Thurber House
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Thurber House offers unique Halloween-themed activities centered around its rich history and rumored haunted nature. Parents can expect informative tours and engaging experiences like 'ghost nights,' 'paranormal investigations,' and 'Books and Boos' events, all presented in a well-maintained, small, and friendly environment. It's a prime spot for families looking for a blend of historical learning and mild spooky fun, with potential future engagement through writing workshops.
Key Highlights
- ✓Engaging and informative tours about the history of the house
- ✓Specific Halloween events like 'ghost nights' and 'paranormal investigations'
- ✓A dedicated family event called 'Books and Boos' was enjoyable
- ✓Staff are consistently described as helpful and friendly
- ✓Grounds are well-maintained, adding to the atmosphere
- ✓Explicitly described as 'haunted' by multiple reviewers, appealing to those seeking a spooky experience
Standout Features
- ⭐Informative historical tours that provide context to the haunted reputation
- ⭐Friendly and helpful staff/attendants create a welcoming atmosphere
- ⭐Well-maintained grounds, even for those only visiting the exterior
- ⭐Offers writing workshops, which could be an appealing follow-up activity for children inspired by the house's literary history (though details are not provided)
- ⭐A 'small' and 'nice space' implies a more intimate experience
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Consider the potential for inspiring an interest in writing, as workshops are mentioned by multiple reviewers.
- →Due to its 'small' size, it might be advisable to check event capacities or book in advance for specific activities.
- →Expect a focus on the history and 'haunted' aspects of the house for most events.
Things to Consider
- ⚠No negative feedback or concerns reported in the provided reviews
Price & Value
Reviews explicitly mention a 'small, reasonable entry fee', suggesting good value for money given the quality of the tours and staff interaction described.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific information about accessibility accommodations is mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No specific information about food and drink policies is mentioned in the reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific information about parking is mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •The venue is described as 'small,' which could imply intimacy but also potential for crowds during popular events, though no specific crowd level reports are provided.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific information about safety features is mentioned in the reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • No specific situations or times to avoid are indicated in the reviews.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
October Book Bar Event Only Ticket
Not specifiedDuration: 2 hours (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET)
Admission to the October Book Bar social mixer.
Includes:
- •Admission
- •One standard drink
- •Appetizers
October Book Bar Event + Blind Date Book Bundle Ticket
Not specifiedDuration: 2 hours (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET)
Admission to the October Book Bar social mixer including a 'blind date' book.
Includes:
- •One randomly selected “Blind Date” book
- •Admission
- •One standard drink
- •Appetizers
Private Ghost Investigation
Fee applies (inquire via email)Duration: Not specified
A private evening with paranormal researcher James A. Willis to conduct a private ghost investigation, tour, and discussion of research/findings/ghostly reports.
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
October Book Bar (Adult Social Mixer for Book Lovers)
Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
Event Only ticket (includes admission, one standard drink, and appetizers) or Event + Blind Date Book Bundle ticket (includes one randomly selected “Blind Date” book, admission, one standard drink, and appetizers). (Specific prices not listed)
An upbeat social event for book lovers to mingle, read, or both, held at Seventh Son Brewing. Seating is limited. Adult-only event.
Halloween at Thurber House (Family-Friendly & FREE)
Saturday, October 11, 2025, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET (Activities 1:00-3:15 pm, Performance 3:15-4:00 pm)
FREE
A family-friendly drop-in event celebrating Halloween with mini pumpkin/gourd painting, interactive activities, a teaser performance of 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' by Mouth of the Wolf Productions, and sweet treats. Costumes are welcome.
Halloween at Thurber House (Adults/Teens 15+)
Saturday, October 18, 2025, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM ET (Spooky Social 5-10 pm, Murder Mystery sign-up for time slots)
Implied fee for murder mystery and social, and a 'ghost raffle'. (Specific prices not listed)
An event featuring a murder mystery and a spooky social with mini pumpkin/gourd painting, games, sweet treats, non-alcoholic beverages, and a ghost raffle. Costumes are welcome.
Essayist Sarah Chihaya in Conversation with OSU English Professor Aman Garcha (Co-Presented by Ohio State)
Thursday, November 13, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
Not specified
An event co-presented by The Ohio State University Humanities Institute and English Department, featuring essayist Sarah Chihaya discussing her book 'Bibliophobia', followed by Q&A, book sales, and signing.
Event & Workshop: New Yorker Cartoonist Tom Toro in Conversation with Jenny Robb
Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:45 PM ET (Event 6:30-7:15 PM, Book Signing 7:15-7:45 PM, Workshop 7:45-8:45 PM)
Not specified
A program presented in partnership with The Ohio State University’s Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum and Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC), featuring a discussion with New Yorker cartoonist Tom Toro, a book signing, and a 60-minute cartoon workshop.
🍎Food Policy
- • October Book Bar includes appetizers.
- • Halloween at Thurber House (Family-Friendly) includes sweet treats.
- • Halloween at Thurber House (Adults/Teens) includes sweet treats and non-alcoholic beverages.
- • Summer Writing Camp Interns are responsible for their own lunch.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Summer Writing Camp Counselors must complete a successful background check.
- • Thurber House freelance teaching staff must provide a successful background check prior to teaching.
- • All museum volunteers (docents and non-docents) must provide references.
- • Literary event and outreach volunteers must provide references.
📅Booking Policy
- • Large groups of 10 or more people for museum visits must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
- • To check guided tour availability for small groups, email at least three business days in advance.
- • Facility rentals for Thurber Center require inquiry via contact form.
- • Private ghost investigations require inquiry via email (thurberhouse@thurberhouse.org).
- • Online ticket/program registration: Digital tickets/confirmations are emailed. Accepts Visa, Discover, MasterCard, American Express.
- • Phone ticket/program registration: Call 614-464-1032. Accepts Visa, Discover, MasterCard, American Express.
- • For general inquiries, allow 1-3 business days for a response.
🚗Parking Information
- • Thurber House & Thurber Center (Jefferson Avenue): Free street parking along the Jefferson Avenue oval. 3-hour limit between 8:00 AM–6:00 PM; no time limit after 6:00 PM and all day on Sundays. Only spots on the one-way oval are free.
- • Thurber House & Thurber Center (N. 11th Street): Free visitor parking in a small lot directly behind Thurber House, accessible off N. 11th Street. No time limit when visiting Thurber House.
Recent Reviews
Chris Burch
a month agoWen there for a ghost tonight. It was awesome. The tour we got to start with was very informative about the history of the house. I am definitely going to be looking into the writing workshops they have there. I look forward to visiting again.
Sue W
3 months agoWe went for a paranormal investigation and it was a good time. I'm definitely inspired to take some writing workshops too.
Daclaud Lee
6 months agoI have only been outside, but the grounds seemed to be very well maintained. It is also supposed to be haunted, so I hosted an urban hike and we passed by this house one night.
Stefanie Stoops
a year agoSmall, reasonable entry fee. Helpful attendant. A nice space.
Patrick Labbett
2 years agoNeat place. Books and Boos was enjoyable. Staff were friendly. House is haunted.