Step Into the Supernatural at Rockford’s Haunted Mansion Event

If you love Rockford history with a side of goosebumps, you’ll want to mark your calendar for October 25 and 26, because one of the city’s most notoriously haunted spots is opening its doors for a rare ghostly tour.

Historical Mansions in Rockford

If you've ever driven by or visited the Burpee Museum of Natural History in Rockford, you've probably noticed the two beautiful, Victorian homes that sit on each side of the museum.

Both of these historic Rockford homes have some fascinating stories to share full of lavish parties and prominent people, but the most popular stories involve the paranormal.

Is the Barnes Mansion in Rockford Haunted?

Long-term Rockford residents will tell you both the Barnes Mansion and the Manny Mansion are extremely haunted, but for right now, let's focus on the Barnes Mansion.

Burpee.org says that when the Barnes Mansion was built in 1893:

It was one of the finest homes in Rockford, costing more than $30,000 at the time. A showplace with 15 rooms, a turret, two porticoes, and hand-carved solid cherry paneling in the foyer, reception area, and first-floor hallway. During the building of the home, W.F. Barnes employed local immigrants to assist with the intricate interior woodworking, paying anywhere from $0.50 to $1.00 per day for their labor.

This home is beautiful and well preserved, but it’s also notoriously haunted, and you can experience it firsthand this month.

'Haunted Burpee' and Barnes Mansion Tours

On October 25 and 26, the Burpee Museum of Natural History will be showing off its spooky side during its annual 'Haunted Burpee' event.

From creepy dissections to haunted graveyard flashlight tours, spooky experiments and Barnes Mansion tours, this event is perfect for all ages...as long as you're brave enough.

Tickets for the 'Haunted Burpee' event are $15 for adults, $13 for kids 4-12, kids three and under are free.

The Barnes Mansion Tour tickets cost $20 and include admission to the Haunted Burpee event — you’ll get more spooky bang for your buck! Go to burpee.org for more information.