Ravenwood Manor: A Halloween Hot Spot

“Will you survive the night?” is the question asked to those attending the Ravenwood Manor Haunted Attraction located in the Hegarty Mansion in Beccaria. This year’s theme involves a doctor doing dark rituals in his quest for eternal life, binding souls to the home. (Photo from Ravenwood Manor Facebook page)

By Julie Rae Rickard

BECCARIA – Each fall, the beautiful Hegarty Mansion in Beccaria is transformed into the popular haunted attraction, Ravenwood Manor.

For over 20 years this highly anticipated scary event has been part of the Halloween season bringing hundreds of people nightly to this remote area of Clearfield County.

Each season has a new story line with unique sets, costumes and props. This year the home dares people to “Come to the mansion on the mountain, where darkness dwells!”

“Nestled in the rural outskirts of Beccaria, PA, Ravenswood Manor invites you to uncover the chilling secrets hidden within its walls,” it says on their website.

“Built in 1863 by Dr. Victor Blackwood, the Mansion became infamous as the site of dark rituals and forbidden experiments. Dr. Blackwood’s quest for eternal life led to unspeakable horrors, binding the souls of his victims to the house,” is the story in 2024.

Planning of the story lines and costumes starts as early as the spring, according to Melissa Anders, owner of the Hegarty Mansion.

Many hours are spent on scenic and costume designs before they begin the elaborate setup at the three-story home.

“You will experience dozens of seasoned actors, Animatronics and Pneumatic props to catch you off guard,” it says on their website.

“The fun begins as soon as you park your car so be on the lookout for looming creatures. 

“During the 20 minute tour you will find our actors are engaging and interactive. Our scare team is dead serious about what they do.”

This year they have food vendors on site including Stromboli Land which serves stromboli and pizza, and the Garbage Pit with burgers, buffalo chicken and fries. Additional vendors will change each weekend.

To further entertain those waiting for their scare experience, a “Halloween Disk Jockey” will be spinning tunes on Fridays and Saturdays.

Ravenwood Manor is open each weekend in October on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00 p.m. to Midnight and Sundays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Tickets for adults are $18 and for children under 10-years-old admission is $15.00. (They advise that most children under 8-years-old are too young to enjoy this attraction.) VIP tickets can be purchased for $30 that allows people to avoid the often long lines.

Veterans and their families will receive $5 off each of their tickets.

Even before the first haunted house event here, the Hegarty Mansion had a local reputation for being haunted.

“Yes, there are several spirits that still reside in the mansion. Who they are, I have no idea. They are not naughty,” Anders reportedly said in a previous interview.

During a special “Twilight Tour” of the home with the Mo-Valley Paranormal group this summer, I witnessed some unusual activity and may have discovered the identity of one of those spirits.

Our tour highlight was a “conversation” with Samuel Hegarty, who built the home in 1865. He communicated by using a “dead bell” which is an old style reception bell that is triggered by an electromagnetic field (EMF).

When the responses were quick and seemingly intelligent, Tyson yelled for the owner of the home, Melissa to join us.

Via the bell, “Samuel” indicated that he likes what Melissa has done with the home but is not happy with the annual haunted house.

After Tyson Lidgett, who was leading the investigation, explained to “Samuel” that the funds raised during the event helps Melissa maintain and keep the home, Sam “ringed” that it was okay.

Hegarty’s grandfather, also named Samuel, and his wife Josephine’s grandfather, Arthur Bell were among the first settlers in the county, according to the book Images of America: Clearfield County. Josephine’s father, Grier, is said to be the second white child born in Clearfield County.

Samuel Hegarty was a successful businessman who was involved in the lumber and coal industries. He was a leader in the community that started a bank, company store and one of the first Presbyterian Churches in 1832.

The Hegarty family lived in this home until 1969. In 1993 it was purchased by an organization that treated people with psychiatric illnesses. Anders began restoring the home in 1998.

If you miss the haunted house in October, you might want to check out their “Christmas Nightmares” tour.

This is the second year for this new offering and is back due to a successful run in 2023. The nightmares are for only four nights in December: Friday, Dec. 13, Saturday, Dec. 14 and Friday, Dec. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 21.

“Be ready for a hauntingly good time this holiday season!” it teases on their website.

For more information on this or any events at the mansion, go to their website, www.hegartymansion.com or check out their Facebook page.