PIPESTONE - The Pipestone County Museum is planning a paranormal weekend for people interested in learning about Pipestone’s haunted history.
Susan Hoskins, the executive director at the Pipestone County Museum, said the weekend will be educational and fun.
“It is meant to be fun,” Hoskins said. “It is a fundraiser for the museum; a whole weekend where there is lots and lots going on.”
All the events are included in a weekend package, and a block of rooms at the historic and reputedly haunted Calumet Inn are available. Those staying in the inn might even get a glimpse of “Charlie” the ghost rumored to haunt room 308.
Some components of the weekend will be open to people who only want to participate in one or two events, but Hoskins said she hope folks will want to dedicate the entire weekend to the paranormal.
“I would love for people to participate in the entire weekend,” she said. “It’s fun to bring people into town. There will be downtime for those participating so they can check out everything Pipestone has to offer.”
Entertainment included in the package is a psychic/medium reading, a ghost hunt, a ghost walk and a presentation by Chad Lewis, author of “Minnesota Guide to Haunted Locations.”
“He is a fantastic speaker,” Hoskins said. “He comes at this from the angle of a skeptic. He researches these hauntings, and it really is a great talk that he does.”
Hoskins said her favorite part about planning the weekend is learning more about the community’s history and hearing people’s stories.
“It’s very interesting to hear the experiences people have had with the paranormal,” she said. “... I think with all the paranormal shows on TV there are a lot of people who have an interest in this kind of stuff.”
To inquire about registering for the weekend or to learn more about prices, call Hoskins at (507) 825-2563.
The schedule of events for the weekend is as follows:
Friday, Oct. 9
8 to 9 p.m.: Arrival/registration at the Historic Calumet Inn, Upper Lounge
9 p.m.: Bedtime stories at the Historic Calumet Inn, Dining Room
10 p.m.: Candlelight tour of Calumet Inn
Saturday, Oct. 10
9 a.m.: Meet and greet at the museum
10 a.m.: Masonic Lodge tour
1 p.m.: Chad Lewis - open to the public. Presentation by paranormal researcher and author that will take the audience on a grisly journey to some of the most gruesome hauntings in the Midwest. Filled with tragic murders, bizarre suicides, serial killers’ untimely deaths and fatal accidents, the presentation is not for the faint of heart.
3:30 p.m.: Gallery Reading - open to the public. Pipestone Performing Arts Center. Psychic Medium Susie Otto will read the audience.
7 p.m.: Ghost Walk. Begins at the Pipestone County Museum. Hear local ghost stories walking through Pipestone’s historic district.
9 p.m.: Ghost Hunt - open to the public. Meet at the Pipestone County Museum. Led by experienced ghost hunters. Ghost hunt with EMF/EVP equipment in the museum, the Keyes Building (once Dr. Keyes office & Brown Hospital) and the mysterious Masonic Lodge.
Sunday, Oct.11
11 a.m.: Cemetery Tour. Old Woodlawn Cemetery. Learn of early settlers, tombstone styles and common markers
2 p.m.: “Making God Laugh” - open to the public. Pipestone Performing Arts Center. A “dramedy” by Sean Grenna.
7 p.m.: Tales from the Grave - open to public. Old Woodlawn Cemetery. Local actors bring Pipestone’s past residents to life. Learn of some interesting people from Pipestone.
