Magic and Mystery
About the Tours
Starting again April 13
Downtown York Ghost Tour
Long overlooked by fans of the paranormal and mystical, historically edgy York, PA, finally gets its due. After decades in the shadow of neighbors like Gettysburg and Lancaster, York steps up to take its rightful place in the world of mystery and mayhem with Rissa's well-researched haunted history walk.
Set in the rich history of downtown York City, the program flows from Native times into the 1970s, with stories of ghosts, witchcraft, fortune tellers, urban legends, and nearby monsters.
Springtime Tours: April 13, April 18, May 18, May 24
Ghouls' Night Out is a ladies-only evening that focuses on the female hauntings of York, as well as remarkable women in York's story. Bring your gal pals, sisters, moms, aunts, or other female-identifying friends for tales of York's many feminine ghosts, as well as the fascinating women's history of our town.
-
Have you heard about Catherine, wife of the town pharmacist who still walks the shop?
-
Did you know York denied women's suffrage in 1915?
-
Or that the wife of a famous Black business owner from York strongly contributed to the nation's love for Christmas trees?
This is not the usual haunted history walk, this is HERstory!
Get tickets for the May 24 all-girls tour, $25
Esoterica Talks
History of Pennsylvania Witches
Gather your magic and join Rissa on a journey through time as we visit a Quaker court; wander the woods to gather healing herbs; stand at the Lancaster gallows; meet mysterious beasts by the river; sit across the table from most-wanted palm readers; and come all the way into the 1920s for a world-famous case of murder and betrayal.
Every state has a story when it comes to witchcraft; Pennsylvania is no exception. While the Keystone state has no claims like Salem (thankfully), we have significant legends and lore. The history of witches is often a closer look at a place's way of seeing women and people from other cultures in past communities. This is where our evening begins...
-
April 24, 7pm, Hanover, PA ~ at The Serpent's Key, $25
-
May 17, 5pm Gettysburg, PA ~ at the Haunted Homestead Orphange, hosted by Ghostly Images of Gettysburg, $30
Lore of the Werewolf - NEW PROGRAM!
Step into the shadows of a tragic and terrifying legend to explore the eerie history of werewolf lore across cultures, including Pennsylvania!
From medieval Europe’s fearsome beast-men to shape-shifters of Native American, Norse, and Asian traditions, this talk delves into the myths, superstitions, and real-world events that fuel werewolf fascination. Discover how different societies interpreted the transformation of man (and woman) into beast—whether as a curse, a warrior’s gift, or a dark punishment. Join us for the changes of the werewolf through the ages and into modern times.
-
May 16, 7pm, Hanover, PA ~ at The Serpent's Key, tickets coming soon
Wander in the Woods: Pennsylvania's Cryptids
What lurks in the dark forest or swims in the deep waters of Pennsylvania? Meet your neighborhood cryptids. These beloved beasts offer different ways to understand the history of the state. Be it the Sea Serpent winding through the Susquehanna River, the sinister werewolves of Lancaster County, or the sobbing Squonk from Franklin County's hemlock forests, each of these monsters will spark your imagination and make you wonder what is possible in the shadows, just at the edge of your mind's eye...
Even as cryptids are having a modern burst of popularity ~ PA's furry little Albatwitch has its own festival ~ their history and stories extend back in history. These mysterious creatures have been with us for thousands of years, changing and evolving as we do, reflecting their region's identity.
The Channel
Can't get enough of the mystery? Rissa has been collecting ghost stories and other supernatural lore from PA residents and creating YouTube shorts. The channel, called Listentomeinthedark, grows each week with more brief ~and true~ stories from Pennsylvania residents. Want to share your story? Please email Rissa.
Bring the magic to your group or business. In addition to ghosts, Rissa also offers deeply researched programs with a list of previous sell-out performances...
-
History of Pennsylvania Witches
-
Wander in the Woods: Pennsylvania's Cryptids
-
History of Superstitions
-
Full Moon Lore
-
13 UnMerry Monsters/A Creepy Little Christmas
-
Love Never Dies: Hauntimg Valloween Stories
-
Grave Obsessions:Victorian Death Rituals
-
History of Tarot
She can create team-building experiences for your company, fundraising entertainment for your charity, or a personalized set of Campfire Stories, including the customized, researched history of your space or property.
