Ottawa Memorial Auditorium partially submerged in floodwater, 1951. Photo by Robert Blair
OTTAWA, Kan. – Stories of otherworldly activities have haunted the century-old Ottawa Memorial Auditorium for decades. This October, ghost hunters will have the opportunity to investigate the rumors themselves.
Ottawa Memorial Auditorium and the Franklin County Historical Society are partnering to take investigators behind the scenes to confirm or refute stories of ghosts in the historic auditorium.
Two two-hour guided ghost hunts will be offered 6-8 p.m. and 9-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. The ghost hunt or “Stage Fright” will include a history of the auditorium presented by FCHS executive director Diana Staresinic-Deane, guided access to public and backstage spaces for investigations, and an end-of-evening gathering to discuss findings. Stage Fright is recommended for ages 14 and up.
Saturday evening, Oct. 26, Boos and Brews will be offered 7-10 p.m. This event includes a presentation of the history of the auditorium, guided access to public and backstage spaces, and additional access to spaces during free range paranormal investigation time. Boos and Brews will end boos with brews – an end-of-night gathering to discuss findings over beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and food. Participants must be 21 or older.
Bereft of a community meeting space after Rohrbaugh Auditorium was destroyed by fire in 1914, the citizens of Ottawa passed a $75,000 bond issue to build the 1,400-seat Ottawa Memorial Auditorium in 1919. Famed Kansas architect George P. Washburn was commissioned to design the new building, which would also serve as a memorial to honor fallen World War I soldiers and sailors from Franklin County. One of Ottawa’s oldest still-standing churches was moved to make room for the auditorium, which was completed in time for opening night on March 15, 1921. During the past century, it has served as the meeting place for the American Legion and hosted thousands of performances. The auditorium has also held many funerals, was the site of at least one suspicious death, and suffered through numerous floods, most notably the 1951 flood.
Stage Fright tickets for Oct. 25 are $50.Boos and Brews tickets for October 26 are $100 and include food and two drink tickets plus access to a cash bar. Visit ottawamemorialauditorium.com for more information or to order tickets. Funds raised benefit Ottawa Memorial Auditorium and the Franklin County Historical Society. Please note that while the auditorium itself is ADA accessible, the backstage areas are not; contact the auditorium for questions about accessibility. Ottawa Memorial Auditorium is located at 301 S. Hickory Street in Ottawa, Kan.
For more information, contact Ottawa Memorial Auditorium at 785-242-8810 or the Franklin County Historical Society at 785-242-1232.
