Throughout the year, the Sampson County History Museum seems like a normal place. But on Halloween night, it will become haunted … in a fun way.
The history museum is hosting its “The Ghosts of Sampson” from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at 313 Lisbon St. Museum Director Chris Woodson is looking forward to the upcoming event, which is open to people of all ages.
“We’re going to have the museum decorated for Halloween and we’re going to have some special exhibits redone with a Halloween theme,” Woodson said.
Throughout the event, visitors will probably bump into a few ghosts and goblins wondering around the grounds of the museum. Students from Clinton High School’s Beta Club and Drama Club will be dressed as zombies to add even more fright.
Woodson said it’s the museum’s first try at having a Halloween-themed event in years.
“We’re going to see how it goes and we plan to do it again, if everything goes well,” he noted.
The free event will feature several historic components such as Victorian Funeral Customs and horse drawn hearse.
“It’s a family oriented activity,” he said. “You’re going to have a little bit of Halloween and a little bit of history. It’s basically exposing families to a different angle on history. People tend to get bogged down and think the museum is just a bunch of old stuff. But we want people to know that we can have fun with it.”
Woodson said the Halloween event is part of a long-range plan to offer more activities and events for community members. Recently, the museum hosted its Arts and Crafts Day, which featured demonstrations and music. The event coincided with the Court Square Street Fair and Barbecue Cook-Off in Clinton’s downtown.
“We had a great turnout out for that despite the weather,” Woodson said. “We had about 200 people come in and that was great.”
Another upcoming event include a Revolutionary War living history program, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. The event will feature reenactments and education about the war.
The museum director said he is looking forward to many community members throughout Sampson County enjoying the event on Halloween.
“I just enjoy the traditions of it and the family aspects of it,” Woodson said. “It’s always a fun time of the year.”
The event at the museum is part of Clinton’s Halloween on The Square, which is scheduled to begin Friday, Oct. 30 with a pumpkin and decorating contest at the Sampson Arts Council, Small House, 709 College St. It will continue at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, with the Trunk or Treat on Main Street on the Courthouse Square. Some of the other activities include a costume contest and music by Robert Stroud of Boogie Shoes Network.
For more information about the museum’s program, call 910-590-0007.