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A required stop! |
Todd - Stillwell Manor (SM) has become a Haunted House Tour staple - and for good reason. We’ve watched this haunt grow and improve year after year and simply put, it’s unique - yet homely. It’s a haunt that is built with genuine ingenuity with a supporting staff that makes you remember that good people make great experiences.
Stillwell Manor’s primary attraction, the longest by far, shares its namesake with the haunt. One of the two secondary haunts, Tantibus, is closed for the 2020 season. If you’re not yet aware, this haunt resides in a stripped out movie theater of the 1980’s era. It was the old-school kind; pre-stadium seating, no self-serve snack counters and carpet patterns that you might see on reruns of Saved By The Bell (kids, do your research). Years ago, Stillwell Manor was very clearly a haunted attraction housed within a movie theater. Today, it’s a haunt with the bricks and mortar reminiscent of a movie theater built around it. I don’t intend to compose a retrospect, but this year it dawned on me how I am no longer reminded of what this space used to be. The build has reached the point where it is so immersive that really, it could be anywhere.
This haunt has honed in on a very delicate balance between using light to show off what you should be afraid of and taking that light away, making you even more apprehensive of the very same thing. SM is easily one of the darkest haunts we go through. By no means is it a blackout and there are few areas where you’ll need to rely on your other senses to proceed. However, it’s dim - in the best way. I’ve always found SM to be fascinating for the sheer amount of authentic items found inside. You’ll find the use of real furniture, real decorations, real appliances - all that compose an uncomforting setting as-is. Add that one single, dim, blue light to a room of these things and the shadows grow, the dark corners enlarge and although you can see what’s around you, that doesn’t make it any better. There are moments when it’s damn dark, sure. That only adds to the apprehensive fun.
SM is a longer than average haunt offering just about all settings you can imagine. A library, trophy room, swamp, a life-size dollhouse and dining room are all just some of the various scenes within. It’s also home to one of the best mausoleum builds I’ve ever seen. Rather than inundating you with sound in every area or blaring metal music, many parts of SM are quiet, sometimes dead quiet. I’m always on the fence whether it’s too quiet at times, but this pairs with the ambiance in many areas and helps aid that sense of apprehension.
The actors are energetic in their delivery, though most do not have speaking parts with long dialogues. Some of the hidden actors keep to the safe “Argh”s as they jump out and others will deliver a few general lines in regards to their setting (such as the kid in the bedroom yelling “Mommy? Daddy?”). A few really stood out in their non-verbal performance - twitching, convulsing, jumping across the room, screaming or laughing maniacally (ok, maybe that counts as verbal). The star performance was the window at the very end grieving her husband and cracking jokes. Her delivery was highly entertaining and a great finale.
The other attraction open this year is Forsaken. It’s significantly shorter than Stillwell Manor but still manages to carry a storyline. It boils down to a mad doctor wants to use you for a regenerative experiment. Along the way you’ll encounter various oddities and previous victims warning you to turn back before it’s too late...and then of course, it becomes too late when you’re trapped in a large chamber and exposed to his toxin. The actor playing the doctor was very energetic in his delivery and sadly, was the only memorable actor in this part, for me. The majority of this area remains the same as last year, as best I can remember, aside from an expanded area towards the end.
In regards to Forsaken and Tantibus, it’s a shame Tantibus is closed this year as I’ve always felt it was the better of the two. However, Stillwell Manor alone is worth the trip - so much so for us, that we literally drive out of our way at least for an hour or two every year to stop by because it’s so fun. It’s a special place too. The owners and staff are always asking patrons if they had a good time as they pass through the central crossroads area between haunts or on the way out. It’s a very welcoming environment that I look forward to every season.
Stillwell Manor’s primary attraction, the longest by far, shares its namesake with the haunt. One of the two secondary haunts, Tantibus, is closed for the 2020 season. If you’re not yet aware, this haunt resides in a stripped out movie theater of the 1980’s era. It was the old-school kind; pre-stadium seating, no self-serve snack counters and carpet patterns that you might see on reruns of Saved By The Bell (kids, do your research). Years ago, Stillwell Manor was very clearly a haunted attraction housed within a movie theater. Today, it’s a haunt with the bricks and mortar reminiscent of a movie theater built around it. I don’t intend to compose a retrospect, but this year it dawned on me how I am no longer reminded of what this space used to be. The build has reached the point where it is so immersive that really, it could be anywhere.
