Paris, Texas –– Step back in time and discover how Halloween was celebrated a century ago during “Tricks, Treats, and Timeless Traditions,” a family-friendly evening at the Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site on Saturday, October 17, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Visitors of all ages are invited to explore the fascinating and sometimes spooky traditions that entertained families during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This come-and-go event combines history, hands-on activities, and seasonal fun in a festive atmosphere perfect for the Halloween season.

Guests can try their hand at a variety of historic Halloween and harvest festival games, including
Cauldron Fortunes, Fishing for Prizes, and Clothespin Drop. Families can also test their noses in a classic
"Guess the Smell" game featuring autumn scents, create ghost drawings and Halloween crafts, and explore the amusingly eerie John Doe's Body activity, where participants identify mysterious "body parts" hidden in containers.

The evening will also feature opportunities to learn about historic spirit photography, pose for a spirit photography-inspired photo, and listen to a 1930s-style radio ghost story. Visitors can even experience a screening of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, widely regarded as the first horror film and one of cinema's most influential classics.