City’s history to be explored during walking ‘ghost tour’ Oct. 14 and 15

ThisWeek CW 09/29/2011

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2011/09/28/citys-history-to-be-explored-during-walking-ghost-tour-oct–14-and-15.html

The Canal Winchester Historical Society will scare up some fun when it hosts its sixth annual “ghost tour” in downtown Canal Winchester Oct. 14 and 15.

Tours begin at Faith United Methodist Church, 15 West Columbus St. Tickets can be purchased on-site beginning at 6:30 p.m. The price is $5 for students ages 6 to 18, $10 for adults. There is no charge for children age 5 and younger.

The walking tours last approximately 90 minutes, with the last tour leaving the church at 7:30 p.m.

“We send people out in groups of 20 with a guide,” ghost tour committee member Joy Habegger said. “Volunteer actors at each of the six stops dress in period clothes and tell historical stories as well as a few novelty ghost stories.”

According to Habegger, the 7:30 p.m. tour is sponsored by Canal Winchester Human Services, which plans to provide a van so people who are unable to walk the tour can still participate.

“It always surprises me that we have kids of all ages each year,” she said. “People bring strollers for the little ones. For those adults that aren’t able to walk, the actors are good about coming onto the van so they don’t even have to leave their seat.”

The ghost tour is a benefit event for the historical society as well as an opportunity for people to learn more about the community. This year’s tour will include stops at what was once the Grimes Funeral Home, now the Insurance Circle, 44 S. High St.; the Interurban building at 80 W. Columbus St.; the Wigwam Restaurant, 4 S. High St.; David’s United Church of Christ, 80 W. Columbus St.; the Helpman-Chaney House at the west end of Columbus Street; and the old Canal Winchester High School building on Washington Street.

Habegger helped start the ghost tour six years ago and writes some of the scripts for the stops. She said attendance at the event has grown every year; last year, a couple hundred people attended.

“I just love this event because it makes you feel like you’re in old, small-town Americana. There are candles lighting the way with groups of people walking together and everything downtown has a nice glow,” Habegger said.

For more information, visit the historical society website at www.cwhistory.org.