photo by: Ann Dean

One-card tarot readings were given at the Lawrence Arts Center's "Haunting Humanities" booth last year. The event is sponsored by KU's Hall Center for the Humanities.

Ghosts of Lawrence suffragists will be in Abe & Jake’s Landing Wednesday night, sharing facts about their work in the women’s suffrage movement, which celebrates 100 years in 2020.

But don’t worry, there won’t really be trapped spirits haunting the venue. The “ghosts” will be there as part of the “Haunting Humanities: Disciplines in the Dark” event put on by the University of Kansas’ Hall Center for the Humanities.

The 5:30-9 p.m. event is free and open to the public and will feature over 25 booths, tables and rooms filled with activities, games, food, performances and lectures. It’s “a science fair for the humanities with a Halloween twist,” according to a news release from the Hall Center.

Jane Barnette, a KU associate professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance, said it was one of the “more exciting” events KU puts on.

“I love the idea of a haunted house full of well-researched topics,” she said in the release.

Over 600 people attended the event last year, Hall Center communications coordinator Eliott Reeder said.

Richard Godbeer, the Hall Center’s director and an expert on witch trials and witchcraft, will present “Witch-Hunt(ed),” a choose your own witch-venture. He will be aided by KU lecturer Sean Gullickson and KU students. Marta Caminero-Santangelo, KU’s director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean studies, will tell of the legend of La Llorona, “the Mexican Boogey-Woman.” And the Kansas City Public Library will host a “Breakout Box” game based on the “Pretty Boy” Floyd Union Station Massacre.

Other booths will have face painting, haunting haiku and spooky paper plane making.

There will be something for all ages, and each exhibit is rated G, PG, PG-13 or R, depending on age appropriateness.

The event will feature Terrebonne’s Po’Boys, April’s Sweet Treats and “spooky boutique cocktails” from Abe & Jake’s bar. It will conclude with a short concert from the KU Chamber Orchestra and a dance performance by KU students choreographed by KU dance lecturer Maya Tillman-Rayton.