The Smithtown Historical Society is opening a new haunted trail on its East Main Street grounds for Spooky Woods and Trick O' Treat, a family Halloween event running Friday, October 23, through Sunday, October 25, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are $10 per person, children under 3 get in free, and the event is geared to kids 12 and under.

The event takes place at the society's headquarters, 239 East Main Street in Smithtown, on the property where the society keeps its historic houses and farm animals. Tickets can be bought in advance through Eventbrite or at the gate, where the society takes cash or Venmo only. The Eventbrite listing notes that tickets are not refundable.

What happens on the trail

According to the society's event page, guides lead visitors through the new haunted trail on an interactive walk. Along the route, children pass a Halloween display on one side and the society's farm animals on the other. After the walk, families can trick or treat on the grounds and browse craft and food vendors, and the society hints that a few friendly ghosts may turn up.

The format is aimed at younger children rather than teenagers or adults looking for a scare. The society describes it as family friendly, and the Eventbrite listing says the grounds will be decorated for Halloween across the three nights. Each session runs three hours, so families can go after school on Friday or after dinner on the weekend.

The farm family

The animals along the trail are residents of the society's Franklin O. Arthur Farm. The society lists ponies and horses, sheep, goats, chickens and bunnies among its farm family, and many of them have lived on the property for years. The farm is part of the same campus, and the animals appear at many of the society's public events through the year, from festivals to yoga classes.

The society relies on donations and volunteers to feed and care for the animals, and it accepts both through its website.

Volunteers, sponsors and vendors

The society is still looking for help with Spooky Woods. Residents who want to volunteer, sponsor the event or sign up as a vendor can download a volunteer form from the event page or contact the society by email at [email protected] or by phone at 631-265-6768.

About the Smithtown Historical Society

Founded in 1955 and chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, the Smithtown Historical Society preserves and interprets Long Island history through its buildings, collections and school programs. In 1982 it merged with the Smithtown Branch Preservation Association, which broadened its scope and membership.

Its properties include the Franklin O. Arthur Farm, with a farmhouse whose front section dates to the early 18th century; the Judge John Lawrence Smith Homestead, used for school programs; the Epenetus Smith Tavern, a pre-Revolutionary building that was once a stop on the Brooklyn to Sag Harbor stagecoach route; the one-room Old Smithtown Library from around 1890; and the Frank Brush Barn, built in 1900 by the town undertaker and moved to the site in 1988. The society's headquarters is Roseneath Cottage, a 1918 arts and crafts bungalow that was fully restored.

Membership is open to anyone, and the society's education programs bring students in grades 3 to 5 to the grounds to learn about Long Island from the Colonial era through the Civil War.

More on the society's calendar

Spooky Woods is one of several public events the society has scheduled this fall. On Monday, October 19, at 7 p.m., the Frank Brush Barn hosts a free lecture on the historic schoolhouses of Long Island, given by Zachary N. Studenroth, who co-wrote a book on the subject with historian Kurt E. Kahofer for the Images of America series. No reservation is needed, but seating is limited to 50 people.

In December, the society holds its Holiday Trail of Lights from December 4 to 6, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly, with holiday lights, Santa, live music and family activities. Tickets for that event are sold by night through Eventbrite. The society's Holiday Luncheon at the Brush Barn costs $50 per person, with an RSVP required by December 10.

How to go

Spooky Woods and Trick O' Treat runs October 23, 24 and 25, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 East Main Street, Smithtown. Admission is $10 per person, with children under 3 free. Buy tickets in advance on Eventbrite through the society's event page at smithtownhistorical.org, or pay at the gate with cash or Venmo. For questions, call 631-265-6768.

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