Historic Farnsworth House in Gettysburg, Pa., announces unique Dinner Theatre experience

(Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) - 12/10/2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ...

CONTACT:

Rene Staub

Director of Marketing and Promotions

Farnsworth House Inn

(717) 334-8838

The Historic Farnsworth House Inn is known for their critically acclaimed period fare and candlelight ghost stories. Beginning Dec. 20, the historic inn will combine their culinary and theatrical arts as they present their Vacant Chair Dinner Theatre.

In 19th century America, mourning the dead was a daily part of life. Both family customs and etiquette rules of the time dictated how one would mourn. Even the dinner following the funeral was part of the ritual. Following the funeral, a traditional meal would be served at the home of the deceased. Immediate family, distant relatives, friends and associates would be invited to attend both the funeral and the social event at the home.

The audience will first enter a room prepared for an 1863 wake, complete with casket and d�cor that will portray the mourning customs of the time period. The Pennsylvania Dutch themed dinner will include such selections as Lancaster County Ham, Sauerkraut & Finely Chopped Pork and their signature Game Pie. A period-dressed actor will host the evening and perform Civil War-era songs intermittently mixed with the history and rituals of mourning.

One of these songs, �The Vacant Chair,� was written to honor a fallen soldier, creating a vacant chair at the dinner table. Following the dinner, the audience will descend the stairs into the cellar of the Farnsworth House for dramatically portrayed ghost stories.

The Vacant Chair Dinner Theatre will be held every Saturday evening beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $32.95 per person. Call (717) 334-8838 for reservations. Tickets can also be purchased in the bookstore adjacent to the Farnsworth House. There is complimentary parking in the rear of the building.

For more than 25 years, ghost stories have been told in the cellar of what is now known as one of the most haunted inns in America. The Farnsworth House was once again in the paranormal spotlight for the Travel Channel�s Most Haunted Live! that aired Oct. 10. The historic building has also appeared on A&E, the History Channel, the Sci-Fi Channel and BBC. LIVE-Sci-Fi will broadcast a webcast on Jan. 17 as they do a paranormal investigation of the house.