Ghostin' Around to spotlight Morton Museum mystery

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Morton Museum of Cooke County staff member Jayleane Smith tells a scary story during one of the museum's previous Ghostin' Around tours. This year’s Ghostin’ Around events will feature a new twist on the popular Morton fundraiser. The tours are set for Oct. 24-27. For information, call the museum at 668-8900. Staff photo

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October 3, 2012

Ghostin' Around to spotlight Morton Museum mystery

By DELANIA TRIGG, Register Staff Writer Gainesville Daily Register The Daily Register Wed Oct 03, 2012, 08:57 AM CDT

Gainesville — The latest Morton Museum of Cooke County Ghostin’ Around series is built around the mysterious contents of a once forgotten box, Morton Museum director of education Jayleane Smith said.

In years past, the popular tours have featured visits to numerous Gainesville haunts. This year’s tour will be a little different.

Ghostin’ Around 2012 will center on the museum’s own supernatural lore, Smith said.

“Over the last few months, the Morton Museum has been doing attic renovations,” Smith said. “I had always heard of the ghost of the Morton Museum but never encountered ghostly activities or apparitions face to face.”

That apparently changed when Smith heard about a box of items that had been stored at the museum for years.

“I had heard rumors of a box which at one time had contained some objects,” Smith said. “The box had been permanently sealed because of the possible dangers of someone finding the box and opening it.”

Smith said she found the box and despite a handwritten warning to “Never open the box,” broke the seal and perused the contents. She won’t say what she found inside.

Smith did say she was intrigued by the box and its mysterious contents and believes the items might actually be haunted.

“After a few days I realized I had made a mistake,” Smith said. “I might possibly have unleashed hauntings which will forever be with the Morton. I can’t disclose what the items are, but they will be part of this year’s Ghostin’ Around.”

The tour will begin at the downtown firehouse on Pecan Street. From there, guests will return to the museum for an evening of “spooky fun,” Smith said.

This year’s Ghostin’ Around events will take place Oct. 24-27.

The tour schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, Oct. 24 — 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 25 — 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 26 — 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 27 — 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. The 9 p.m. event will include an “After the ghostin’ party.”

Tickets are $15 each for all the tours except the 9 p.m., Oct. 27 tour which includes the party.

Tickets for that event are $35.

Museum staff members ask that guests not bring children under the age of 12.

Smith said tickets for the event went on sale today and that guests should call ahead to reserve their spot.

For ticket information or to find out more about Ghostin’ Around call 668-8900.