Stillwell Manor really is one of the last great traditional haunts in the Tri-State area. It’s conventional and classic with a fine balance of real, tangible atmospheres topped with some modern effects. The marvel of this haunt has always been just how well it is executed inside the shell of a 1980’s movie theater. With its sloped floors, Stillwell Manor always had a logistical challenge with builds. While over the years the theater interior became less and less evident, those good ol’ 25 degree declines throughout the haunt’s corridors have always been a permanent resident.
We arrived at Stillwell for their opening night. Opening night can be a risky visit for our team and owners alike. Kinks aren’t always ironed out; owners and managers are preoccupied with the inevitable list of things gone wrong and it can deter from an optimal review experience (though of course we take such considerations to mind). With this awareness, we were pleasantly surprised to find Stillwell Manor ready for its visitors with a cast of actors chomping at the bit to scare. They were fortunate to have a large cast right from the start with a high percentage of returning actors. They were energetic and animated.
Most impressively, it was almost unnoticeable that the haunt had started tearing down in July. There was a brief period where this season was believed to be scratched and the building had to be evacuated. Fortunately for fans, an agreement was made to allow this season to go on and a chunk of the haunt had to be reconstructed. For this reason, you will find that only two of the three attractions are open – the O.G. Stillwell Manor and Tantibus.
This season is the last for Stillwell Manor as we know it. As November arrives, the haunt will be vacated from the theater and moved to a yet-to-be-determined location. Make no mistake – wherever the haunt finds its new home, it will not be an exact recreation.
Walking through the Manor one last time, I really tried to take it all in. It’s ironic how after all the years of refinement, for me, everything had just really come together - all to be dismantled. As I look back at entry room, bedrooms, the mausoleum, etc., it’s fascinating how legitimate many of these rooms feel with the countless pieces of furniture and décor. The variety of scenes has always been impressive as well. Tantibus surprised me too this year; I left thinking this is the best I’ve ever seen it executed.
From a sensory aspect, these haunts always have had an efficient lightning scheme. There aren’t lights everywhere, nor is it much too dark. Lights are positioned in many of the right places to give you a sense of your environment, while keeping secrets in the shadows. Sound has always been an enigma at Stillwell Manor. Many areas of the haunt are quiet and at times it feels unnaturally quiet, too quiet. There are times you can hear the screams of other patrons a few areas over. On the other hand, the lack of ambient sound can aid in the anticipation of the next surprise, hearing every little scuffle ahead. I suppose I never really sided on which way I think it should be, but like many things in this haunt, the quiet is character of its own.
Stillwell Manor is a haunt built on family, friendship and community. It’s special because as the haunt world evolves with technological reliance, the roots of haunting are fading and there’s something about the slow-burn of a traditional haunted house that can’t be mimicked by flashing lights and LCD screens. These are the things that really make Stillwell Manor special and I’m going to miss it. Of course, this isn’t the true end, but the wonky uniqueness of this theater-turned haunt has reached its final chapter and you shouldn’t miss it.
Hold on to your belongings and hit the slide one last time.
We arrived at Stillwell for their opening night. Opening night can be a risky visit for our team and owners alike. Kinks aren’t always ironed out; owners and managers are preoccupied with the inevitable list of things gone wrong and it can deter from an optimal review experience (though of course we take such considerations to mind). With this awareness, we were pleasantly surprised to find Stillwell Manor ready for its visitors with a cast of actors chomping at the bit to scare. They were fortunate to have a large cast right from the start with a high percentage of returning actors. They were energetic and animated.
Most impressively, it was almost unnoticeable that the haunt had started tearing down in July. There was a brief period where this season was believed to be scratched and the building had to be evacuated. Fortunately for fans, an agreement was made to allow this season to go on and a chunk of the haunt had to be reconstructed. For this reason, you will find that only two of the three attractions are open – the O.G. Stillwell Manor and Tantibus.
This season is the last for Stillwell Manor as we know it. As November arrives, the haunt will be vacated from the theater and moved to a yet-to-be-determined location. Make no mistake – wherever the haunt finds its new home, it will not be an exact recreation.
Walking through the Manor one last time, I really tried to take it all in. It’s ironic how after all the years of refinement, for me, everything had just really come together - all to be dismantled. As I look back at entry room, bedrooms, the mausoleum, etc., it’s fascinating how legitimate many of these rooms feel with the countless pieces of furniture and décor. The variety of scenes has always been impressive as well. Tantibus surprised me too this year; I left thinking this is the best I’ve ever seen it executed.
From a sensory aspect, these haunts always have had an efficient lightning scheme. There aren’t lights everywhere, nor is it much too dark. Lights are positioned in many of the right places to give you a sense of your environment, while keeping secrets in the shadows. Sound has always been an enigma at Stillwell Manor. Many areas of the haunt are quiet and at times it feels unnaturally quiet, too quiet. There are times you can hear the screams of other patrons a few areas over. On the other hand, the lack of ambient sound can aid in the anticipation of the next surprise, hearing every little scuffle ahead. I suppose I never really sided on which way I think it should be, but like many things in this haunt, the quiet is character of its own.
