Edgar Allan Poe resurrected at Scripps

An evening of mystery and macabre awaits guests Halloween night when the William E. Scripps Estate will bring Edgar Allan Poe back from the grave.
Poe’s literary works, arguably the eeriest of classic literature, will set the tone for the evening ? a benefit for Guest House. Guest House offers support for clergy members dealing with addiction, and owns the Scripps Estate.
‘It’s a unique evening and a great opportunity to see the mansion in a different aspect, with a different focus,? said Sara Van Portfliet, of Orion Historical Society.
She adds that those who’ve already toured the mansion have never seen it like this.
‘A candlelight tour of the estate will highlight the grotesques and gargoyles of the mansion,? she said. ‘The headliner of the evening will be a presentation of Poe’s reading.?
Leslie Pielack, executive director and curator of the estate, says a professional reader will offer performances of Poe’s most chilling works.
‘I think that bringing great art and great literature to the historic mansion is a wonderful way to experience it,? she said.
To add to the evening guests are encouraged to create and wear traditional ‘masques? to the event.
‘We wanted to invite people to make or create their own traditional masques as a way to understand that form of entertainment from the historic time period,? said Pielack. ‘That was an important way for people to interact and recreate.?
She adds that the evening will be different from typical Halloween parties and costumes.
‘Hopefully people will be inspired and look back, to bring to the present something that still has a place ? something that’s more refined,? she said.
Guests who wear handmade masques have a chance to win a prize. For tips and ideas on masque-making, visit www.friendsofscrippsestate.org where Web links are posted.
Tickets to the spooky event at $60 with a $5 discount offered to Friends of Scripps. The evening will include a reception and refreshments at 8 p.m., masque competition at 8:45, guided candlelight tours at 9, and the reading performance and delicacies at 10.
And who knows ? maybe William E. Scripps himself will show up. The heir to Detroit News was a fan of American authors, according to Pielack.