MONROE, La. (KNOE) - “Historic Haunts: Partying for Preservation” will take place on Nov. 2 from 6 to 9 pm at Layton Castle, the Masur Museum of Art and the Cooley House in Monroe.
“This is all about celebrating and just getting awareness for our historic district and for some of these historic landmarks that we have here,” said Nirali Patel, main street director for the city of Monroe.
Patel said she heard from community members about doing a combined event with each of the three landmarks since they are close to each other on South Grand Street.
According to Patel, that’s how “Historic Haunts: Partying for Preservation” came to be.
“From what started off as a conversation about, you know, maybe doing some kind of day event that but into the evening, or like, some kind of day event that felt like a fall festival. We’re like, ‘Wait, we can do something a little bit more elevated,’” said Patel.
Attendees will be able to enjoy all sorts of different activities including a ghost tour of the family cemetery and a view of the historic residential level at Layton Castle.
Plus, they can make their way to the Masur Museum of Art for an art exhibit called “I’ll Be Right with You,” by Julie Crews along with live entertainment and an outdoor bazaar filled with local vendors.
At the Cooley House, people will have the chance to take a nighttime tour of the home and have a chance to enjoy an outdoor speakeasy on the lawn.
People are encouraged to come dressed in 1920s attire.
Patel explained the significance behind the dress code.
“The 1920s is around when Cooley House was finished and Masur was finished, but also, Layton being in the center of those two locations, they were partying. They were having a good time. It was the roaring 20’s,” said Patel.
People will also be able to buy some merchandise from each location with their admission ticket when they stop by.
Brian Davis, who serves as the board president of the Cooley House Foundation, said how these events will help support restoration efforts along with a federal grant called “Save America’s Treasures” that was received.
“Because of that grant from the National Park Service, we’re able to for every $50 ticket that is sold that, you know, a portion of that, a third of that, will go to the Cooley house, and we will double that through that Save America’s Treasures Grant,” said Davis.
Davis explained why people should come out to support the efforts behind these national landmarks.
“It’s really a chance for folks to remember that this is down here, and that these places can be used again. The more activities you have in them, the healthier the buildings are,” said Davis.
Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased here.
Parking will be available near the locations for those looking to attend.
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