Summer may be over soon, but most are very excited for the fall season to come. Many are looking forward to October because it means Halloween, pumpkin picking and scary movies. For many years the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society (AHHS) in Atlantic Highlands, NJ has screened classic silent films, but their most successful time is in October. Over the past two years people have flocked to the Strauss Mansion Museum to watch some of the scariest silent horror movies including a late 1970’s classic filmed right in the museum.
The AHHS was first formed in 1973, coinciding with the United States of America’s 200th birthday in 1976. They had no official headquarters until an opportunity came in 1980. The Strauss Mansion Museum which is famous for being the home in the 1979 controversial horror film “Don’t Go in the House” was going to be torn down by the town because of its deplorable and unsafe conditions. The AHHS was not going to let it happen and bought the property to become the new home, archive and library for the Society. It would be years of repairs before the museum opened to the public in 1986. According to one of the AHHS Board Member and Halloween Co-Chair Greg Caggiano they are still working on restoring the museum to its former glory.
Mr. Caggiano has been a part of the AHHS for six years with five of them as a member of the committee. He co-chairs alongside Joanne Dellosso while also working with former members of the board now volunteers Roy Dellosso and Lou Filgor. “The three of them have been involved in the AHHS for more than 20 years” said Mr. Caggiano “Their experience and expertise are invaluable.” Ms. Dellosso, Mr. Dellosso and Mr. Filgor have played huge parts in making the tours at Strauss Mansion Museum in October scarier than in previous years. According to Mr. Caggiano they started off taking tours around Prospect Circle before moving on to the works of Edgar Allen Poe. Currently the museum gives ghost tours as, in Mr. Caggiano’s words, “the mansion is quite haunted.” More information can be seen on the YouTube Channel Ghosts on the Coast.
Discovering the AHHS used to show silent films with musical accompaniment in the late 1990’s Mr. Caggiano and the other members decided to bring it back for their events in October in addition to the museum and tours. The AHHS screens at least three classic horror films every year. One of the most popular movies shown, that has sold out shows over the past two years, is the 1922 German horror film Nosferatu. It is regarded as the most famous silent horror film of all time. Mr. Caggiano fondly remembers one showing of the movie at midnight. “We wanted to give people the experience of watching this creepy flick in a haunted mansion at midnight” said Mr. Caggiano. This year there will be two screenings of the film on October 5th at 7:30 and 10:30 P.M with local musicians playing alongside the movie. Mr. Caggiano advises those reading if they want to come to the screening to reserve their tickets now.
In addition to Nosferatu the AHHS screens “Don’t Go in the House” at the place where it was filmed and 1931’s Dracula, usually shown on Bela Lugosi’s birthday. Other October events include a Halloween party, lectures and tours regarding the paranormal and a musical performance by Damion Alexandrius. All money raised during the events will go to Society and the repairs needed for the museum. For more information on the AHHS, upcoming events and how to get tickets please visit them on their website ahhistory.org or Facebook page.
Photo is courtesy of Greg Caggiano
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