By Aaron Mace, Lakeshore Museum Center
How much do you know about the deaths that happened in the Hackley and Hume Houses?
The Hackley and Hume Historic Site (484 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon, MI 49440) will host an Obituary Tour event on Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 with two sessions each night running from 7-8pm and 8:30-9:30 pm. Visitors are invited to travel back in time as they tour the houses by candlelight and explore the funerals, autopsies, and deaths that occurred on site during the Victorian Era.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to experience a reenactment of Julia Hackley’s funeral service and become immersed in the practices and traditions of death and dying spanning from 1949-1994.
Erin Schmitz, the Historic Site’s Program Manager, explains, “With all the excitement of Halloween just around the corner, we’re looking forward to having the community come out and enjoy this event! It was a huge success last year, and we know our visitors will love learning more about the history surrounding the Hackley and Hume Houses.”
The candlelit tours are given twice each night, the first session running from 7-8pm and the second from 8:30-9:30 pm. Due to the elements involved, the event is recommended for adults only.
The Obituary Tour takes place inside the Hackley and Hume Houses. Admission to the event is $20 for non-members and $15 for members. Registration is required. To RSVP, contact Aaron Mace at aaron@lakeshoremuseum.org or call 231-724-5534.