Stillwell Manor is a haunt built on family, friendship and community. It’s special because as the haunt world evolves with technological reliance, the roots of haunting are fading and there’s something about the slow-burn of a traditional haunted house that can’t be mimicked by flashing lights and LCD screens. These are the things that really make Stillwell Manor special and I’m going to miss it. Of course, this isn’t the true end, but the wonky uniqueness of this theater-turned haunt has reached its final chapter and you shouldn’t miss it.
Hold on to your belongings and hit the slide one last time.
Our 2023 visit to Stillwell Manor was a little bit bittersweet. After a very long run in their current ex-movie-theater location, they'll be moving to another location for the 2024 season. While I'm excited to see what they can do with a blank slate in a new location, part of Stillwell's uniqueness is having to walk through on that awkwardly-sloped floor! Hopefully the next location will have something odd as well- maybe some escalators to nowhere, a collapsed corn silo, or a stream running right through the middle of it.
But while this was likely the final visit to this location, I feel like it was also one of the better ones.
The sets were great as always, with an almost unbelievably large number of props throughout and an uncomfortable quietness through most of it that's way more unnerving than you would expect. The actors did great jobs with just the right amount of interaction, jump-scaring, and wit- plus they had some really unique hiding places to pop out of and startle the heck out of you. It was the Stillwell Manor we know and love, and it was great to take one last stroll (and slide) through the manor in its current form.
This is it! The 2023 Halloween season is your last chance to stumble up and down the slanted floors in one of the most unique haunted houses around. Get to Anderson Indiana and see Stillwell Manor in what may be its finest form ever!
But while this was likely the final visit to this location, I feel like it was also one of the better ones.
The sets were great as always, with an almost unbelievably large number of props throughout and an uncomfortable quietness through most of it that's way more unnerving than you would expect. The actors did great jobs with just the right amount of interaction, jump-scaring, and wit- plus they had some really unique hiding places to pop out of and startle the heck out of you. It was the Stillwell Manor we know and love, and it was great to take one last stroll (and slide) through the manor in its current form.
This is it! The 2023 Halloween season is your last chance to stumble up and down the slanted floors in one of the most unique haunted houses around. Get to Anderson Indiana and see Stillwell Manor in what may be its finest form ever!
Ever wonder what could be scarier than ghosts, werewolves and clowns? Probably moving those ghosts, werewolves, clowns and their 30,000 sq. ft. home! Rumor has it, Stillwell Manor has to vacate after a human skeleton was found in the building… Just kidding, I made that up. But I am sure they will discover a lost skelly or two as they start packing up!
Stillwell manor has a special way of making the haunt experience feel personal. You are immersed into their world from the first step through the manor doors. One of my favorite parts was the bright white room with just the one mental patient. I wondered if this was a room they couldn’t get back together after the tear down, and just decided to get creative with the blank space. It was a great set, super spooky, and works perfectly since there is nothing in there to break down.
Even though they were mid breakdown earlier in the year, Stillwell Manor managed to pull off another great haunt this season. The team put on an awesome production. It shows the love and dedication they have for the place. Looking forward to what their creativity and a blank slate might manifest in the future.
Stillwell manor has a special way of making the haunt experience feel personal. You are immersed into their world from the first step through the manor doors. One of my favorite parts was the bright white room with just the one mental patient. I wondered if this was a room they couldn’t get back together after the tear down, and just decided to get creative with the blank space. It was a great set, super spooky, and works perfectly since there is nothing in there to break down.
Even though they were mid breakdown earlier in the year, Stillwell Manor managed to pull off another great haunt this season. The team put on an awesome production. It shows the love and dedication they have for the place. Looking forward to what their creativity and a blank slate might manifest in the future.
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Stillwell Manor, a haunted house unlike any other, has garnered a reputation for its unique blend of tradition and innovation within the world of haunted attractions. Nestled within the quirky confines of a former 1980's movie theater, Stillwell Manor has captivated visitors with its unconventional setting, marked by notoriously sloped floors that added an eerie dimension to the experience. Despite the logistical challenges posed by this location, the haunt consistently delivered spine-tingling thrills and chills, becoming a beloved staple in the Tri-State area. In its 2023 season, Stillwell Manor will face both the bittersweet farewell to its iconic theater home and finding a new location.
However, in this last season at the theater, the haunt proved resilient, with an energetic cast of actors and meticulously designed sets that maintained the hallmark atmosphere of dread. For patrons fortunate enough to visit during this final season, it will be an opportunity to savor the haunt's nostalgic charm, reflect on its roots in the traditional haunted house experience while eagerly anticipating the evolution that awaits in a new location for 2024. As Stillwell Manor's curtains prepare to close on its long-standing theater chapter, its legacy endures as a testament to the enduring appeal of old-school scares and the enduring sense of community that has defined it. Amidst the ever-evolving landscape of modern haunts replete with technological wizardry, Stillwell Manor's enduring charm lies in its ability to invoke terror through the subtle, quiet moments, punctuated by the occasional heart-pounding jump scare. The haunt's dedication to preserving the traditions of haunting, built upon family bonds and community, sets it apart in a world increasingly defined by high-tech thrills. As the haunt transitions to a new venue, patrons and enthusiasts alike are reminded not to miss the final opportunity to experience the quirks and scares of Stillwell Manor's theatrical haunt, savoring the wonky uniqueness of a bygone era before the curtain falls on this memorable chapter in the world of haunted attractions. |
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