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I was contaminated. :( |
Todd - Culbertson Mansion's annual haunt, named "Literally, A Haunted House at Culbertson Mansion," is a rare gem in the haunt world. Year after year we are impressed with what this talented and dedicated group of people can do in the confines of a small carriage house while changing the entire haunt.
This year's theme is "Toxic," so everything revolves around contamination and and the result thereof. Culbertson always provides some level of interactive introduction to the story; this year we were welcomed by a scientist who scanned each member of our party to determine who had been contaminated. Those that were found themselves going into a fun decontamination hallway before rejoining the group. Further in, things get a bit more grim. We started to see the rage exhibited in those who were infected, (mostly) contained to some form of enclosure trying with all of their might to get out - and some do, naturally. The aftermath is present as well, with bodies lining the floor of the postmortem disposal area and a not-quite-dead victim locked in the crematorium. Environmentally, as always, Culbertson's transformation was near-total to accommodate this years theme which served the purpose well enough.
This year I found the overall presentation to be the most chaotic yet. It seemed you didn't travel more than 15 feet without being engaged by someone or some thing. With an arguably overuse of drop panels and actors reaching out for you from numerous areas, it almost felt a little distracting, making it hard to really digest the story that was being laid out for us. Culbertson is conventionally one of the best haunts we experience when it comes to story and the supporting of that story throughout the haunt. This year I didn't feel that as much, likely due to the incessant chaotic atmosphere.
Credit must be given where it's due, so by no means should this crew be unhappy with this year's product. I still found myself smiling throughout and tickled at some of the crazy, unique ideas they came up with. The actors, as always, were quite good. I just felt with many of them being reserved to kicking and screaming against the confines of their walls or repeatedly telling us we were infected as we came through was a limit on their potential. The energy of Culbertson Mansion's carriage house surely lends better to the slower and more creepy themes of a haunt in my opinion, so this faster, more in-your-face experience was not necessarily what I expected. With limited physical room for this haunt, cramming that much action into certain scenes felt a little over-stimulating and perhaps lost on the creative ideas displayed in past years.
Nevertheless, the synergy of Culbertson's crew is undeniable. I know they truly are like family, pouring their blood, sweat and tears into that haunt every year, collectively. It's something to appreciate in this age of big-box haunts which can feel more commercial than passionate in their craft. This is all clearly evident every year, which is why no matter what theme or approach they take on, it will always be a delightful surprise.
This year's theme is "Toxic," so everything revolves around contamination and and the result thereof. Culbertson always provides some level of interactive introduction to the story; this year we were welcomed by a scientist who scanned each member of our party to determine who had been contaminated. Those that were found themselves going into a fun decontamination hallway before rejoining the group. Further in, things get a bit more grim. We started to see the rage exhibited in those who were infected, (mostly) contained to some form of enclosure trying with all of their might to get out - and some do, naturally. The aftermath is present as well, with bodies lining the floor of the postmortem disposal area and a not-quite-dead victim locked in the crematorium. Environmentally, as always, Culbertson's transformation was near-total to accommodate this years theme which served the purpose well enough.
This year I found the overall presentation to be the most chaotic yet. It seemed you didn't travel more than 15 feet without being engaged by someone or some thing. With an arguably overuse of drop panels and actors reaching out for you from numerous areas, it almost felt a little distracting, making it hard to really digest the story that was being laid out for us. Culbertson is conventionally one of the best haunts we experience when it comes to story and the supporting of that story throughout the haunt. This year I didn't feel that as much, likely due to the incessant chaotic atmosphere.
Credit must be given where it's due, so by no means should this crew be unhappy with this year's product. I still found myself smiling throughout and tickled at some of the crazy, unique ideas they came up with. The actors, as always, were quite good. I just felt with many of them being reserved to kicking and screaming against the confines of their walls or repeatedly telling us we were infected as we came through was a limit on their potential. The energy of Culbertson Mansion's carriage house surely lends better to the slower and more creepy themes of a haunt in my opinion, so this faster, more in-your-face experience was not necessarily what I expected. With limited physical room for this haunt, cramming that much action into certain scenes felt a little over-stimulating and perhaps lost on the creative ideas displayed in past years.
Nevertheless, the synergy of Culbertson's crew is undeniable. I know they truly are like family, pouring their blood, sweat and tears into that haunt every year, collectively. It's something to appreciate in this age of big-box haunts which can feel more commercial than passionate in their craft. This is all clearly evident every year, which is why no matter what theme or approach they take on, it will always be a delightful surprise.
