Shelton House Ghosts & Goblets Event

Saturday, October 27, 2012

A popular venue for ghosts is an abandoned house, usually in ramshackle condition, with banging shutters, draped furnishings, spider webs, creaking floors and slamming doors accented with intense bouts of thunder and lightning coursing through the sky.   Eerie sounds emanate from the foreboding basement and shuttered attic.   Tales of the house’s mysterious history are whispered by natives acquainted with the structure’s shadowy past.  While the 1875 historic Shelton House is certainly old, it, as the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts, is not abandoned since it is open to the public for daily tours from May through October.  It is well maintained, with no dangling shutters, covered furniture, or spider webs.  Perhaps the house has a creaking floor or two, but its doors keep their silent sentinel at each well-kept room while the basement and attic maintain a quiet and stately watch over activities within.  The Charlestonian-style house certainly is, however, home to its share of mysterious tales.  For the fourth year, Shelton House’s annual Ghosts & Goblets story telling event will occur at 49 Shelton Street, Waynesville, at the house, barn, and fire pit near the barn on Saturday evening, October 27.  In order to hear all adult stories, attendees will want to meet promptly at the barn by 7 p.m., but stories will be retold every twenty minutes in the house, so coming at any time will allow the audience to listen to a variety of stories.

This year’s affair, in addition to the traditional adult ghost stories in the house, adds a special area for children’s entertainment.  Veteran children’s storytellers Jane Shipman and Lynne Leatherwood will create a captivating atmosphere of suspense and interest for children (and adults) around the fire pit with traditional and creative autumn and Halloween stories suitable for children.  Musician, Anita Pruett, will add traditional bluegrass tunes, dance tunes, campfire songs, and sing-along-songs so that children are able to participate in a fun-filled evening.   Marshmallows are available for roasting.   Parents should accompany small children during the event.  In case of inclement weather, children’s activities will be in the barn.

Adult stories will occur in the house with Mary Ann Enloe, Cliff Hannah, and Malinda Messer setting the tone for a somber, unnerving series of tales every twenty minutes beginning promptly at 7 p.m. until final tales are relayed, beginning at 8:30 p.m.  Seasoned director, Wanda Taylor, who has many performances and directorships with HART, will serve as acting coach for storytellers.  Young children attending the house events must be accompanied by an adult.

Shelton House’s Ghosts and Goblets offers light snacks, goblets of wine, and hot and cold cider in the barn.

Tickets: children under 5 – free; ages 5 - 9 - $5; ages 10 – adults - $10.  Advance tickets may be purchased at Blue Ridge Books.  Tickets may also be purchased at the barn the evening of the event.  For information call Shelton House at 828-452-1551.