In November 2019, Woodlawn (National Trust for Historic Preservation) came alive with a one-of-a-kind 1920s Halloween gala. That evening, guests stepped back in time for an unforgettable night of intrigue and entertainment. Inspired by speakeasy glamour and whodunit suspense, the vintage Halloween celebration blended history with theatrical flair.
Woodlawn Whodunit: A Site-Specific Suspense
Creator Clara Everhart wrote the evening’s mystery game with guidance from site director Amanda Phillips. Together, they crafted an immersive murder mystery spotlighting one of Woodlawn’s real Jazz Age owners, Elizabeth Montgomery Sharpe.1 A fantastic cast of docents and volunteers brought the mystery to life with flair and energy.
To begin the evening, ticketholders gathered under the lawn tent in Woodlawn’s side garden. There, they sipped refreshments as a swing band set the mood. Soon, the cast of characters appeared to reveal the mystery of Miss Sharpe’s disappearance. Guests stepped inside the historic house by table number, searching the rooms for five puzzles and the hidden speakeasy. The night closed with a final set from the swing band. At last, the hosts revealed the answer to the mystery puzzle with a flourish. Finally, every winning table claimed a bottle of giggle water — champagne, of course — raising a toast to a night of hidden clues and high spirits.
Six Puzzles Straight from the Jazz Age
- Mayhem in the Music Room
Someone hit more than a sour note… - Betrayal in the Boudoir
The heiress’ hideaway is hiding more than high society hush-hush. - Bills & Blackmail in the Banker’s Bedroom
Debts, deceptions, and some very creative accounting… was the price of admission murder? - Gossip in the Guest’s Getaway
Gloves, gossip, and a guilty conscience — the perfect place for a peek behind closed doors. - Safecracking in the Supply Storage
What lies behind lock and key could crack the whole case. - The Secret Speakeasy
If you know the password, the drinks are strong, the alibis stronger, and the truth harder to swallow.
VIP Alexandria Magazine – Story & Photography by JD Davis
The Smoke and Mirrors Mystery Soiree kept everyone on their toes recently at Woodlawn Mansion. The evening focused on discovering and assimilating clues scattered throughout the mansion and its property to solve a mystery; the mansion was rumored to be haunted and featured 1920s decor that added to the atmosphere of the evening. Participants dressed accordingly for the theme, and 1920s music by live performers accompanied the night. Participants also used the game night as a networking event as it is a popular pastime for Alexandria professionals. The night ended with a final performance by the band, food and drinks, and the answer to the night’s mystery puzzle.
- Miss Sharpe took up residence at Woodlawn in 1924. ↩︎
Leave a Reply