Literally, a Haunted House at Culbertson Mansion (New Albany, IN)
“28 Seasons of Fear and Fun”
By Noah Wullkotte: Jollypumpkin@aol.com
Culbertson Mansion is one of Indiana’s most famous landmarks that’s been around for nearly 150 years. In 1985, a haunted attraction was set up inside the mansion, but was later moved to the carriage house in 1987. For 28 seasons, Literally, a Haunted House has been scaring the socks off of families and friends with its blend of unique scares and spooky atmosphere. There are rumors of ghosts that haunt the Culbertson Mansion and Carriage House. Will you meet these angry spirits?
A spooky Mansion is illuminated with blue lighting and a haunted carriage house sits behind it. The carriage house is home to unspeakable atrocities and evil beings that are waiting for your arrival. Do you have enough courage to step inside?
The last time we toured the haunted house was in 2006. Every year they have a different theme or change many of their scenes to keep the haunt exciting for returning customers. This year’s theme is “Old Toys”. We showed up around 10 pm and there were plenty of customers lining up and ready to enjoy some old fashioned Halloween fun. We first entered their ticket area where there’s a variety of items for sale at reasonable prices. Many of the food items are under $1 like popcorn which is 50 cents. There are also makeup accessories, Culbertson Mansion Cups and more.
After we got our tickets, we entered the tent area and waited for our turn to enter the haunt. While waiting, you’ll be entertained by different actors like a zombie with her 2 doll babies. Their names are Madeline and Lois. On the wall is a list of personal dampening, quitters, pukers, craptastrophies, criers and black outs. Hopefully you won’t end up on that list. Next to the wall is a table with a tv monitor showing an open coffin. You’ll find out what the coffin is used for soon enough.
It was great seeing the different age groups that purchased tickets. You had families with their children, teenagers that were on dates and older adults that were looking for a good time on a chilly fall night. The group of girls in front of us were petrified of the queue line actors. I was surprised they were able to enter the haunt without passing out. After waiting about 45 minutes it was our turn to experience Literally, a Haunted House at Culbertson Mansion.
The haunt begins as old iron gates open and you enter a foggy cemetery. The cemetery has been taken over by the living dead and you pray that you’ll make it out alive. Flesh eaters get closer and are ready to take a bite or two. All you hear is moaning and cries from zombies that are hungry for brains and a little warm flesh. Your prayers have been answered and thankfully you’re able to escape.
You’ll walk up an old rickety fire escape that leads to a satanic ceremony where you’ll step inside a Ouija Board. Blood drips down the wall while possessed children put a spell on the carriage house. Your fate is sealed. This is a very theatrical haunt with a great group of actors and some frightening scenes. You’ll experience rooms like a haunted nursery with a corpse mother and her corpse baby or a haunted bedroom with a large baby dressed as a doll. This is a creepy haunt that can be quite scary at times.
You’ll enter a scene that looks like it was taken straight from the movie “Silent Hill”. If you have a fear of half dead nurses then you better hide your face. The creature that’s eating a patient was a great added touch. This is a very creative haunt with scenes I haven’t seen anywhere else. There’s not another haunt in Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana that features a coffin ride that has you gliding down a track or a mystery box you must enter.
It’s quite obvious that the creators put a lot of thought into making their haunt standout from other attractions. It’s a great attraction that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. The Tour time is 10 minutes and tickets are $13 a piece making it one of the most reasonable attractions in the Kentuckiana area. A $2 off coupon is available at www.louisvillehalloween.com.
All proceeds from the haunt go towards restoring Culbertson Mansion. Different events are held at Culbertson Mansion throughout October. This includes story telling, Halloween Tea, Ghostly Happenings Tour and Ghostly Undertaking Sleepover. Please visit www.hauntedculbertson.org for more information.
Literally, a Haunted House has improved a lot since our last visit. We highly recommend that you consider them when deciding which haunts to tour this Halloween season. You won’t be disappointed.
Length-7 Design-8 Props/Animatronics-8 Acting-9 Scare Effect-9
Final Stab: 8.2
www.hauntedculbertson.org