By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
CHARLESTOWN, N.H. — The historic Sumner House has had its stories over the years of being haunted, and on the weekend of Oct. 25 and 26, the restaurant is inviting those who like a little bit of a thrill to come join them for a “Haunted Halloween” dining experience that is “sure to make you scream.”
“This is the third year we have been doing this, and it has changed a bit, but last year was really popular where we sold out both nights,” said Ryan Ratner, who has been the general manager for the past nine years. “We seat the whole upstairs and downstairs, and the bar. The whole restaurant is transformed for those two nights.”
Ratner said the windows will all be blacked out, and he has plenty of Halloween animatronics designed to give guests some scares and some laughs while enjoying their meals. There will be “scare actors” walking around the establishment, scaring the customers while they eat.
“It really is like a sit-down haunted house,” Ratner said. “We’ll have lots of scary clowns and even Michael Myers walking around. I’ve got about 50 masks and a lot of scare props, loud noises, smoke machines and an Aztec death whistle that sounds like someone’s screaming when you blow into it. I’ve got an air-zooka that is like a sling shot for air. It’s a lot of fun.”
Ratner said the reactions have been a mixture of people who act like they aren’t scared to patrons who absolutely have a chill up their spine.
“Some people, it’s like a right of passage, like they are just saying, “If I can make it through this,” Ratner said. “It’s not for everyone and we know that, but we hope to get the people on that night who are into that kind of thing.”
The full menu will be available, but there will be specials with Halloween themes just in time for the event.
“There will be fancy names for the food and drink specials, you know, like Jason’s Stew or something along those lines,” Ratner said.
The Sumner House is located in the historic district of Charlestown, which is the longest National Register of Historic Places District in New Hampshire. Last year the building celebrated its 200th birthday, as it was built in 1823 and originally owned by Judge Frederick Augustus Sumner.
While the building transferred ownership several times since it was built, it is now owned by Rod and Carol Clark and is a fully restored restaurant offering casual dining and a pub. The large brick building has a definite feel of 19th century New Hampshire but revamped with an excellent array of tasty of food to offer.
Ratner said that while he has not seen anything involving specters or hauntings at the Sumner House, there are patrons who have reported such things. One notable photo came from a couple snapping a selfie, and a mysterious, ghostly face was photo bombing them.
“I’ve never seen anything, but we used to do a lot of live music here and there is a picture that exists with this many standing in the background,” Ratner. “That night we checked out the video cameras and there is no sign of this man, or anyone of that description. It’s very haunting.”
He added, “But nothing has ever happened to me! I wish it would, actually.”
Ratner said the love of Halloween is something that has been unwavering throughout his life. He called Halloween his favorite holiday of the year, and urges people to come over to The Sumner House for some food and some fright.
“I don’t think you feel alive until you’re scared, honestly,” Ratner said. “I like people who like to be scared and are into that. It’s fun and like being a kid again.”
The Sumner House is located at 122 Main Street in Charlestown, and open Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday from noon to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.
For more information log onto thesumnerhouse.com.
