Massacre Mansion: A Terrifying Journey Through the Blackthorne Resort Haunt
Nestled in the quaint town of East Durham, New York, the Blackthorne Resort harbors a dark and thrilling secret: the Massacre Mansion. This haunted attraction has been the centerpiece of Halloween festivities since its inception in October 19971. Created by Tom Uhll and Dale Handel, it offers a spine-chilling experience that draws thrill-seekers from all over the region.
As the vibrant hues of autumn paint the surrounding Catskill Mountains in shades of crimson and gold, the resort transforms into a haven of relaxation and adventure, perfect for rejuvenating the soul and creating lasting memories.
The allure of the Blackthorne Resort begins with its warm hospitality and cozy accommodations. Imagine waking up in a rustic yet comfortable lodge room, where the crisp morning air carries the scent of fallen leaves and the promise of a day filled with exploration. Each room is designed to provide a peaceful sanctuary, allowing guests to unwind after a day of outdoor activities or simply enjoy the tranquil beauty of the resort grounds.
Adjacent to Halloween are these quotes about magic – currently from mining the goodreads category, but likely from other places as well. Some are simply for the words. Many are wildflowers. I thought they were pretty, but they may not fit with this particular scene/set.
As we noted before, Halloween is a time of sorcerous wonders. Why not have a few more words to describe it?
Halloween can also serve as an educational opportunity. For those who are passionate about history, science, or literature, Halloween provides a platform to share their knowledge with others. A well-researched and accurate costume can spark conversations and curiosity, leading to discussions about the historical period, scientific concepts, or literary works that inspired the costume. This exchange of knowledge can be enriching for both the wearer and those they interact with.
There aren’t a lot of things better than the big, beautiful Blackthorne bonfire, but one of them is taking your marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate, and making S’mores with us!
1. Moving Spider –
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/445504588154473981/
a. Construction paper circles
b. Hole punch
c. Small zip ties (8 per spider)
d. Googly eyes (2 per spider)
e. Straw to make spider move (1 per child)
2. Treat Filled Pumpkin – https://onelittleproject.com/tissue-
paper-pumpkin-favours/
a. Orange tissue paper
b. Green electrical tape or similar
c. Sweets
3. Paper Spider Webs – https://onelittleproject.com/paper-
spiderwebs/
a. White paper
b. Safety scissors
c. Pipe cleaners (optional if you want to add spiders)
4. Spider Headbands –
https://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/s-is-for-spider-
spider-headband-craft.html
a. Black construction paper
b. Tape
c. Googly eyes of various sizes
d. Glue sticks
5. Zombie Rock Painting –
https://www.simpleeverydaymom.com/zombie-halloween-
painted-rocks-for-kids/
a. Rocks of various sizes painted with neon green acrylic
paint
b. Felt tips of various colours – Sharpie works best
6. Balloon and String Pumpkin –
a. Small balloons
b. Orange yarn
c. Scissors
d. Green and brown pipe cleaners
e. Glue (like Elmer’s PVA)
7. Yarn Wrapped Mummy – https://iheartcraftythings.com/yarn-
wrapped-mummy-craft.html
a. Black card cut into people shapes
b. White Yarn
c. Googly Eyes (2 per mummy)
d. Glue sticks
8. Hand Print Spiders –
https://ipinnedit.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/handprint-spider-
halloween-craft/
a. Orange construction paper
b. Black paint
c. Googly eyes
d. Baby Wipes to clean hands afterwards
9. Flapping Bat – https://onelittleproject.com/flapping-bat-craft/
a. Black construction paper
b. Bat template
c. Plastic straws (this won’t work with paper straws)
d. Googly eyes
e. Scissors
f. Glue sticks
10. Flying Bat Straw Rockets –
https://buggyandbuddy.com/flying-bat-straw-rockets/
a. Bat templates printed out
b. Straws
c. Crayons (or the same Sharpies from above)
d. Scissors
e. Tape
11. Moving Skeleton –
a. Printed off templates of skeleton
b. Split pins
c. Safety scissors
12. Bat Silhoutte – https://www.easypeasyandfun.com/bat-
silhouette-halloween-art/
a. Black construction paper
b. Bat templates
c. Yellow and orange oil pastels
d. Baby wipes to clean hands afterwards
13. Flying Bat Craft – https://nontoygifts.com/paper-plate-
flying-bat-craft/
a. Bat template
b. Paper plates (yellow)
c. Yellow paint (if you can’t find yellow paper plates)
d. Wooden lolly sticks
e. Glue sticks
f. Googly eyes
14. Pumpkin Book Craft –
https://www.apieceofrainbow.com/20-creative-pumpkin-ideas/
a. Old paperback books (you can get these for free if thrift
shops are overwhelmed with them, which they often are)
b. Paperclips
c. Orange watercolour paint
d. Paintbrushes (wide end)
e. Small sticks for the stems
f. Baby wipes to wash hands afterwards
g. Rocking Black Cat –
https://www.artycraftykids.com/craft/rocking-paper-
plate-black-cat/Paper plates
h. Black paint
i. White Sharpie
j. Googly eyes or white, pink, yellow construction paper or
template from website
k. Black construction paper for ears and tail
l. Glue sticks
15. Paper Strip Pumpkins –
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/cf/b7/30/cfb730251de9d0a5da0105
832eb298da.jpg
a. Orange construction paper cut into strips
b. Green construction paper
c. Hole Punch
d. Split pins
e. Green pipe cleaners – optional
16. Cotton Bud Skeleton
a. Black construction paper
b. Cotton buds
c. White construction paper
d. Black felt tip (sharpie)
e. Scissors
f. Glue sticks
17. Spider Web Art – https://letslassothemoon.com/spider-
web-art-project/
a. White crayons or wax crayons
b. White construction paper
c. Water colour paint
d. Paint brushes
e. Tub of water to rinse brushes between colours
18. Gingerbread Skeletons
a. Gingerbread men cookies
b. White water icing
c. Black water icing
d. Piping bags
e. Safety scissors
19. Halloween Glass Lanterns –
https://lecoindemel.com/upcycled-halloween-lanterns-10-
minute-crafts/
a. Clean empty glass jars
b. Orange tissue paper
c. Elmer’s Glue (PVA)
d. Paintbrushes
e. Baby wipes for washing hands afterwards
f. Halloween shapes cut from black construction paper
20. Pine Cone Spiders
a. Pine cones (can be painted black, but I think just as
effective in brown) –
https://www.livecrafteat.com/craft/spooky-spiders-easy-
halloween-craft-kids/
b. Brown or black pipe cleaners
c. Small coloured pompoms
d. Googly eyes
e. Glue stick
The concept is similar to the traditional “show and tell” activity often done in schools, where children bring an item of interest and talk about it. However, in an oddities show and tell, the focus is on items that are particularly peculiar or rare or just plain freaky/These could include anything from antique keys found in a haunted mansion to preserved specimens of two-headed animals, ancient ritual masks, cursed dolls, mysterious maps, and more.
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