5th Annual Candlelight Mourning Tour

Death Was an Art, and Mourning Had Its Own Rules!

Would you wear jewelry made from the hair of someone you loved? Cover every mirror in your home when a family member died? Or spend years dressed in black, following strict rules about what you could wear, where you could go, and when you were allowed to return to society?

To us, some of these traditions might seem strange, perhaps even a little unsettling. But to families living in the Victorian era, they were deeply meaningful expressions of love, respect, and remembrance.

And believe us, the Victorians had some fascinating ways of saying goodbye!

This October 30, we invite you to step inside the historic 1888 Meux Home for our 5th Annual Candlelight Mourning Tour, where the curious, sometimes peculiar, and surprisingly heartfelt traditions of Victorian mourning come to life.

Imagine entering a home illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight and historic gasoliers, just as it might have been before electricity changed the world.

The mirrors are covered. Black mourning crepe hangs throughout the home. The rooms have been prepared for mourning, and our volunteers, dressed in period attire, are ready to welcome you into a world where grief followed a remarkable set of customs and expectations.

Why were mirrors covered? What was the purpose of mourning jewelry? Why were photographs of deceased loved ones sometimes taken after death? And did you know that even the length of time a person mourned could be influenced by social etiquette?

As you make your way through the home, discover the answers to these questions and more. Learn about funeral traditions, mourning clothing, memorial photography, keepsakes made from human hair, and the curious beliefs that shaped how Victorian families honored their dead.

Some customs may make you smile. Others might leave you scratching your head. A few may even give you a chill. Yet each reveals something surprisingly familiar about the human experience: the desire to remember those we love and keep a part of them close.

Now, before you get the wrong idea…

There are no ghosts waiting to jump out, no frightening surprises, and no haunted house theatrics. This is not a fright attraction! Our Candlelight Mourning Tour is a historical and educational experience that invites you to explore the unusual side of Victorian life in an atmosphere perfectly suited to the season.

Whether you’re fascinated by history, curious about old traditions, or simply looking for something different to do before Halloween, this is an evening you won’t want to miss.

Plan Your Visit

Date: Friday, October 30, 2026

Tour Times: Every 20 minutes beginning at 6:00 PM, with the final tour departing at 9:00 PM.

Admission: $20 per person

Tour Duration: Approximately 40 minutes

Group Size: Only 10 guests per tour

Age Requirement: Guests must be 7 years or older due to the low lighting and potential risk of trips and falls inside the historic home.

Arrival: Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time. Check in will take place on the front porch at the museum’s main entrance, where complimentary light refreshments will be available.

A Few Things to Know Before You Go

Tickets must be purchased online in advance. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Your email purchase confirmation serves as your ticket.

All sales are final. Tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable, and reservations cannot be exchanged for another tour time.

With only 10 guests admitted per tour, space is limited. We encourage you to reserve your preferred time before tickets sell out.

History is waiting, the candles are glowing, and the Victorians have quite a few stories left to tell.

Join us for an evening of curious customs, heartfelt traditions, and a glimpse into the world of Victorian mourning.

Every ticket purchased supports the preservation and continued operation of the Meux Home Museum, a nonprofit historical museum operated entirely by volunteers.