Have you ever wondered what Halloween was like in Fayetteville a hundred or so years ago? Come and find out. The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex will give you a peek with Halloween Revels: Night Tours of the 1897 Poe House on October 17, 18, 24 and 25 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at The Poe House.

The 1897 Poe House is one of Fayetteville’s great educational resources. It is a part of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex and is the former home of Fayetteville businessman, Edgar Allen Poe (no relation to the author of the same name.) The home was built in 1897. Visitors to the Poe House can learn about life in Fayetteville during the early 1900s.

“We have partnered with the Gilbert Theater so we have actors from the Gilbert who portray members of the Poe Family,” said Megan Maxwell, 1897 Poe House education coordinator. “Those members are the father, mother, eight children and a few of the servants.”

Maxwell added that the actors portray a typical All Hallows’ Eve Night back in the early 1900s in the Poe House.

The fun event showcases the Poe House and takes visitors on a little trip back in time.

“It is something different than your typical scary, gory, haunted house,” said Maxwell. “This one is totally family-friendly that takes about 20 minutes to go through the house and see each of the vignettes that the actors perform.”

Maxwell added that the vignettes are ad lib and the actors were given a scenario and had to create their own scenes. There is a different scene in every room and the actors move throughout the house.

The Poe House was built in 1897 and it was the home of the Poe family. Poe owned a brick company in town and was very active in the community.

He and his wife, Josephine, had eight children. They had a cook named Nancy and a nurse named Jenny. They were a typical upper middle class family in Fayetteville during this time period. The house includes East Lake Victorian architecture and has been preserved throughout the years. It is a good depiction of life during the time period 1897-1917.

“It really feels like the house has been brought back to life as you move through it,” said Maxwell.

“We look forward to everyone coming to this event.”

The cost is $3 for ages 7 and up and is free for ages 6 and under. The tours will run every 20 minutes beginning at 6 p.m. with the last tour ending at 9 p.m.. For more information, call 486-1330.

The event promises to be a lot of fun — and interesting, too.