Some have called the Ximenez-Fatio House, located in St. Augustine on America's oldest street, a real haunted house. Now, brave souls will have an opportunity to explore this legend as the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum’s third annual Twilight Tour focuses on “fatal folklore.” Members of the public can take the tour every Friday and Saturday evening in October and the first weekend of November.
As the sun sets, it admittedly gets a little spooky at this former boarding house, located at 20 Aviles St. Many came to stay at Miss Fatio’s Boarding House, but some never returned home. At least 13 people have died in the house, which was built in 1798.
Those taking the tour will hear about the spookier side of the house and learn about some of the interesting guests who stayed there and the families who owned the property in the more-than two centuries it has been standing. Stories of Spanish merchants, soldiers stationed in St. Augustine, single ladies who ran their own businesses and more are associated with the house.
Guests may even have the chance to meet the house’s spirit friend, Little Miss Madison, who likes to run up and down the stairs, move items in the museum and play with a dollhouse on the third floor.
“Twilight Tour: Fatal Folklore” is a family-friendly nighttime activity. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and takes guests through the 18th-century home, where they will hear the stories and history of the house not normally heard on the daytime tour.
Reservations are required at ximenezfatiohouse.org/twilightreservations.
Tours are offered at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. nightly on Oct. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 and on Nov. 5 and 6.
