(PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
MURDER … A group of volunteers plays the role of county sheriff and his deputy and stand over a pool of fake blood used to signify where the murder took place.
PARTICIPANTS … Over 40 participants for the first time slot came to sleuth out this year’s who done it at the Fulton County Museum. Participants worked together in their groups to collect clues and figure out who the killer was.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Museum of Fulton County once again captivated guests with its annual train-themed murder mystery, Murder on the New York Central, held on Saturday, March 22. This year’s event transported attendees into a thrilling night of sleuthing and suspense.
The evening was set against the backdrop of a county-wide class reunion, where out-of-town guests arrived in Wauseon by rail in celebration of Fulton County’s 175th birthday.
However, the festivities took a dark turn when the museum director was found murdered, launching attendees into an immersive detective experience.
With multiple showings offered, the event saw 42 tickets sold for the first timeslot, and 27 tickets sold for the second slot.
Attendees took on the role of amateur sleuths, questioning the cast of characters, including a mad professor, an inventor, a factory owner, a county sheriff, and a photographer, among others. Each character held crucial pieces of information that, if not revealed, would leave the mystery unsolved.
Attendees had to determine both the identity of the killer and the motive behind the crime, with clues ultimately pointing to the train conductor, who was written as the great-grandchild of a real-life conductor from an 1895 train robbery.
The event wasn’t just about entertainment as it also incorporated elements of real history. One such historical highlight came from a flashlight factory manager character, who proudly shared that during his time at the factory, they produced the flashlights used by Apollo 13 astronauts when their lights failed on the spacecraft.
To make things more eventful, guests were encouraged to dress in their high school colors to enhance the reunion theme.
A nostalgic touch was added with a replica snack car in the lobby, offering treats at authentic 1968 prices, ranging from 10 to 40 cents.
Event organizers Judy Warncke, Fiscal Officer, and Kayla Baker, Trustee, worked diligently to craft an engaging and historically rich experience for all.
This interactive mystery is just one of many exciting events the Museum of Fulton County is hosting to celebrate its We the People of Fulton County exhibit and the county’s 175th birthday.
Upcoming events include a 175th Birthday Party on April 1, Dining on the Orient Express on April 26, and a Mother’s Day Tea and National Train Day celebration on May 10.
For more information on museum events, tickets, and exhibits visit museumoffultoncounty.org or call 419-337-7922.