This haunt has honed in on a very delicate balance between using light to show off what you should be afraid of and taking that light away, making you even more apprehensive of the very same thing. SM is easily one of the darkest haunts we go through. By no means is it a blackout and there are few areas where you’ll need to rely on your other senses to proceed. However, it’s dim - in the best way. I’ve always found SM to be fascinating for the sheer amount of authentic items found inside. You’ll find the use of real furniture, real decorations, real appliances - all that compose an uncomforting setting as-is. Add that one single, dim, blue light to a room of these things and the shadows grow, the dark corners enlarge and although you can see what’s around you, that doesn’t make it any better. There are moments when it’s damn dark, sure. That only adds to the apprehensive fun.
SM is a longer than average haunt offering just about all settings you can imagine. A library, trophy room, swamp, a life-size dollhouse and dining room are all just some of the various scenes within. It’s also home to one of the best mausoleum builds I’ve ever seen. Rather than inundating you with sound in every area or blaring metal music, many parts of SM are quiet, sometimes dead quiet. I’m always on the fence whether it’s too quiet at times, but this pairs with the ambiance in many areas and helps aid that sense of apprehension.
The actors are energetic in their delivery, though most do not have speaking parts with long dialogues. Some of the hidden actors keep to the safe “Argh”s as they jump out and others will deliver a few general lines in regards to their setting (such as the kid in the bedroom yelling “Mommy? Daddy?”). A few really stood out in their non-verbal performance - twitching, convulsing, jumping across the room, screaming or laughing maniacally (ok, maybe that counts as verbal). The star performance was the window at the very end grieving her husband and cracking jokes. Her delivery was highly entertaining and a great finale.
The other attraction open this year is Forsaken. It’s significantly shorter than Stillwell Manor but still manages to carry a storyline. It boils down to a mad doctor wants to use you for a regenerative experiment. Along the way you’ll encounter various oddities and previous victims warning you to turn back before it’s too late...and then of course, it becomes too late when you’re trapped in a large chamber and exposed to his toxin. The actor playing the doctor was very energetic in his delivery and sadly, was the only memorable actor in this part, for me. The majority of this area remains the same as last year, as best I can remember, aside from an expanded area towards the end.
In regards to Forsaken and Tantibus, it’s a shame Tantibus is closed this year as I’ve always felt it was the better of the two. However, Stillwell Manor alone is worth the trip - so much so for us, that we literally drive out of our way at least for an hour or two every year to stop by because it’s so fun. It’s a special place too. The owners and staff are always asking patrons if they had a good time as they pass through the central crossroads area between haunts or on the way out. It’s a very welcoming environment that I look forward to every season.
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No matter how many times I experience Stillwell Manor, I always want to come back for more. |
Paul - Stillwell manor is consistently one of the best haunts we visit year after year, and this year was no exception.
Located about 40 minutes Northwest of downtown Indianapolis, Stillwell has taken over an old movie theater in the small town of Anderson. Ordinarily there are 3 separate haunts inside, but this year there were some covid restrictions put in place that dropped Tantibus out of the rotation. Luckily you still get to experience General Stillwell's place, which is the main attraction.
The Stillwell Manor portion of the haunt is one of my favorites we see every year. As you travel through the General's home, you encounter so many freaks it's no wonder his wife lost her mind. Room after creepy room of some of the craziest lunatics you've ever social distanced from. Not only does the experience impress every year, it changes every year. It seems that the route you take through the house gets modified every visit, and whoever inherited the house from the General is still adding on to it. The mausoleum and the doll room are my favorite scenes from this year, followed by the best laser-fog-swamp that we've encountered pretty much anywhere in the region.
The second portion this year is Forsaken. This is an interactive haunt where your experience changes based on the conversations you have with the residents. If you cooperate with them you'll be abused; if you don't cooperate with them you'll be extra abused. It's a really weird and varied journey that I think is slightly less impactful this year due to no contact being allowed. Last year I remember quite a bit more intensity toward the end, but it was still a pretty heart-pounding attraction.