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The best little haunt around! |
Paul - The haunt at the Culbertson Mansion (CM Haunt) is always one of my favorite visits. It's constructed in the carriage house behind the mansion, which is located in New Albany, IN; just across the river from Louisville. Their primary function in existing is to help fund the mansion's upkeep through the year, but I think that's just what they tell people. I'm pretty sure the real reason is solely to have an outlet for their haunt obsession!
The most amazing thing to me about CM Haunt (besides their consistent excellence) is that the theme is COMPLETELY changed from year to year. What's basically a no-budget charity haunt that manages to do that year after year... Almost unbelievable! While a lot of the layout is the same due to the construction of the building, they make changes to just about every room! This year's theme is Toxic Biohazard. The mold has been growing in the building for years and has finally taken over.
If the theme being changed here from year to year doesn't impress you, the actors sure will. Every time we visit, my favorite part of CM Haunt ends up being the acting. Sure they do some really innovative and creative things with the sets, and they work in some fantastic scares, but the acting is just outstanding. Almost everyone has very good dialogue and interaction with the group, the costumes and make-up are great, and they make themselves very memorable. My favorites this year are the Dr lady who reads you the rules at the very beginning and the admissions Dr in the first room, but there are actors all over the place who will make sure you know that you've been contaminated, there's no cure, and you're not making it out!
I love this haunt and I recommend it to just about anyone. It may be tough for people who have problems with stairs as there are quite a few of those, but to me, those just add to the realism of things. It's consistently one of my favorite haunts each year, and I highly suggest you check it out for yourself!
The most amazing thing to me about CM Haunt (besides their consistent excellence) is that the theme is COMPLETELY changed from year to year. What's basically a no-budget charity haunt that manages to do that year after year... Almost unbelievable! While a lot of the layout is the same due to the construction of the building, they make changes to just about every room! This year's theme is Toxic Biohazard. The mold has been growing in the building for years and has finally taken over.
If the theme being changed here from year to year doesn't impress you, the actors sure will. Every time we visit, my favorite part of CM Haunt ends up being the acting. Sure they do some really innovative and creative things with the sets, and they work in some fantastic scares, but the acting is just outstanding. Almost everyone has very good dialogue and interaction with the group, the costumes and make-up are great, and they make themselves very memorable. My favorites this year are the Dr lady who reads you the rules at the very beginning and the admissions Dr in the first room, but there are actors all over the place who will make sure you know that you've been contaminated, there's no cure, and you're not making it out!
I love this haunt and I recommend it to just about anyone. It may be tough for people who have problems with stairs as there are quite a few of those, but to me, those just add to the realism of things. It's consistently one of my favorite haunts each year, and I highly suggest you check it out for yourself!
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Something bad had obviously been going down and we were right in the middle of the aftermath |
Teresa - Literally, A Haunted House at the Culbertson Mansion in New Albany, Indiana is one of the haunts I look forward to the most every year. The main reason, is that they change it up so much from year to year. There's always a fresh theme, new costumes, new decor, and it's always creative and always tons of fun! This is a charity haunt put on by the Friends of the Culbertson Mansion and it is the main fundraiser to raise money for the restoration of the interior of the mansion. If you haven't ever been inside the Culbertson, the tour is excellent and the architecture is stunning. And if you're interested in ghost stories, they have a few real ones to tell! Check out the website for hours and tickets for that. And speaking of websites, I highly recommend you follow Literally, A Haunted House on Facebook, as they have lots of amusing posts throughout the year, not to mention clues as to the new theme for each season, and coupons and special events. I love how they set up each season's haunt throughout the spring and summer by giving you fun little updates.
The haunt itself is located in the carriage house behind the main house. There is easy parking if you turn down the street to the left of the house and go over the railroad tracks (heading toward the river), there's a small lot back there. Take time to walk around outside the mansion, as it is gorgeous when all lit up. The ticket booth is in the rear of the house, and when we were there, they also had tickets for story time and some snacks. We didn't do the story time, but I've enjoyed it in years past. Usually it was ghost stories or maybe an Edgar Allen Poe story, told inside the house, and then sometimes we'd get to hear some true accounts of ghosts that were encountered in the mansion. Some of those stories I will never forget! Anyway, there are covered tents for you to wait in after you get your tickets. There were creepy queue actors messing with us, sneaking around, and some fun fog bubbles while we waited. And you can't beat the view of the foggy cemetery, perfectly lit.
