Lecture Explores Victorian Obsession with Death & Spirit Communication

The William Root House Museum, 80 N. Marietta Parkway NW in Marietta, will welcome collector James Freeman of Freeman & Fugate Oddities Company for a discussion about the Victorian spiritualism movement at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 19.

Freeman's "Beyond the Veil: Victorians and Spirit Communication" will delve into the Victorian spiritualism movement and show off his rare collection of antique oddities, including William Mumler spirit photos, spirit trumpets, automatic writing planchettes, spirit slates and one of the first Ouija boards. This program is restricted to guests 18 years or older.

Tickets for the program are $30 per person and must be purchased in advance at WilliamRootHouse.com .

Also, during the month of October, visitors to the William Root House will see the home decorated for a Victorian-era funeral. Curtains will be drawn and rooms will be adorned with black crepe and ribbons. Visitors will be able to view 19th century embalming equipment, mourning jewelry made from human hair and other curious artifacts related to death and mourning.