Haunted Mansion Tours to be Held at Baker Mansion

Baker Mansion is hosting a Haunted Tour by candlelight of the mansion, which will be held Oct. 14 and 15 and Oct. 21 and 22 from 7 to 10 p.m.

Kate Rimbeck, executive director of The Blair County Historical Society and the Baker Mansion History Museum, said, "We are turning off the lights to the mansion and we are giving the participants an LED lantern and sending them through the mansion to hear stories about the hauntings of the mansion based on research, facts and first-hand experience."

In the 20- to 30-minute tour, attendees will hear stories of the voices heard in the basement, which is a first-hand account of JABA Paranormal's investagtion, according to Rimbeck.

JABA Paranormal is a small group interested in paranormal activity based in Altoona. The group investigates all of Pennsylvania.

Those on the tour will also hear the true history of the infamous haunted wedding dress.

Rimbeck added that organizers did a lot of research, including investigating the many letters left behind by the Bakers. The historical society was able to find out who may be haunting and why they're haunting. The society will also speak about a lady dancing around in a white wedding dress.

"Anna Baker didn't have a wedding dress. So, we find out who that might be," Rimbeck said.

Some other events taking place this Halloween season include a lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the Sanctuary at the Arts Altoona Center at 7 p.m. Folklorist and artist Michael Allison will present "Monsters of the Appalachains: Folktales of Supernatural Creatures."

Lantern walking tours will be held on Oct. 25 and 27, both starting at 7 p.m. The first will take place in downtown Altoona. Allison will be presenting a walking tour of different buildings and history in downtown Altoona. It begins on the sidewalk of the Mishler Theatre.

The second will be a walking tour of the Allegheny Furnace. It starts at the Baker Mansion Visitor Center. It will go through Elias Baker's former property and then through the mansion yard and then through the neighborhood down to where the Allegheny Furnace is located. This tour will focus on stories and folklore, as well as the haunted history of that area.

For more information and a complete list of events, visit the Blair County Historical Society's website at http://www.blairhistory.org.