The Minnesota Historical Society offers adult focused and family friendly Halloween programs that both delight and educate. Guests are invited to relive "real" ghost stories at the James J. Hill House and solve mysteries at Historic Fort Snelling and the North West Company Fur Post.

CSI: Fort Snelling
Location: Historic Fort Snelling
200 Tower Avenue, St. Paul
Dates:Friday and Saturday,Oct. 17, 18, 24 and 25
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Cost: $22; $2 discount for MNHS members.
Reservations required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.

There's been a murder at the fort! In this new mystery program based on true events, participants will investigate Historic Fort Snelling at night - at their own risk. Guests will explore the fort, meet characters who provide clues, and work together to identify the murderer. For the Friday program, Oct. 17 and 24, guests 21 and up can enjoy beer and wine served in a special tavern meant to fit in with this period in history. All dates are appropriate for ages 14 and up.

Victorian Ghost Stories
Location: James J. Hill House
240 Summit Avenue, St. Paul
Date: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26
Time: 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $12/$10 for MNHS members.
Reservations recommended; call 651-259-3015 or register online.

Explore the dimly-light parlor of the James J. Hill House for dramatic readings of 19th-century ghost stories. The one-hour program includes works by Edgar Allan Poe, Edith Wharton and the Brothers Grimm, as well as lesser-known authors of the period and several "true" ghost stories. A different selection of works will be presented each weekend. Following the reading guests can enjoy a complimentary tour of the Hill House and hot cider. This program is appropriate for ages 8 and up.

Mystery at the Fur Post
Location: North West Company Fur Post
12551 Voyageur Lane, Pine City
Date: Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 25
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Cost: $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and college students, $6 for children age 6-17; $2 discount for MNHS members.
Reservations recommended; call 320-629-6356

Do you have what it takes to solve the mystery at the fur post? Guests will need to use their sleuthing skills as they view the scene, collect clues and conduct interviews while armed against the night with only a lantern and a list of suspects. This spooky, family-friendly event, begins at 7 p.m.

About the Minnesota Historical Society:

The Society’s calendar of events is posted online at www.mnhs.org/calendar. The website also has information about all of the Society’s programs, museums and historic sites.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. The Society collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, the Society preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history.

The Minnesota Historical Society is supported in part by its Premier Partners: Xcel Energy and Explore Minnesota Tourism.