Stillwell Manor really is an attraction that's 100% worth visiting. There's a huge parking lot, a really nice place to wait, super friendly management, and some of the best haunted experiences around. We drive there from Cincinnati every year and have never regretted it. Stillwell should definitely be on your haunt bucket list!
Located about 40 minutes Northwest of downtown Indianapolis, Stillwell has taken over an old movie theater in the small town of Anderson. Ordinarily there are 3 separate haunts inside, but this year there were some covid restrictions put in place that dropped Tantibus out of the rotation. Luckily you still get to experience General Stillwell's place, which is the main attraction.
The Stillwell Manor portion of the haunt is one of my favorites we see every year. As you travel through the General's home, you encounter so many freaks it's no wonder his wife lost her mind. Room after creepy room of some of the craziest lunatics you've ever social distanced from. Not only does the experience impress every year, it changes every year. It seems that the route you take through the house gets modified every visit, and whoever inherited the house from the General is still adding on to it. The mausoleum and the doll room are my favorite scenes from this year, followed by the best laser-fog-swamp that we've encountered pretty much anywhere in the region.
The second portion this year is Forsaken. This is an interactive haunt where your experience changes based on the conversations you have with the residents. If you cooperate with them you'll be abused; if you don't cooperate with them you'll be extra abused. It's a really weird and varied journey that I think is slightly less impactful this year due to no contact being allowed. Last year I remember quite a bit more intensity toward the end, but it was still a pretty heart-pounding attraction.
Stillwell Manor really is an attraction that's 100% worth visiting. There's a huge parking lot, a really nice place to wait, super friendly management, and some of the best haunted experiences around. We drive there from Cincinnati every year and have never regretted it. Stillwell should definitely be on your haunt bucket list!
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I love the feel of the dark mansion, with its creaky floors, dark passages, and unrestful spirits. |
Teresa - Stillwell Manor is a fantastic haunted attraction located in an old theater in Anderson, Indiana (which is NE of Indianapolis between Indy and Muncie). This is one of our regular stops every year because it is always so much fun! Ticket prices are very reasonable and tickets can be purchased online or at the new ticket booth (which I love - it absolutely adds character! Be sure to see it in our photos). It looks like an old ticket stand like you'd see at any carnival in decades past where you'd get those long strips of paper tickets for rides and games. You know, life before coronavirus? Due to COVID this year, certain portions of the haunt are closed, but there is still plenty to see here. If you haven't been here before, you wouldn't even realize you're missing anything. The queue is virtual, so all you need to do is get your tickets and you can wait in your car until it is your turn. This is one of the few things that I actually like that has evolved during this pandemic. There are some creepy scenes outside the building for photo ops on your way in or out. You can even find food trucks on occasion, though we are usually there too late for that.
When you enter, the old waiting area (which sadly must be enjoyed much quicker now, since you don't wait long) looks like it is located in front of an old castle or manor. It's very cool. Then you will be greeted by a Voodoo priestess who gives you the backstory of the haunt. She has conjured up spirits trying to determine what happened to General Stillwell and his family. Unfortunately, she has conjured much more than she intended. You enter through this creaky porch and face these conjurations face to face! These "creatures" are so engaging! I was so entertained by their antics. Some lead, some mislead, some laugh (so much it is disturbing) as you make your way through the rooms of the General's mansion. The animatronics are well-placed and the effects are quite good. There was a super-creepy room with dolls; there was a bedroom with a child who looked possessed; a trophy room with stuffed animals, heads, and skeletons; the master bedroom with its moldy closet; and we even found ourselves behind the walls. I have to say the growling can be quite unnerving next to you in the dark. I think one guy wanted to make us into Hasenpfeffer (that's rabbit stew for those who haven't over-indulged in Yosemite Sam cartoons). After traversing the rooms of the house, we found ourselves outside the manor (still inside the building). We walked through some kind of swamp or mire. I do love a good laser swamp and the creatures who lurk there. Your path continues through some catacombs and to the Stillwell burial grounds with cemetery gates and marble monuments. Then on to some outbuildings, like a garage, workshop, and the like where you try not to be killed and/or eaten. And you STILL haven't found your way out of this nightmare! It doesn't help that we always manage to get lost at some point in this place and have to laugh when someone finally shows us the actual way out. There are more buildings, offices, a funeral parlor (loved this one), and more before you finally find yourself in the old theater lobby, where you can catch your breath and take a short break before entering Forsaken.
