“Spirited” Events
“Spirited” 2023 October Events at the Merchant’s House
Photos by Hal Hirshorn
Wednesday, October 4, 6 p.m.
How Lincoln’s Funeral Changed Everything: The Rise of Embalming the Dead in America
Virtual Event
Although the art and science of preserving human remains has existed since the times of the Pharaohs in Egypt, four years of Civil War and Abraham Lincoln’s funeral, in 1865, transformed the practice of embalming. Families of the dead on the battlefield wanted their loved ones returned home for local burial, which necessitated lengthy transport. And it was embalming that made possible the long 1,700 mile cross-country passage of Lincoln’s body home for burial, bringing the potential of embalming to a national audience. Our very own Tredwells may have participated in a public viewing of Lincoln’s body. The funeral procession in New York lasted four hours and included an estimated 120,000 marchers.
Join thanatologist Matilda Garrido as we explore the rise of embalming, the implications of extended viewing times, and what embalming has meant for both the funeral industry and for grieving families. Free (suggested donation $13). Register for “The Rise of Embalming the Dead in America.”
The Rise of Embalming the Dead in America is a virtual event. You will receive a confirmation email from Zoom within 15 minutes of placing your order, and a reminder email one hour before the event. A recording of the event will be posted to our YouTube page.
Friday, October 6, 6:30 p.m.
In the Spirit of Science: Exorcisms
Live Video Podcast
The history of exorcism is long, but can a person really be possessed? Be taken over by a demonic, evil power? (Think spinning head and green projectile vomit.) What’s the scientific evidence? Join us as we explore this centuries old question just in time for Friday the 13th (next week!) and the opening of The Exorcist: Believer, a direct sequel to the movie that started it all in 1973, 50 years ago. Free (suggested donation $10); register for “In the Spirit of Science.”
In the Spirit of Science is a monthly video podcast on topics related to ongoing paranormal research at the Merchant’s House. Using the scientific method, with unbiased observation and systematic experimentation, this research is building a better understanding of the strange and fascinating phenomena experienced by staff, volunteers, and visitors at “Manhattan’s Most Haunted House” (The New York Times).
The research project and monthly video podcasts are led by neuroscientist Dr. Lee, thanatologist and MHM volunteer Matilda Garrido, and Dan Sturges, founder of Sturges Paranormal, who appears on the Travel Channel’s weekly series, Paranormal Caught on Camera.
In the Spirit of Science is a virtual event. You will receive a confirmation email from Zoom within 15 minutes of placing your order, and a reminder email one hour before the event. A recording of the event will be posted to our YouTube page.
Opens Wednesday, October 11
Exhibition – “Truly We Live in a Dying World:” A 19th Century Home in Mourning
Including 19th century mourning attire and accessories from the Tredwell Collection.
In March 1865, family patriarch Seabury Tredwell died in his upstairs bedroom; his wake and funeral were held in the double parlor, shrouded in black crepe. Poignant scenes throughout the house explore 19th century customs surrounding death, a time, unlike today, when death and mourning were pervasive and integral parts of life; dying and funerals took place at home; and rituals of mourning helped the bereaved cope with the ever-present anguish of death. Included with regular admission; reservations not required.
Open Wednesday, October 11, to Sunday, November 5
Exhibition – Forget-me-not: Victorian Mourning Jewelry from the Elissa Tamalo and Tara Meagher Collection
The Merchant’s House Museum is pleased to be showcasing a never-before-seen private collection of Victorian-era mourning jewelry. When Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, died in 1861, Victoria went into mourning for the next 40 years. As an icon of style, she made mourning items, especially jewelry, essential accessories for the well-to-do and aspirational classes on both sides of the Atlantic. With pieces spanning the 19th century, the Elissa Tamalo and Tara Meagher Collection includes a variety of styles that were worn at the peak of mourning jewelry’s popularity, including bespoke hairwork mementos. Visitors will also be able to compare these pieces with the museum’s own Tredwell mourning jewelry. Included with regular admission; reservations not required.
Wednesday, October 18, 6 p.m.
