Step into the shadows for an evening of history and horror. Historian Rebecca LeMert will guide you through Halloween’s fascinating evolution—from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain to the trick-or-treat tradition we know today. Then, brace yourself as award-nominated author Mike Allen spins chilling tales guaranteed to haunt your imagination.
Your ticket includes event admission and a Bull & Bones–catered appetizer bar.
About the speakers:
Rebecca LeMert
Rebecca W. LeMert is from Radford, VA and holds a B.A. (2015) and M.A. (2017) in history and public history from Virginia Tech. Rebecca has previously worked in operations and visitor services at the Museums at Washington and Lee University and in non-profit development at Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity in Lexington, VA. Recently, she returned to her roots in public history and is now the Annual Giving & Operations Manager at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Charlottesville, VA.
As a longtime avid consumer of horror literature, film, and all things spooky, Rebecca's graduate research focuses on the history of our strangest holiday, Halloween—which embraces all these things—and how and why it first took hold in the United States to eventually spread across the entire country.
Matt Allen
Mike Allen writes spooky things — a Publishers Weekly reviewer called his poems and stories "nightmare fuel." Two of his collections of horror tales, Unseaming and Aftermath of an Industrial Accident, were nominees for the Shirley Jackson Award, named after the author of The Haunting of Hill House. In 2025, he's having two new books released: his post-apocalyptic zombie novel The Black Fire Concerto came out in April, and his Appalachian horror novel Trail of Shadows will come out in October. With his wife Anita he runs publishing house Mythic Delirium Books in Roanoke. Follow him on Instagram @mythicdelirium and Bluesky @mythicdelirium.bsky.social.
Please note: This event contains mature themes and is best suited for adult audiences.
Tickets Coming Soon! All proceeds benefit Historic Smithfield and its educational programming.