The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society will share real history in a scary setting during the 2023 ‘West Hartford Hauntings.’

By Ronni Newton

Mrs. Emily Webster Ellsworth – the daughter of Noah Webster – will return to town for a few weeks this October, expertly leading visitors on a lantern-lit tour of the Old North Cemetery in West Hartford, during which they will “meet” other town residents who have long-since departed the earth.

Ellsworth, who was born in 1790, will share stories and interact with guests and ghosts of the town’s past, including Dr. Horace Wells, who pioneered the use of nitrous oxide for alleviating pain during dental procedures.

The annual West Hartford Hauntings event is a popular activity for the entire family, but is recommended for ages 10 and up due to the scary content. The theatrical tours, hosted by the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society, are held in one of the town’s oldest burial grounds – Old North Cemetery – where many notable residents have been buried since it was established around 1790. Old North Cemetery is located at 80 North Main Street.

“Old cemeteries are some of the best places to encounter the past. Gravestones yield important examples of historical art and language and provide biographies of local residents,” the Noah Webster House said in an announcement of the event. Storylines for the event are developed based on researching gravestones, newspaper articles, death notices, and wills, resulting in a theatrical outdoor performance appropriate for the Halloween season.

There will be six performance dates of West Hartford Hauntings this year, spread over two weekends, and the event is held rain (or snow) or shine and guests are urged to dress appropriately. Dates are Oct. 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28. Tours depart from Old North Cemetery every 15 minutes between 6 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., and each tour lasts roughly 45 minutes. The 6 p.m. tour on Oct. 21 will include American Sign Language interpretation.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children, with discounts for Noah Webster House members and groups of 10 or more. The event traditionally sells out. Tickets, which are not refundable, can be purchased online at noahwebster.yapsody.com.

Refreshments and a limited selection of West Hartford Gift Shop and Hauntings-related merchandise will be offered for sale at the site.

Old North Cemetery signage. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

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