TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama Museums will host its annual Haunting at the Museum Oct. 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The free, family-friendly and all-ages event open to the public will be held at both the Alabama Museum of Natural History and Gorgas House Museum.
The Alabama Museum of Natural History will feature, “The Haunting at the Museum: Creepy Cryptids & Fantastic Fossils,” an educational program inviting guests to explore paleontology past and present, the colors of chemistry, the importance of invertebrates and the wonders of boo-tanicals.
“The Haunting at the Museum: Creepy Cryptids & Fantastic Fossils is a wonderful opportunity for guests to explore the history of scientific discovery,” said Kristin Harrell, education outreach coordinator at the Alabama Museum of Natural History. “Whether you’re curious about our cryptids from Alabama and abroad or fascinated by the fossils found in the fabric of time, there’s an adventure for every guest who comes through our doors.”
At the Gorgas House Museum, visitors can learn about the sociocultural expectations and practices of mourning and grieving after the Civil War and the greater Victorian Era with a new exhibit, “Mourning Matters: Grieving and Etiquette in the Antebellum South and Further.” With historical research and letters from the Gorgas family and others closest to them talking about life and loss, the exhibit touches on the deaths of those within the Gorgas House as well as present visitors with a historical understanding of 19th-century practices related to funerals and societal grieving standards.
To bring these stories to life, guests can also watch “Dead History” videos of actors reading the letters and take a guided tour given by volunteers in costumes, telling the spookiest ghost stories of the house.
A costume contest on the steps of the Gorgas House Museum will be held at 7:45 pm. Pre-registration to the costume contest is required due to the limited number of spots available in each age group. Registration is available online and winners will receive a prize.
While admission to both Haunting at the Museum events at the Alabama Museum of Natural History and the Gorgas House Museum are free, donations are welcomed and appreciated.
For more information on these events, visit the UA Museums website.
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.
Contact
Rebecca Johnson, UA Museums, rljohnson8@ua.edu