The Viillains exhibit will be open from September 29 through November 17, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You may peruse the exhibit at your leisure in the light of day without fear or apprehension. Hours are also available by appointment for tours or room rentals. Admission is $10, $7 for students and seniors.

This year’s Nightmare on Main was titled Villains—Mayhem, Madness and Murder. It had two separate venues, depending on your inclination. Evening Live Performances. There is the popular evening venue where some 45 actors came alive in skits dramatizing people who’ve made their mark in history with their villainous acts. The presentation focused on villains from around the turn of the 20th century. The format for these dramas differs from traditional stage presentations. Audience members—we call them guests—move from skit to skit in groups of eight, covering the grounds of the Mill Museum including the parking lot and adjacent Dugan Hall. This more intimate setting lets actors bring the drama to guests in a personal and memorable way, though it must be noted that actors do not touch the guests. A full tour of the skits takes about 50 minutes.  The show is fully handicap-accessible. Content is meant to enlighten guests on some of history’s most notorious villains and is not recommended for children under 10. Please keep that in mind when planning to attend next year. Daytime Exhibit guests can walk through the scenes from the evening performances and learn in greater detail about each featured villain.

 

The Windham Textile and History Museum is located at 411 Main Street, Willimantic, CT. To contact the museum, go to millmuseum.org or call 860-456-2178.