FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 19, 2007

Contact: Johnathan Campbell

(701) 328-9528

HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREATERS INVITED TO VISIT ‘HAUNTED’
FORMER GOVERNORS’ MANSION IN BISMARCK OCTOBER 31

BISMARCK – Trick-or-treaters are invited to visit the Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site in Bismarck this Halloween for a treat and a bit of history on Wednesday, October 31, from 5 to 8 p.m. Hot cider, cookies, and a Halloween treat for those in costume, young and old alike, will be part of the fun night.

Haunted houses and Halloween go hand-in-hand, and after dark with the lights turned low, the Former Governors’ Mansion can be a spooky place indeed. Folklore has it that former Governor Frank Briggs (1858-98), who died in office, still haunts the place to this day.

Briggs was the state’s first governor to die in office. He served from January 6, 1897 until August 9, 1898, when he died from tuberculosis at the age of 39.

The Former Governors’ Mansion is located at the corner of Fourth Street and Avenue B near downtown Bismarck. The site consists of a large two and one-half story, restored Victorian house, and newly restored 1903 carriage house. Built in 1884, it housed 20 chief executives of North Dakota between 1893 and 1960. Unique exhibits feature the restoration process, architectural style changes and furniture used by several governors. The beautiful grounds feature many examples of the types of flowers typical of the Victorian era.

One of 55 state historic sites managed by the state’s history agency, the State Historical Society of North Dakota (SHSND), it is open the second Friday and Saturday of each month during the winter, as well as from May 16 through September 15, Wednesdays through Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

For more information, contact the SHSND at (701) 328-2666 or visit the agency’s web site at www.nd.gov/hist.

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