By Jenny Corry
Spooky season is quickly approaching at Ireland House Museum! This October 25, Ireland House Museum invites you to a fun and frightful Friday night to celebrate the Halloween season. Anyone over the age of 19 is welcome to book for the “Spirits and Spirits” event!
The experience features a learning opportunity with appropriately-themed refreshments. Participants will tour Ireland House Museum as if in mourning, learning about Victorian funerary practices while sipping on signature cocktails with a base of Manns Botanical Spirits.
Next up will be a bonfire where guests will gather to learn about the Victorian pastime of tasseography, with an informative demonstration from Mystic Mojo. Tasseography is the practice of reading tea leaves to divine one’s future or fortunes, and while its history began in ancient China, it arrived in Europe and became especially popular in the Victorian era.
Throughout the Spirits and Spirits event, snacks and beverages will be provided, from signature tea-themed cocktails to
charcuterie, and traditional Victorian funerary desserts (mocktails will also be available).
The Ireland House tour takes you through the home of one of Burlington’s earliest settlers, Joseph Ireland. Joseph’s home housed him and many of his descendants between the time it was built, from 1835 to 1837, all the way up until 1985, before it was purchased by the City of Burlington.
To this day, 90% of the furniture in Ireland House is authentic to the Ireland family; real vintage furnishings were donated by Helen Ireland Caldwell, the cousin of the house’s latest owner, Marie Ireland Bush.
Tickets are $50/person ($45/members) and can be booked for 7:00 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Each time slot is about an hour long. These tickets include general admission to the museum as well as everything listed above. The night is spent partially outside so make sure to dress accordingly.
You can book your spot at this event here, via the Museums of Burlington website.
