This May, the Galion History Center invites thrill-seekers, history buffs, and mystery lovers alike to a night they won’t soon forget. On Friday, May 30, Brownella Cottage—once the stately home of the controversial Bishop William Montgomery Brown—will shed its typical quiet grandeur and become the scene of a chilling crime during Murder Mystery CLUE at Brownella Cottage, an immersive, live-action game set in the swinging 1970s.
In this interactive CLUE-style experience, guests step into the roles of detectives, navigating the dimly lit halls and eerie corners of the historic estate to uncover a fictional murder drawn straight from a fabricated chapter of Galion’s past.
History Gets a Killer Twist
“This is history with a twist,” said Museum Director Tanesha Pickering. “We’re combining Galion’s rich local heritage with the fun and drama of an interactive mystery game. It’s a way for people to experience Brownella Cottage in a completely new light.”
That new light will be flickering candlelight, as the game’s story unfolds on a stormy evening in 1976. Local socialite and English teacher Miriam “Mim” Sayre has invited a select group of guests for a candlelit tour of the allegedly haunted Brownella Cottage. But when the lights dim and a scream splits the silence, the party turns deadly—the caretaker is found murdered, and someone in the house is the killer.
Characters with Secrets and Rooms with Clues
Throughout the house, guests will question suspects, examine evidence, and follow a twisting trail of clues through atmospheric rooms like the parlor, the bishop’s study, and the library. Every participant is part of the drama—interacting with colorful characters such as the tight-lipped Dr. Bernard Mansfield, the sharp-tongued Mim Sayre, and other suspicious partygoers with motives and secrets of their own.
Every room could hold a vital clue… or a cleverly placed red herring.
How to Attend: Details and Tickets
Two game sessions are available on May 30—at 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Players will check in across the street from the Cottage at the Historic Grace Church, located at 132 S. Union Street in Galion, Ohio.
Tickets are $20 per person and must be purchased in advance at www.galionhistory.com/events. Due to the limited and interactive nature of the experience, tickets are non-refundable. No-shows will be considered a donation to the Galion History Center.
The event is open to ages 10 and up, and while it’s not required, 1970s attire is strongly encouraged to help set the mood for the groovy evening of sleuthing. This year’s theme ties in with a milestone: the Galion History Center’s 70th anniversary.
One Iconic Night, One Killer Game
Whether you’re a seasoned detective or a newcomer to the world of murder mysteries, Murder Mystery CLUE at Brownella Cottage promises suspense, storytelling, and a time-traveling twist on local history. Don your bell bottoms, grab your magnifying glass, and prepare to uncover the secrets lurking within one of Galion’s most iconic landmarks.
Are you ready to solve the crime before the killer strikes again?
Source, Image: Galion History Center
