museum EVENTS WITH TROY TAYLOR - SUMMER 2026
JULY 18, 2026:
GHOSTS OF TOMBSTONE
WILD WEST WHISKEY & WYATT EARP!
Join author Troy Taylor for a presentation on “Wyatt Earp and the Spirits of Tombstone,” a look at the true story of lawman Wyatt Earp, the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and the lingering spirits of Tombstone, Arizona, a “town too tough to die.”
This special night will also include a tasting of Western-themed whiskey for adults only! 21 and Older for this event -- does not include dinner!
JULY 25, 2026:
EVENING WITH BONNIE AND CLYDE
Troy Taylor presents “An Evening with Bonnie and Clyde,” the true story of the star-crossed couple and their life of fast cars, gunfights, robbery, and romance! Amidst all the bloodshed, danger, and daring, Bonnie and Clyde became legends, leaving behind a troubling legacy of murder, mayhem, and even ghosts. If you love the stories of the outlaws of 1930s America, this is a night you won’t want to miss!
AUGUST 1, 2026:
ANNUAL LIZZIE BORDEN DINNER
Troy Taylor presents the true story of the Borden murders in Massachusetts, and offering an in-depth look at the events that have since become one of the most famous crimes in American history! Join us for this year’s anniversary event with NEW material added every year!
AUGUST 8, 2026:
EVENING WITH THE ST. LOUIS EXORCISM
Join Troy Taylor for the UNCENSORED, true story of the 1949 St. Louis Exorcism! In this updated and eye-opening presentation, he reveals the full story for the first time, uncovering shocking details that have never been told before. UPDATED AND UNCENSORED!
AUGUST 14, 2026:
CHAMBER OF HORRORS FUNDRAISER EVENT
Join us at the American Oddities Museum for a special fundraiser event that includes a preview of the new exhibit, an exclusive shirt, and a never-before-offered presentation by Troy Taylor called “Secret Psychopaths.”
TICKET FOR THE FUNDRAISER INCLUDES:
* Sneak Preview of the new exhibit!
* Chamber of Horrors Shirt
* Special Presentation by Troy Taylor
* And More!
AUGUST 15, 2026:
IN THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS
Troy Taylor presents “In the Valley of the Kings,” a journey back in time to the opening of King Tut’s Tomb and the mysterious curse that was said to plague everyone involved in its discovery. Was the curse real, or simply mythology? That’s up to you to decide on this special night of the strange, unusual, and the macabre – you don’t want to miss it.
TOURS WITH TROY TAYLOR
SUMMER & FALL 2026
HAUNTED PUB CRAWL
(SEE DATES BELOW)
Join Troy Taylor for a walking tour of downtown that reveals not only the haunted history and true crime stories of Alton's riverfront, but also visits at least five of our local pubs with resident ghosts that have helped Alton to earn the nickname of "One of the Most Haunted Small Towns in America!"
ZOMBIE PUB CRAWL
(SEE DATES BELOW)
Author Troy Taylor introduced the "Zombie Pub Crawl" to Chicago back in 2008, and now he's bringing this seasonal event to Alton! Join him for a walking tour of downtown -- IN ZOMBIE COSTUME AND MAKE-UP -- for the haunted history, true crime, and spirited pubs of the Alton riverfront. Find out why Alton is "One of the Most Haunted Small Towns in America" and have a great time doing it!
GHOSTS OF THE RIVER ROAD DINNER TOURS (SEE DATES BELOW)
Join author Troy Taylor for Dinner and Spirits along the Great River Road from Alton to Grafton! The bus departs from the American Oddities Museum and heads to dinner at Bluff City Grill, followed by a haunted bus tour along the River Road. Discover the tales of history and hauntings with dark tales, eerie locations, and a stop for drinks at one of Grafton's legendary haunts!
JULY 24, 2026:
GREAT RIVER HAUNTINGS DINNER TOUR!
Join author Troy Taylor for Dinner and Spirits as we travel from Alton to Grafton -- but with different stories and locations from our other River Road Tour — then dinner at the Pere Marquette Lodge for their famous, family-style fried chicken dinner!