The theme this year is TOXIC. The doctor lady who greeted us explained that they were having issues with mold, which seemed to be spreading. She herself seemed a bit...compromised, as half of her face was covered in oozing pustules, which she ever-so-kindly touched and wiped on one of us. Gross! And as she told us what to expect, she kept giggling weirdly. This was no ordinary mold. We rushed through the graveyard, barely escaping some diseased lunatic, and up the stairs and into the house, where we were greeted by another doctor. This one had to scan us for contamination. Those of us who were found "contaminated" had to be separated and "decontaminated". We then encountered crazed patients, doctors, cleanup guys, and lots of mold. The actors and scenes were all very good. I almost felt like I was walking through an old tenement building with garbage everywhere. Something bad had obviously been going down and we were right in the middle of the aftermath. People were screaming for help and clearly dying, while grabbing for us. Others were evidently driven mad by the toxic mold and were trapped in rooms and cages, banging on walls to get out. There were some very creative props that I had to stop and marvel at. One poor girl was being incinerated. There's also a coffin for one "unlucky" member of the group. I won't spoil it, but the end is always quite the adrenaline rush.
If you haven't been here before, definitely check it out. And then check it out again next year. And the year after that. It will always be different, and as long as they keep doing what they're doing, it will always be great. The passion of the volunteers who put this on, really shows in the theming, scenes, decor, props, costumes, makeup, and acting. And it's for a great cause!
The haunt itself is located in the carriage house behind the main house. There is easy parking if you turn down the street to the left of the house and go over the railroad tracks (heading toward the river), there's a small lot back there. Take time to walk around outside the mansion, as it is gorgeous when all lit up. The ticket booth is in the rear of the house, and when we were there, they also had tickets for story time and some snacks. We didn't do the story time, but I've enjoyed it in years past. Usually it was ghost stories or maybe an Edgar Allen Poe story, told inside the house, and then sometimes we'd get to hear some true accounts of ghosts that were encountered in the mansion. Some of those stories I will never forget! Anyway, there are covered tents for you to wait in after you get your tickets. There were creepy queue actors messing with us, sneaking around, and some fun fog bubbles while we waited. And you can't beat the view of the foggy cemetery, perfectly lit.
The theme this year is TOXIC. The doctor lady who greeted us explained that they were having issues with mold, which seemed to be spreading. She herself seemed a bit...compromised, as half of her face was covered in oozing pustules, which she ever-so-kindly touched and wiped on one of us. Gross! And as she told us what to expect, she kept giggling weirdly. This was no ordinary mold. We rushed through the graveyard, barely escaping some diseased lunatic, and up the stairs and into the house, where we were greeted by another doctor. This one had to scan us for contamination. Those of us who were found "contaminated" had to be separated and "decontaminated". We then encountered crazed patients, doctors, cleanup guys, and lots of mold. The actors and scenes were all very good. I almost felt like I was walking through an old tenement building with garbage everywhere. Something bad had obviously been going down and we were right in the middle of the aftermath. People were screaming for help and clearly dying, while grabbing for us. Others were evidently driven mad by the toxic mold and were trapped in rooms and cages, banging on walls to get out. There were some very creative props that I had to stop and marvel at. One poor girl was being incinerated. There's also a coffin for one "unlucky" member of the group. I won't spoil it, but the end is always quite the adrenaline rush.
If you haven't been here before, definitely check it out. And then check it out again next year. And the year after that. It will always be different, and as long as they keep doing what they're doing, it will always be great. The passion of the volunteers who put this on, really shows in the theming, scenes, decor, props, costumes, makeup, and acting. And it's for a great cause!
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Just keeps getting better every year! |
Donna - Culbertson mansion Haunt Is truly a hidden gem of a haunted house. Every year Gary and crew change the Haunt add more surprises upgrade the visuals (the swamp scene was a treat!) And amp up the scare factor. This year the haunt felt longer to me, scarier, and the actors were more engaging than in the past. The place has a creepy vibe when you go in and the fact that it is truly a haunted house keeps you on the edge as you go through room after room of virus infected patients.
I highly recommend this haunt if you are in the Louisville or Jeffersonville Indiana area. They do a great job every year and it only keeps getting better.
I highly recommend this haunt if you are in the Louisville or Jeffersonville Indiana area. They do a great job every year and it only keeps getting better.