The second part of the attraction this year is Forsaken. This has been a touch optional haunt in the past, but due to the COVID, must remain non-touch this year. Forsaken finds you among freaks being hunted by the evil Dr. Stinson. Some are helpful, and some...not so much. One told us to be careful...or not; she really didn't care. I really loved some of the unique costumes and characters this year. One was like some Irish forest witch who gave us directions to keep us from getting lost, and one was wearing this creepy burlap mouse costume. This haunt has always been more interactive. Your experience depends on what freaks are around and what moods they are in. As we tried to avoid the evil doctor and find our way out, we were given a "treatment" and only told much later, that in a few days we'd have no choice but to join the freak show. I wonder, will you be there? We'll be waiting for you!
The haunts at Stillwell Manor remain some of my favorites to see every year. It's dark, creepy, creative, and the creatures here love to interact. They really bring "life" to these dusty old chambers. I love the feel of the dark mansion, with its creaky floors, dark passages, and unrestful spirits. I love interacting with the surprising freaks and creatures created by the evil Dr. Stinson and wondering who to trust. Definitely check this place out if you can!
When you enter, the old waiting area (which sadly must be enjoyed much quicker now, since you don't wait long) looks like it is located in front of an old castle or manor. It's very cool. Then you will be greeted by a Voodoo priestess who gives you the backstory of the haunt. She has conjured up spirits trying to determine what happened to General Stillwell and his family. Unfortunately, she has conjured much more than she intended. You enter through this creaky porch and face these conjurations face to face! These "creatures" are so engaging! I was so entertained by their antics. Some lead, some mislead, some laugh (so much it is disturbing) as you make your way through the rooms of the General's mansion. The animatronics are well-placed and the effects are quite good. There was a super-creepy room with dolls; there was a bedroom with a child who looked possessed; a trophy room with stuffed animals, heads, and skeletons; the master bedroom with its moldy closet; and we even found ourselves behind the walls. I have to say the growling can be quite unnerving next to you in the dark. I think one guy wanted to make us into Hasenpfeffer (that's rabbit stew for those who haven't over-indulged in Yosemite Sam cartoons). After traversing the rooms of the house, we found ourselves outside the manor (still inside the building). We walked through some kind of swamp or mire. I do love a good laser swamp and the creatures who lurk there. Your path continues through some catacombs and to the Stillwell burial grounds with cemetery gates and marble monuments. Then on to some outbuildings, like a garage, workshop, and the like where you try not to be killed and/or eaten. And you STILL haven't found your way out of this nightmare! It doesn't help that we always manage to get lost at some point in this place and have to laugh when someone finally shows us the actual way out. There are more buildings, offices, a funeral parlor (loved this one), and more before you finally find yourself in the old theater lobby, where you can catch your breath and take a short break before entering Forsaken.
The second part of the attraction this year is Forsaken. This has been a touch optional haunt in the past, but due to the COVID, must remain non-touch this year. Forsaken finds you among freaks being hunted by the evil Dr. Stinson. Some are helpful, and some...not so much. One told us to be careful...or not; she really didn't care. I really loved some of the unique costumes and characters this year. One was like some Irish forest witch who gave us directions to keep us from getting lost, and one was wearing this creepy burlap mouse costume. This haunt has always been more interactive. Your experience depends on what freaks are around and what moods they are in. As we tried to avoid the evil doctor and find our way out, we were given a "treatment" and only told much later, that in a few days we'd have no choice but to join the freak show. I wonder, will you be there? We'll be waiting for you!
The haunts at Stillwell Manor remain some of my favorites to see every year. It's dark, creepy, creative, and the creatures here love to interact. They really bring "life" to these dusty old chambers. I love the feel of the dark mansion, with its creaky floors, dark passages, and unrestful spirits. I love interacting with the surprising freaks and creatures created by the evil Dr. Stinson and wondering who to trust. Definitely check this place out if you can!
Questions? Have a story to share? Leave it in the comments!