Felt Mansion opening doors for Halloween fun

Special spooky tours, trick-or-treating for kids set for October.

The moon breaks through the clouds outside the Felt Mansion, 6597 138th Ave., in this photograph from 2022.

The Felt Estate is welcoming Halloween with special spooky tours and trick-or-treat hours for the family.

“October arrives with a chill in the air and a little extra creak in the mansion’s front door — and we’re leaning in,” said Elizabeth McEwen, executive director of the Felt Estate in Laketown Township.

Self-guided tours

The mansion, 6597 138th Ave., has events planned starting with Self-Guided Spooky Tours on Oct. 22, 23, 27, 28 and 29 from 4-8 p.m.

Adults are $10; Seniors (60 and older) are $8; Children 8 and older are $5; Children 7 and under are free. Advance purchase tickets are available but not required. Cash, check, and credit/debit card accepted at the door.

Visit the www.feltmansion.org for more information.

Fall colors mark the change of seasons at the Felt Mansion, 6597 138th Ave., in this photograph from 2024.

Haunting and history

Hauntings & History Nights are Oct. 24, 25 and 30 at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. Tickets are required, and space is limited. Tickets are $32. Advance only at www.feltmansion.org/halloween. No tickets sold at the door.

“These special evenings combine an atmospheric walk-through with true historical accounts and long-whispered lore of the estate — an immersive way to experience the mansion after dark,” McEwen said.

This year’s tours start at the chapel where those who have personally experienced supernatural mysteries share their encounters. Then explore hidden corners of the estate illuminated through candlelight.

Participants can bring their own ghost-hunting equipment.

Only the first floor of the mansion and carriage house are handicap accessible. All other floors are accessible via stairs only.

Visit www.feltmansion.org/halloween for more information.

Trick or treating

Free trick-or-treating is 3:30-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, inside the mansion for elementary school children. Explore inside the mansion so no winter jacket is required and collect candy and other goodies.

The State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources from Saugatuck Dunes State Park will be on site with carnival games in the party tent.

The event is free, but donations are appreciated.

The mansion is seeking volunteers to help pass out Halloween goodies and welcomes donations of individually wrapped candy or small non-food trinkets/toys (stickers, pencils, glow bracelets). If you can pitch in, or drop off donations, contact the mansion through the www.feltmansion.org.

Volunteers and candy/trinket donors will receive two complimentary passes for holiday season tours.

About the mansion

Construction on the mansion began in 1925 by Dorr Felt, inventor of the Comptometer, the first machine that could do all four math functions — add, subtract, multiply and divide. The building was finished in 1928.

Felt’s wife Agnes died in 1928 after the house was complete. Dorr died a year-and-a-half later.

After his death, the estate became a seminary for the Augustinian order that was attended by Pope Leo XIV. After the seminary closed, the land became a state prison and Michigan State Police post before the property was purchased by Laketown Township.

The mansion has been restored and is a top historical and educational site as well as a wedding and event destination.