Literally, a Haunted House at Culbertson Mansion (New Albany, IN)
“Memento Mori”
By Noah Wullkotte: Jollypumpkin@aol.com
A mysterious carriage house welcomes you inside to explore its oddities and experience classic fear. Souls are trapped wanting to be let out. Fog slowly engulfs the building and screams are heard within its hollow walls. This is Literally, a Haunted House at Culbertson Mansion where classic monsters of the black and white era want to meet you.
The steel doors of a cemetery gate slowly open. Moans and groans are heard in the distance as they come closer and closer. The recently deceased have become the living dead and they want to get an up close and personal view of the living. They’re hungry and their meal of choice is brains. Use the fire escape to find solace inside the carriage house, but be forewarned. What you are about to experience will alter your views of reality and may cause permanent psychological damage.
Literally, a Haunted House is unlike any haunt in Indiana. Each year, they use a new theme and most of scenes are brand new. This year’s theme is Classic Monsters & Horrors. Your hostess for the evening welcomes you to the carriage house and warns you of what you are about to experience. Clips from classic films like Plan 9 From Outer Space, Dracula and Nosferatu play in the background. Chose left or right. Hopefully you won’t hit a dead end.
The old carriage house is quite eerie. Around every corner is a classic horror movie scene with a twist. It can be a hit or miss when haunts use well known horror movies, but this isn’t the case with Culbertson Mansion. The scenes are well executed and it doesn’t come off as a cheesy imitation. Frankenstein’s Monster is very protective of his bride and will do anything to defend his soul mate. The Creature from the Black Lagoon has been held captive in a laboratory and is ready to kill. Mummies break out of their tombs and want to grab a hold of your throat.
Literally, a Haunted House features some very creepy scenes. One of our favorites is the witch being burned at the stake. It’s based on the Salem Witch Trials that took place between February 1692 and May 1693 in Salem, Massachusetts. Literally, a Haunted House sets itself apart from its competition by using some very unique effects. You’ll have a hard time finding a coffin ride like the one at Literally, a Haunted House or a spinning box where you go around and around until you can’t stand it anymore.
Most of the actors are great. There are a few that just scream, but they’re playing the victim role and this is what victims do. They get your attention by screaming their heads off. We were really impressed by this year’s Literally, a Haunted House. At $13, it’s one of the cheapest haunts in town and it’s also one of the most unique. Tour time is 11 minutes which is on the short side, but this can vary depending on how fast a person walks. All profits go towards restoring the interior of the Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site.
Please visit www.hauntedculbertson.org for information on their variety of events held throughout the fall season. These include Halloween Tea, Story Telling, Ghostly Happenings Tour and more. Literally, a Haunted House at Culbertson Mansion is one of the best haunts in Indiana and it’s located in one of the spookiest buildings around. It doesn’t have lots of blood and gore, but it doesn’t need it. It has a great theme and leaves a lasting impression.
Length-7 Design-8 Props/Animatronics-8 Acting-9 Scare Effect-9
Final Stab: 8.2
www.hauntedculbertson.org