Press Release - Slots Still Open for Halloween Teas; No History Haunt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Johnathan Campbell
October 15, 2009
(701) 328-9528

BISMARCK – Registration slots are still open for the two Halloween Teas at the Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site in Bismarck on Saturday, October 31. The first tea is at 2 p.m. and the other at 8 p.m. The site is managed by the state’s history agency, the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

The other Halloween event hosted annually by the State Historical Society, History Haunt! at the North Dakota Heritage Center, has been cancelled and will not take place this year. Here are the spooky details for the Halloween Teas at the Former Governors’ Mansion, including registration information. The deadline to register is Friday, October 30.

• The Spooktacular Tea at 2 p.m. is for children eight years old or older and also for those who are youngsters at heart. Guests will enjoy an afternoon of tea and treats, with a few fun tricks thrown in. Costumes will be required by all who attend with prizes given for the best of them. Guests will participate in a scavenger hunt in the mansion, as well as find out if the mansion is haunted on a ghost story tour. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The cost is $5 per person. Space is limited.
• The Fun and Frights High Falutin Tea at 8 p.m. is for those 18 or older. Guests will be served tea after dark by the staff of the mansion and enjoy a banquet table piled high with a variety of sweet treats. During the tea guests will be able to participate in a few tricks or treats to earn a prize. Costumes will be required by all to attend and will be judged by the hostesses for the night, the three witches of haunted history. Prizes will be awarded for best overall, most original, historically accurate and worst costume. After the tea, guests will be given a ghost story tour, with those willing allowed into parts of the mansion normally closed to the public. The tea will begin at 8 p.m. sharp, with the mansion doors opening at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. Space is limited.

For more information and to register, contact Site Supervisor Johnathan Campbell at jcampbell@nd.gov or (701) 328-9528. The Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site is located at the corner of Fourth Street and Avenue B in Bismarck. The site consists of a large two and one-half story, restored Victorian house, and restored 1903 carriage house. Built in 1884, it housed 20 chief executives of North Dakota between 1893 and 1960. Unique exhibits feature the restoration process, architectural style changes and furniture used by several governors. The beautiful grounds feature many examples of the types of flowers typical of the Victorian era.

One of 55 state historic sites managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota (SHSND), it is open from May 16 through September 15, Wednesdays through Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m., as well as the second Friday and Saturday of each month during the winter. Admission is free. For schedule information, contact the SHSND at (701) 328-2666 or visit the agency’s web www.history.nd.gov.

Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Get Directions

Hours:
Exhibit galleries and Museum Store: 8am - 5pm M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10am - 5pm.
State Archives: 8am - 4:30pm., M-F, except legal holidays, and 2nd Sat. of each month, 10am - 4:30 pm.
State Historical Society offices: 8am - 5pm M-F, except legal holidays.

Contact Us:
phone: (701) 328-2666
fax: (701) 328-3710
email: histsoc@nd.gov