In your quest for a truly spooky experience in October, make the Gibson House Manor in Jamestown, PA one of your stops. On Saturday night, October 18th and 25th at 5:30 pm (dinner first), we will be hosting a special presentation by Steve Nolte, president of Three Souls Paranormal, a paranormal investigation company that has been exploring historic homes in Western Pennsylvania and twelve other states since it was founded eight years ago. Three Souls spent two nights at the Gibson House Manor in April and July of 2025 to record, videotape and investigate any paranormal activity at the Manor in two very long overnight sessions. They commented that after midnight was the most active energy and much of it was captured on video and recording equipment in the Carriage House and the main house. They will be presenting their findings in three evening presentations (including dinner) and followed by a walking tour of the spots in the house with the strongest energy fields. They will also share the 22 sightings of other owners and guests of the Manor over the last 50 years that we have been able to gather.
As a special treat, 15 people will be allowed to participate in an overnight investigation of the Manor on Saturday October 18th and Saturday October 25th from 10 pm to 2 am so that guests can witness and participate in an actual paranormal investigation. This has never been allowed at the Manor before under the ownership of the Friends of the Manor Charitable Trust. All tickets are on a first come/first served basis and much be purchased in advance on our website at gibsonhousemanor.org. Dinner and tour tickets are $27 per person. Overnight Paranormal Investigation tickets are $50 per person. Both tickets are going fast.
Other October highlights include…..
****International Dinner Series – Octoberfest…come taste the wonderful food of Bavaria in Germany, land of lederhosen and the famous Hofbrauhaus. This is our first international dinner on a Thursday night (October 30th) from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Pork loin roast with mustard sauce on the side, braised and fried potatoes, sausage and bratwurst and weisswurst, sauerkraut, Spatzle, potato pancakes with sour cream and applesauce. For dessert, apple and cherry strudel, vanilla ice cream and German chocolate cake. Tickets are $38 per person and reservations required at 724.456.4983 or click here.
****British High Teas….we are continuing the tradition of both a Victorian afternoon tea and a working man’s high tea…We committed to offering at least one British High Tea per month to visitors and guests to enjoy an authentic British experience that was started by Queen Victoria in the 1800’s. Our Historic Education Committee of the board helped us with the formatting and menu and our many guests have given us great feedback on the experience. The next three are Friday October 24th from 1:30 to 3:30 pm and Friday November 21st from 1:30 to 3:30 pm and Friday December 26th (Boxing Day in England) is our Victorian Christmas High Tea from 2:30 to 5:30 pm. Seating at 2:30 pm or 4 pm. All high teas include Gatehouse Winery libations along with iced tea, lemonade, coffee and tea (of course) and also includes a tour of the house. The December High Tea will include a tour of the 15 areas of the house decorated for Victorian International Christmas (a different country in each room). For tickets to this event you can click here.
*****Ladies Luncheon for Aspiring Writers or Professional Writers…come learn how to use your journals to become a published author. Includes lunch and a presentation on how one published author used diary entries that turned into a book offer and a national book tour. Seating at 1 pm on Friday, October 24th in private dining room. Bring your journals! Reservations needed at 724.456.4983 or click here. Tickets are $27 and include a tour of the house and our newest donations to the Manor of furniture and fixtures and our newest museum space—the attic!
We are open everyday of the year (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Memorial Day Monday, Easter Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday) from 11 am to 2 pm for our Underground Railroad Tours (about 1 hour guided tour about 40 minutes partially self-guided). All tours include lunch for $27 or $20 without lunch. We are noticing families are bringing their out-of-town guests to “see the Manor and do the tour.” We love having your guests from all over the US! Many of our visitors are on personal journeys to experience history all over the country. We are proud to be a part of that journey. The Gibson House Manor was built in 1856 by Dr. and Mrs. William Gibson, staunch abolitionists and Presbyterians, as an Underground Railroad safe house on the passage from the south to Canada (Lake Erie). It is one of the few safe houses that is still intact and barely renovated since it was built in 1856. So, you are walking on the very floors and touching the very handrails that the owners and their guests and servants touched. Whether you identify with the courage of the runaway slaves or the courage of the abolitionists who protected them and helped them get safe passage to Canada, the story is an amazing one of bravery, safety and freedom. Reservations required at 724.456.4983 or by going to our website.
Our Victorian Christmas Committees and Organizations are descending on the Manor the first week of November to help us get ready for Christmas. This year we are featuring the 1800’s Christmas traditions of Germany, Ireland, Italy, France, Scotland and 9 other countries. We are still recruiting groups and organizations to help us. Please contact us if you are interested. All participants get free tickets to the whole Victorian Christmas tour which will be conducted at least 8 times over the holidays beginning Saturday night, November 29th. Tickets are $12 for a tour only (includes coffee and Christmas cookies and a walking around Tour Guide of each room and the traditions and the organizations that helped decorate it and the sponsors who supported it. Free if you are a 2025 member and present a 2025 member pass. 2025 Memberships are available online at our website.
We are still taking Christmas Party reservations for different dining rooms in the Manor. We have a beautiful venue for your annual Christmas party and catering menus to fit every budget. Call 724.456.4983 to get more information and check availability. We are also taking 2026 reservations for Weddings and larger events (up to 100 people). For more information visit our website.
We had a wonderful presentation by President Abraham Lincoln a few weeks ago and realized that our visitors and guests and sponsors are true history lovers. We are planning our 2026 schedule now. If you want to present or know of someone who might be interested in presenting on a historic topic relating to the founding of our country up to 1900, please contact us at 724.456.4983.
We are hiring. If you or someone you know is interested in being a museum employee or volunteer at the Manor, please contact us to schedule an interview. We are searching for history lovers who have some hospitality/food experience and are looking for part time work (up to 20 hours per week). Usually 10:30 am to 2:30 pm Monday through Sunday. Must be physically able to carry up to 40 pounds and walk up and down five flights of stairs without assistance. Please call Anita at 412.721.3186 if you want to schedule an interview.
Enjoy the fall weather. Hope to see you at the Manor!! AFB MMS JEB