‘Death Cannot Make Our Souls Afraid’: 19th Century Mourning Customs
A Virtual Talk with Museum Historian Ann Haddad
Grief was more than just an emotion for Americans during the 19th century — it was a way of life. The moment Seabury Tredwell drew his last breath, in March 1865, his family put into motion an elaborate system of mourning customs that both announced their grief to the community and provided some measure of release from their suffering.
Join Museum Historian Ann Haddad to explore the origins and significance of these somber yet comforting rituals, from widows’ weeds and crepe-draped mirrors to corpse coolers and funeral biscuits. Free (suggested donation $13). Register for “Death Cannot Make Our Souls Afraid.”
‘Death Cannot Make Our Souls Afraid’ is a virtual event. You will receive a confirmation email from Zoom within 15 minutes of placing your order, and a reminder email one hour before the event. A recording of the event will be posted to our YouTube page.
Friday, October 13
Friday & Saturday, October 20 & 21
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, October 27, 28 & 29
Candlelight Ghost Tours of “Manhattan’s Most Haunted House”
50 minute tours run every half hour, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Doors slam, floorboards creak, voices call into the dead of night. Venture into “Manhattan’s Most Haunted House” by flickering candlelight to hear chilling – and true – tales of decades of otherworldly activity in the house, the results of years of paranormal investigations – and the latest stunning scientific findings.
The Tredwell family lived at 29 East 4th Street for nearly 100 years, and at least eight people died in the house. Reports of strange and inexplicable occurrences have been widespread since Gertrude, the last surviving Tredwell, died in 1933. Is it Gertrude who is watching over her family home? Join us on a Candlelight Tour and decide for yourself. $45; $35 MHM Members. Purchase tickets.
Doors open 10 minutes before each tour. Once the tour begins, there is no late entry. Latecomers will only be moved to a different time slot if there is room. There are no refunds for latecomers.
Not recommended for children under 12.
Large bags (including briefcases, suitcases, backpacks, and shopping bags) and coats may not be carried and must be checked in the coat room.
The tour covers four floors, participants must be able to stand for 50 minutes and be able to climb stairs.
Senior/Student and Good Neighbor Members may purchase up to TWO discounted tickets; Family/Household Members and above may purchase a maximum of FOUR discounted tickets.
Friday, October 13, 9:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, October 20 & 21, 9:30 p.m.
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, October 27, 28 & 29
SUPER SPOOKY Candlelight Ghost Tour with Paranormal Investigator Dan Sturges
In 2020, the museum closed due to COVID-19, leaving the house empty of staff and visitors. Dan Sturges, who has undertaken paranormal investigations at the Merchant’s House since 2007, teamed up with neuroscientist Dr. Lee to conduct scientific research using specialized equipment custom-built for the house. Mounting fact-based evidence points to the very likely reality of paranormal activity at the Merchant’s House.
Join paranormal investigator Dan Sturges on a 90-minute Super Spooky Candlelight Ghost Tour for an in-depth look at the latest research and findings. $65; $55 MHM Members. Purchase tickets.
Doors open at 9:20 p.m. Once the tour begins, there is no late entry. There are no refunds for latecomers.
Not recommended for children under 12.
Large bags (including briefcases, suitcases, backpacks, and shopping bags) and coats may not be carried and must be checked in the coat room.
The tour covers four floors, participants must be able to stand for 90 minutes and be able to climb stairs.
Senior/Student and Good Neighbor Members may purchase up to TWO discounted tickets; Family/Household Members and above may purchase a maximum of FOUR discounted tickets.
American Gothic: Spine-tingling Tales to Raise Your Spirits
On YouTube
Enjoy storytelling of 19th-century American Gothic literature read by actor Dayle Vander Sande in the authentic period parlor of the Merchant’s House Museum. These tales by Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mark Twain and Louisa May Alcott make your blood run cold with scenes of terror and woe. Dayle is a longtime museum volunteer and Director of the Bond Street Euterpean Singing Society, the vocal arts group-in-residence at the Merchant’s House.
Tales include:
“The Devil and Tom Walker” from Tales of a Traveller (1824), by Washington Irving
“The White Old Maid” from Twice-Told Tales (1837), by Nathaniel Hawthorne
“A Ghost Story” (1870), by Mark Twain
“Lost in a Pyramid, or The Mummy’s Curse” (1869), by Louisa May Alcott
Reservations
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