QuickTake:

The event is happening the last two weekends of October and has two different levels of scariness: one for young children, one for everyone else.

Visitors to the Springfield History Museum this October will step in a haunted hospital with ghosts, goblins and ghouls. 

That’s according to curator Maddi McGraw, who works every year, along with dozens of volunteers, to turn the history museum into a haunted house as a fundraiser for its collections, programs and exhibits. 

This year’s theme is “Screamfield General Hospital.”

In its fifth year, Fright! at the Museum happens the last two weekends of October, Oct. 22-24 and Oct. 29-31.

From 4 to 6 p.m., the haunted house is family-friendly with fewer scares and more lights; from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., it’s darker and scarier.

Entry is $5 for adults, $3 for kids and free for children under 5.

A recovery station will have complimentary hot cider and candy “for people who have survived the haunted house,” McGraw said.

“I do this partly for myself, just because I love Halloween,” she said. “I love community events. I have a lot of great memories of going to Halloween carnivals and things like that as a kid, and so I wanted to see that in my community.”

The event also raises money, last year $4,200 with 1,100 people visiting. It also raises awareness of the museum in the community.

Carnival and canine contest

The museum is partnering with the Springfield Block Party to host Screamfield Monster Bash from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24. Free to enter, the carnival features live music from the Boot Heel Dance Band, a costume catwalk, vendors, carnival games and a pumpkin derby.

Sixth Street from Main to A streets will be closed for the event, with most of the carnival taking place in the parking lot under City Hall, McGraw said.

Derby races with age-bracket prizes start at 4:30 p.m. Participants can build their own pumpkin on wheels or purchase a kit ahead of time from the Friends of the Springfield Public Library and Springfield History Museum. 

The museum also will host its second annual dog costume contest at 5 p.m., Oct. 29. Free to enter, the event is co-sponsored by Pup’s Place, and Caught in the Act Entertainment will have a free photo booth. 

If you go

  • What: Fright! at the Museum
  • Where: Springfield History Museum, 590 Main St.
  • When: Oct. 22-24 and Oct. 29-31; family-friendly, less scary hours 4 to 6 p.m., full fright hours 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
  • Cost: $5 for adults, $3 for kids ages 5-17, free for children under 5 and $20 for families of five or more

Special events in the museum parking lot

  • Screamfield Monster Bash: 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24, Halloween carnival with pumpkin derby, live music and costume catwalk
  • Canine contest: 5 p.m. Oct. 29, free dog costume contest