New Washington event involves paranormal investigators, horror flick

WASHINGTON — The Washington Chamber of Commerce has announced a new event close to Halloween, inviting guests to learn from community members while the “guests of honor are all deceased inhabitants of the world’s oldest movie theater” - the Washington State Theatre.

Three haunted locations will open their doors for “overnight paranormal investigations,” according to a Chamber news release.

Riverside Iowa Paranormal will lead a night of discovery in the Victorian View, the Blair House, and the State Theatre, which has shown moving pictures since the 1890s. The evening will also include paranormal investigations, a classic horror film, Tarot readings, reiki, sound bath, and crystals by Higher-Self Holistics, LLC.

“We are excited to bring this new event to the community, which offers a Halloween activity that also honors the history and past of one of Washington's most unique buildings, the State Theatre,” read a statement from the Chamber. “Over the years, many employees of the theater have had unexplained experiences that our friends at Riverside Iowa Paranormal (RIP) are hoping to shed light on.”

The State Theatre, formerly known as the Graham Opera House, has been the site of a fire and is recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest continuously operating cinema in the world. The Victorian View is now a bridal shop, but inhabitants have reported “disembodied voices and shadow figures,” according to the Chamber. The ornate Blair House was built in 1860 and has since served as a city hall, a home to several families, and is now registered as a historic building.

The night’s events will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 28 and will conclude at “the witching hour” of 3 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online through the city website, washingtoniowa.gov.