How long is the experience?

Plan for roughly 30–60 minutes at your selected timeslot; small-group interpretation and walking between scenes determine the exact length.

Is this event appropriate for children?

The program is recommended for guests aged eight and older; content is literary horror and may be intense for younger children.

Are tickets required and how do I buy them?

Yes—tickets are required. Use the booking link provided with the listing to select a timeslot and purchase admission.

Dress in layers and wear comfortable, sturdy shoes. Bring a light if you need it for the walk to parking.

Is the site accessible?

Accessibility details were not provided in the event summary; check the booking page or contact the host for specific accommodations.

What is the parking situation?

Parking is onsite at the estate; rural roads in the area can be narrow, so allow extra time and arrive early to secure a spot.

Gothic Night at Scotchtown: Live Literary Horror in Beaverdam, VA

On a cool October evening at Scotchtown (16120 Chiswell Ln, Beaverdam, VA 23015, USA), history and horror intersect in a living-literature experience that trades sanitized tours for shivers. This program unfolds on the grounds of the historic Scotchtown estate near Beaverdam, Virginia, as guest interpreters embody Gothic-era authors and dramatize chilling tales beneath skeletal trees and lamplight. Crumbling architecture, shadowed pathways, and theatrical staging create the scene: not a haunted house of props but a staged encounter with the writers who shaped early Gothic fiction. Expect portrayals of figures like Mary Shelley and Washington Irving delivering passages and monologues that transform the manor’s dark lawn and garden walls into a stage for supernatural imagination. The event takes place on Saturday, October 3rd with entry times at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, and 8:30 p.m., and is recommended for guests aged eight and older. Each visitor should plan for roughly 30–60 minutes on their chosen timeslot; pacing depends on small-group interpretation and outdoor walking between staged scenes. The terrain is estate grounds: grassy sections, packed dirt paths, and a few uneven steps around historic structures, so warm clothing and comfortable shoes are practical advice rather than costume. What makes this gathering remarkable for the Richmond region is its blending of literary history and immersive theater on a property that dates to early American life, offering a cultural lens rather than simple jump scares. The production leans on period language and literary excerpts, making it ideal for literature fans, history learners, and anyone who appreciates storytelling performed in place. Practical details matter: bring a jacket, flashlight or headlamp for the walk to and from parking, and plan travel time to Beaverdam where rural roads can be narrow after dark. Accessibility information and group limits were not provided; check the booking page for specifics and arrive early for ticketed entry windows. This evening resists gimmicky effects and instead uses the estate’s physical presence—its walls, hedgerows, and open lawn—as a kind of stagecraft that connects visitors to 18th and 19th century anxieties about the uncanny. For families with older children, couples seeking a different autumn outing, or visitors exploring Virginia’s historic homes, the program offers a memorable, tightly staged night with a literary spine. Scotchtown’s blend of place-based interpretation, live performance, and the eerie energy of dusk makes it a standout cultural event in the area and an unusual way to experience local history after hours. Tickets are available through the booking link; check times, age guidance, and up-to-date accessibility notes before heading out, and consider arriving in daylight to walk grounds and return after dusk for the show—this gives context to the performance and makes the shift into the evening more atmospheric.