St. Augustine, FL — Just in time for fall and spooky season, the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, a circa 1798 former boarding house located on the oldest street in America, will hold candlelight tours entitled: Mourning and Mortality – A Century of Death. Tours will take place on select dates from September 30 through October 30 in historic St. Augustine, Florida.
Enjoy a guided spooky candlelight tour through the 223-year-old historic house museum and learn about the ways that St. Augustine townsfolk of the 1800s practiced medicine and mourning rituals from Spanish-American last rites, Victorian Spiritualism, to Afro-Caribbean practices. Learn how illnesses were treated with at-home remedies from our colonial garden and original 1798 kitchen. This is a family-friendly nighttime activity for anyone looking to get into the Halloween spirit.
Tours will take place every Friday and Saturday September 30-October 30 at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person. Tickets are available in advance. Please RSVP at www.ximenezfatiohouse.org/
A combo ticket that includes “Everyday Life” daytime Museum tours and the Mourning and Mortality tour can be purchased for just $20 per person. Details at www.ximenezfatiohouse.org
In addition to the Mourning and Mortality tours, other Halloween activities in October will include:
October 8: True Crime author Elizabeth Randell will give a talk about “Murder in St. Augustine: The Mysterious Death of Althalia Ponsell Lindsley” at 4 p.m. October 8 at the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, 20 Aviles Street. The murder remains unsolved. Discover the details of the murder that took place in historic St. Augustine, learn about the investigation, and who may have committed the crime — through research done by the author. The author will sign copies of the book, along with additional titles, “Women in White” and “Haunted St. Augustine and St. Johns County.” Call 904-829-3575 or visit ximenezfatiohouse.org
October 8 and October 30: The first ever overnight paranormal investigations of the Ximenez-Fatio House will be offered by A Night Among Ghosts, from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. Reserved for ages 18 and older, this experience will include the use of ghost hunting equipment, a guide familiar with the history of this house, and free roaming time throughout the property. The former boarding house has 13 documented deaths. Snacks, bottled water, sodas, coffee, midnight pizza, and a light continental breakfast also are included. Tickets and details at www.theoddmacabre.com/
October 22: A Night Among Ghosts will host a Victorian Parlor Night combined with a Mourning and Mortality Tour. Experience the candlelight tour and then enjoy a Victorian Era Parlor Night of seance style investigation. Details at www.theoddmacabre.com/
October 29: Trick-or-Treating for children will be available from 1-4 p.m. and includes a courtyard Harvest Festival with crafts, games, and a candy-apple bowl bar. Children can wear costumes and go trick-or-treating at every door of this 3-story former boarding house. Admission is free.
The Ximenez-Fatio House is located at 20 Aviles Street in historic St. Augustine, Florida. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and a Florida Heritage Landmark. The property is owned by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Florida, since 1939. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, with special night-time tours available on select dates. A gift shop is also on site, and the property and grounds can be reserved as a venue. Visit ximenezfatiohouse.org or call 904-829-3575.
