Halloween Hauntings tours scheduled at Compass Inn Museum

Newly carved jack-o-lanterns will illuminate walkways as visitors arrive for the annual Halloween Hauntings tours at Compass Inn Museum.

Tours led by costumed docents are scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Oct. 19, 26 and 27 at the 18th-century stagecoach stop at 1386 Route 30, Laughlintown.

Tours starting from 6 to 7:15 p.m. will be geared toward families with children. Tours beginning from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. will offer stories for more mature audiences, including eerie fables of people who lived, worked or stopped at the inn during its long history.

“The inn will be lighted by candlelight and fireplaces, so it’ll be a spooky setting to listen to ghost stories,” says museum program director Amanda Seim. “On Oct. 26 and 27, we’ll be featuring re-enactor Joanne Shelby-Klein, who will be portraying a Civil War widow in mourning.”

Dating to 1799, the authentically restored stagecoach stop along what was the original Philadelphia-Pittsburgh turnpike includes the inn, blacksmith shop, cook house and a barn housing a stagecoach and Conestoga wagon.

A tour is $9 for ages 13-61, $8 for ages 62 and older, $7 for ages 5-12, and free to younger children. A hot dog or s’more and a cup of hot chocolate is included.

Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more, and are strongly encouraged for individuals or smaller groups. For information and reservations, contact Seim at 724-238-4983 or aseim@compassinn.org.