geared toward younger children, complete with games and prizes for the best costumes. Also at Old World Wisconsin, Hallowe'en — Traditions and Superstitions will focus on the traditions and superstitions associated with Halloween in the 1800s. Kids wearing costumes to this event will get a treat at the gift shop.
Horror Week at the Wisconsin Historical Museum, which runs through October 29, will feature spooky and scary movies — ranging from The Killer Shrews (1959) and The Old Dark House (1932) to Little Shop of Horrors (1960). Craft activities for the kids will be included.
Join nationally recognized Milwaukee magician and illusionist David Seebach for Magic at the Movies, and learn about a forgotten chapter in entertainment history. Beginning in the 1930s, magicians took to the road with "ghost shows" that played at midnight at movie theaters, often in conjunction with a grade B (or lower) horror picture. David will show off his bag of tricks at the Wisconsin Historical Museum.
Haunted Ringlingville at Circus World Museum will show vintage Halloween cartoons and Three Stooges shorts on the big screen. There's also a "Not-So-Spooky" House for the younger kids. If you'd like more about the Ringling Brothers' Circus, check out Ringlingville USA: The Stupendous Story of Seven Siblings and Their Stunning Circus Success.
No Halloween would be complete without talking about Harry Houdini, who died on Halloween in 1926. The Wisconsin Magazine of History has a great article with astounding images for anyone who wants to learn more about the escape artist. And, if you want to see some of Houdini's actual harrowing props, you can go to the Outagamie County Historical Society's Houdini Historical Center in Appleton.
:: Posted October 24, 2005
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