This October, Indiana Landmarks invites guests to get in the spirit of the spooky season on special tours through Indianapolis’s historic Woodruff Place and Old Northside neighborhoods highlighting haunting neighborhood tales—from local lore and true crime to creepy architecture and truly scary renovations.

On Friday evenings, explore Woodruff Place Historic District on atmospheric tours presented in collaboration with the Woodruff Place Civic League and Historic Woodruff Place Foundation. Guests will follow lantern-carrying guides on a twilight stroll featuring spooky insights and haunting historic tales from the neighborhood’s history. Known as the city’s first planned residential suburb, entrepreneur James O. Woodruff created the upscale, park-like neighborhood in 1872 with tree-lined esplanades and Victorian-era architecture that today feels straight out of central casting. Hear the sad tale of the neighborhood’s namesake, why his house was demolished, and why its ruins stood for 15 years before finally being removed. Learn about Indianapolis’s own Bates family, and the many tragedies that befell them.

WHAT: Woodruff Place Neighborhood Walking Tour

WHEN: Friday evenings, October 3-24, 5:30 to 8 p.m. EDT, departure times vary.

WHERE: 735 Woodruff Place East Drive, Indianapolis

COST: $20/general public, $17/Indiana Landmarks member, $15/child (ages 6-11), and free to children ages 5 and under.

RSVP: Visit www.indianalandmarks.org/event/woodruff-place-neighborhood-walking-tour/ or call 317-639-4534

On Saturday, October 18, the popular Old Northside Spooky Tour returns, presented by Indiana Landmarks in partnership with the Old Northside Association. Explore one of the city’s oldest residential neighborhoods, trick-or-treat at designated stops, and hear guides share stories ranging from true crime and local lore to spooky architecture and truly scary renovations. The guided two-hour tour features select building interiors, including a look inside Indiana Landmarks’ 1865 Morris-Butler House. Along the way, capture the spooky mood at photo stations and participate in a costume contest with your group before concluding the evening with hot cider, seasonal treats, and an eerie serenade of live organ music in Indiana Landmarks Center’s Grand Hall, featuring the site’s restored 1892 Sanborn organ.

WHAT: Old Northside Spooky Tour

WHEN: Saturday, October 18, 4:00 to 8:45 p.m. EDT, departure times vary

WHERE: Departing from Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Avenue, Indianapolis

COST: $23/general public, $20/Indiana Landmarks member, $17/child (age 6-11), free for children ages 5 and under.

RSVP: Visit www.indianalandmarks.org/event/old-northside-spooky-tour/ or call 317-639-4534.

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Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, strengthens connections to our diverse heritage, and saves meaningful places. With nine offices located throughout the state, Indiana Landmarks helps people rescue endangered landmarks and restore historic neighborhoods and downtowns. People who join Indiana Landmarks receive its bimonthly magazine, Indiana Preservation. For more information on the not-for-profit organization, call 317-639-4534, 800-450-4534, or visit www.indianalandmarks.org.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Kasey Zronek, Director of Volunteers and Heritage Experiences, Indiana Landmarks, 317-639-4534, kzronek@indianalandmarks.org

Mindi Woolman, Director of Marketing and Communications, Indiana Landmarks, 317-639-4534,  mwoolman@indianalandmarks.org