[BCMA] Does your museum do a Halloween Event

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Hello,

We have partnered with our local high school drama department in the past and re-united with them again this Hallowe'en to bring back "Fright Night at the Museum".  Check our facebook page or local paper for photos (Rossland News  and/or Rossland Telegraph).  Facebook is Rossland Historical Museum Facebook.

1) Yes, see above

2) yes, the kids do vignettes so transform the space to suit the particular "scene" they come up with, integrating some of the museum pieces (where possible, more on that) and using the space available.  This part is primarily up to the Drama students and teacher, with input from Museum staff on lighting, pieces that need to be re-located, etc. to accommodate.  Generally dark and spooky with select dark bulbs.  (cost shared with School)

3) yes - $5.00 per person and the proceeds are shared between the  school Drama Dept. and the Museum

4)  kids age 8 and up.  Families mainly, lots of teens.

5) it's a guided tour, (2 student guides) any child under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.  If asked, we don't recommend it for the very young.  We make sure people know it's potentially scary.

6) 200 this year - we have a population of under 4000, so well supported from the community

7)it helps integrate the museum into the community at large, gets kids up here, uses the museum space in the off season.  Any time a young person (or any person) is here building good memories of being here it's considered a bonus.  

8) The museum volunteers make hot chocolate and goodies for the kids and help escort them up the dark walkway from the parking lot, as it's darker than usual to help create the right atmosphere (some dressed in costumes, with flashlights).  We also had some museum friends available to keep an eye on the grounds.   Museum staff help with the front end, supplemented by student helpers.  It's a guided tour, so has a definate start and finish, with a tour running every 10 minutes between 5 pm and 9 pm.  We have an exit and a separate exit.  The school drama class has been doing Fright Night for years, so has the organization down and are well prepared to help set up and take it down and generally respectful of the space.  The museum manager goes over things with them when they come initially and the teacher reinforces the "hands off artifacts" and "be careful in the musuem in general"  rule with the kids.  They are grateful to have the space, as they lost their traditional space this year with some school changes and we are happy to have them use it.  We will definately do it again.  Fun for us too!

Hope that helps!

Michele
Rossland Historical Museum & Archives Association
Rossland Visitor Centre
T 250-362-7722
   1-888-448-7444
F 250-362-5379
rosslandmuseum at netidea.com
www.rosslandmuseum.ca
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv. 
  To: bcma at lists.vvv.com 
  Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2013 3:19 PM
  Subject: [BCMA] Does your museum do a Halloween Event


  Hi,

   

  We are considering taking on the local safe Halloween activity at our museum next year. I am interested in learning about what other museums do around Halloween.

   

  1.       Do you do special Halloween programming?

  2.       Does it involve turning any of your space into a haunted house?

  3.       Do you charge for the event?

  4.       What age group do you target?

  5.       How do you balance the gore factor?

  6.       How many people do you put through the event?

  7.       How do you justify it as part of your mission?

  8.       What types of activities do you have?

  9.       Did you used to do an event, but not anymore? Why?

   

  Cheers

   

  Lee Boyko

  Executive Director

  Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre

  PO Box 774, Sooke, BC V9Z  1H7

  Corner of Sooke Rd & Phillips Rd

  PH: (250) 642-6351  Fax: (250) 642-7089

   

   



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