Newtown Yardley, PA Announcement

Halloween Comes to the Grundy Library and Grundy Museum Beginning October 1

Opening Night of Spiritualism in the Victorian Era Set for October 24th

Bristol, PA, September 18, 2025 – The Grundy Foundation announces an exciting series of Halloween events hosted by the Grundy Library and the Grundy Museum, starting October 1st. The opening night of the Museum’s exhibition Spiritualism in the Victorian Era is set for the evening of October 24, 2025.

“Halloween at Grundy offers many fun experiences for the whole family. With eight events and a week-long exhibit, there will be some spiritual spookiness for everyone!”, said Jameson Gilpatrick, Associate Executive Director of the Grundy Foundation.

Anchoring the series is the museum’s exhibition Halloween at the Grundy Museum: Spiritualism in the Victorian Era, which explores the 19th-century belief that one could communicate with the dead. The exhibit will feature Brandon Hodges’ nationally recognized spiritualism collection including Ouija boards, planchettes, and other séance-related devices. The exhibit will also highlight the life of Rebecca Hulme Grundy on the 130th anniversary of her death. On opening night October 24th, the museum will host author of the book, When We Spoke to the Dead, Ilise S. Carter, who will discuss ‘the forgotten roots of today’s obsession with manifestation, mysticism, and the power of belief.’ The museum will also host a mask-making workshop on October 4th.

“Discovering that Rebecca went to see a spiritualist in Philadelphia with her son William in June of 1854 was the spark that led us to creating this exhibit,” said John Whitenight, Director of the Grundy Museum. “We are thrilled to share this facet of the Grundy family history and explore how spiritualism became a crucial platform for the early women's rights movement.”

In addition to the Museum exhibition, the Grundy Library will host several Halloween-themed events including a movie and craft night, book-signing event with author Chuck Wendig, and the Books and Brews book club, among several others. “Collaborating with John and the museum staff on Halloween programming allows us to continue to expand our reach, inspire curiosity, and celebrate creativity and imagination,” says Megan Marks, Director of the Grundy Library.

Opening Night tickets at the Grundy Museum are available at $25.00 per person, proceeds from which will support the museum’s education programs. Free walk-through tour days and times from October 25 through November 1 are listed at Grundy Museum website. All other programs are free.

Visit www.grundymuseum.org and www.grundylibrary.org for more information, tickets, and registration.

The full list of events at Halloween at Grundy 2025:

• October 1, 6:30pm-7:45pm                 The Origins of the Legend: The New Jersey Devil
• October 4, 11am-1pm                             Make a Mask Workshop (registration required)
• October 7, 6:30pm-7:30pm                 Stem After Dark: Under the Skin
• October 15, 6:30pm-7:30pm              Beyond the Veil: An Intro to Spiritualism

                                                                                           with Spiritualist Minister Dawn Pfeufer (registration required)

• October 21, 6pm-6:45pm                     Get Creepy and Crafty: Movie Night and Clay Ghosts Craft

(registration required)

• October 21, 7pm-8:30pm                     Books and Brews @ Cafe Giovanni featuring

When We Spoke to the Dead by Ilise S. Carter

• October 24, 6pm-8 pm                           Opening Night Spiritualism in the Victorian Era, with author

Ilise S. Carter (Tickets Required)

• October 25, 1 pm-3pm                          Crafting Fear: An Author Talk and Book Signing

                                                                                           with author Chuck Wendig

• October 25 - November 1                      Exhibition Spiritualism in the Victorian Era

Free event, no registration required, see website for schedules