When: October 23, 2026 @ 6:00 pm
Enjoy an evening of spooky stories and local lore set in a historic farmhouse
For the first time, the public is invited inside the farmhouse at Tessentee Bottomland Preserve for this seasonal celebration of Southern Appalachian heritage! Local historian Peter Koch will tell tales of traditional mountain living, bringing out the spirit of this historic structure, the family who worked this land for decades, and the community they lived within. Ghost Tour Guide Morgyn Brannon will regale guests with spooky stories rooted in the Franklin and Cowee area, from pre-Columbian legends to ghosts that still haunt the town to this day. Adding to the ambience, the two rooms inside the historic Tessentee structure- which is nearly as old as the town of Franklin itself- will be illuminated by the glow of 100 jack-o-lanterns, carved by your friends and neighbors.
Tickets for this event are offered on a sliding scale from $20-$50. $20 is the minimum ticket cost that compensates our storytellers, and additional donations to support Mainspring’s outreach program are greatly appreciated. This event will be offered on Friday, October 23rd, with three separate tours available throughout the night. Note that there is a brief (1/4 mile) walk from the parking area to the event area, so guests should arrive 15-20 minutes before their allotted tour time. If weather allows, we’ll have a crackling campfire to gather around before the tour begins.
The three sessions available are 6:00pm-7:00pm, 7:15pm-8:15pm, and 8:30pm-9:30pm. The 8:30pm-9:30pm session is 21+, and guests are welcome to bring an alcoholic beverage to enjoy responsibly during the event. Nonalcoholic beverages and snacks are welcome during all sessions. Guests are encouraged to bring an easy-to-carry folding chair, though seating will be provided for those without their own chair.
Please note:
- This event is weather-dependent; it will still run in light rain, but will be cancelled in the event of downpours or dangerous conditions like lightning or high winds.
- Handicap parking is available for guests with mobility restrictions. Email Skye at [email protected] in advance to request handicap parking.
- The Tessentee house is a historic, nonresidential structure, and though it will be cleaned and prepared for this event, guests may notice evidence of insect or small mammal activity inside.
- Please leave pets at home.
- See the refund policy at the bottom of this page.
- Contact Skye at [email protected] with any questions.
A big thank you to Darnell Farms for donating the pumpkins used during this event! Mainspring is proud to hold an agricultural conservation easement on Darnell Farms’ crop fields.
Click here to purchase your ticket
Meet your storytellers
Morgyn Brannon, owner of the historical ghost tour company Echoes of Past, is a History student at Western Carolina University with over two years of experience leading local ghost tours. As a public historian, two of her greatest passions are storytelling and education. She is fascinated by understanding and analyzing how historical narratives shift over time. Like a game of telephone, stories can shift and evolve with the storyteller, the audience, and the context. She sees herself as both an entertainer and an informer, and enjoys opening doors through which her audiences can explore historical narratives in their own lives.
Peter Koch, Interim Director of the WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center, earned an M.A. in public history from North Carolina State University. He is involved with community and K-12 programs and also works with the many student interns the MHC hosts each year. He is on the boards of the WNC Civil War Roundtable and Civil War Trails. He has also had a long involvement in the North Carolina Museums Council. In addition to his director duties, Peter develops, presents, and evaluates a variety of onsite and outreach educational programs on Southern Appalachian history and culture for K-12 and college students, family, and adult audiences.
Refund policy
Contact Skye at [email protected] to request a refund.
Before 4:00pm on Thursday, October 8th: Mainspring will retain a $5 processing fee, and refund the remainder of your ticket value.
After 4:00pm on Thursday, October 8th: Refunds are not guaranteed, but Mainspring will attempt to fill empty seats. If a cancelled seat is filled, the former ticket-holder will receive a 50% refund. If the cancelled seat is not filled, we are unable to issue a refund. Thank you for your understanding.
In the event of cancellation due to weather conditions: Mainspring will retain a $5 processing fee, and refund the remainder of your ticket value. Participants may also choose to donate the partial or full value of their ticket.