MUSEUM EVENTS WITH TROY TAYLOR - fALL 2026
SEPTEMBER 12, 2026:
EVENING WITH THE ST. LOUIS EXORCISM
Join Troy Taylor for the UNCENSORED, true story of the 1949 St. Louis Exorcism! In this updated and eye-opening presentation, he reveals the full story for the first time, uncovering shocking details that have never been told before. UPDATED AND UNCENSORED!
OCTOBER 3, 2026:
EVENING WITH THE ST. LOUIS EXORCISM
Join Troy Taylor for the UNCENSORED, true story of the 1949 St. Louis Exorcism! In this updated and eye-opening presentation, he reveals the full story for the first time, uncovering shocking details that have never been told before. UPDATED AND UNCENSORED!
OCTOBER 17, 2026:
THE BELL WITCH
TRUE STORY OF AN AMERICAN LEGEND
Troy Taylor presents the true story of the horror experienced by the Bell family of Adams, Tennessee, as an unseen entity attacked and brutalized them for more than four years! It is the only case in the annals of the supernatural in which a ghost actually murdered one of the people involved! You don’t want to miss this night of terror!
OCTOBER 22, 2026:
THE DEVIL CAME TO ST. LOUIS
THE TRUE STORY OF THE 1949 EXORCISM
Join author Troy Taylor for the chilling true story of the St. Louis Exorcism! Tickets for this event include admission to the American Oddities Museum starting at 6:00 PM. One hour later, at 7:00 PM, author Troy Taylor will be presenting “The Devil Came to St. Louis,” an uncensored look at the infamous St. Louis Exorcism of 1949!
OCTOBER 29, 2026:
IN A DARK PLACE
TRUE STORIES OF SINISTER HAUNTINGS, POSSESSIONS & POLTERGEISTS
Author Troy Taylor presents true accounts of history’s sinister strangers and terrifying hauntings -- based on his best-selling book! From malevolent spirits to demonic attackers to vengeful poltergeists, you’ll be sleeping with the lights on after this one! It’s a night of scary stories of ghosts, bizarre entities, and weird manifestations, and you’ll want to bring someone with you to hold your hand!
OCTOBER 31, 2026:
HOUDINI SEANCE FOR HALLOWEEN
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOUDINI'S DEATH!
Join author and host Troy Taylor at the American Oddities Museum in Alton for this special event! On Halloween night of 1926, Harry Houdini stepped through the curtain from this world to the next, promising that if it was possible to reach out from beyond the grave — he would do so! Over the years, there have been many attempts to reach Houdini in the next world — and despite several close calls — his spirit has remained elusive. Will this finally be the year?
NOVEMBER 7, 2026:
EVENING WITH H.H. HOLMES
THE TRUE STORY OF ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST SINISTER SERIAL KILLERS
Troy Taylor presents the true story of infamous serial killer H.H. Holmes, who created a “Murder Castle” in Chicago during the 1893 World’s Fair and lured an unknown number of victims to their deaths! Discover the horrific life and crimes of Holmes, who was dubbed the “Monster of 63rd Street",” and explore the legends that have followed in his wake, from his alleged ties to Jack the Ripper to the “Holmes Curse.” This is a night of history, horror, and hauntings that you don’t want to miss!
NOVEMBER 13, 2026:
AMERICAN MURDER HOUSES
TRUE STORIES OF HAUNTED CRIME SCENES
Troy Taylor presents "America's Murder Houses," where the spirits of the past still linger. Go behind the locked doors of both famous and little-known places where murder, violence, and brutal events have left a mark on the places where they happened! On this unsettling night, Troy will take you in search of houses where such tragedies occurred and where those incidents left a lingering haunting behind. This is one of the most chilling events we’ve ever offered, so you don’t want to miss it!
NOVEMBER 14, 2026:
EVENING WITH EDGAR ALLAN POE
Troy Taylor presents a look at the mysterious and macabre writer, his tragic life, unexplained death, and lingering hauntings. Delve into the strange and bizarre world of Edgar Allan Poe, from his early life to his tragic marriage, his insane grief, his dramatically failed career, his links to an unsolved murder, and the mystery of what happened to the writer in the days before his unsolved death. We’ll explore all this and more on this special night of mystery and madness!
NOVEMBER 21, 2026:
EVENING WITH THE ST. LOUIS EXORCISM
Join Troy Taylor for the UNCENSORED, true story of the 1949 St. Louis Exorcism! In this updated and eye-opening presentation, he reveals the full story for the first time, uncovering shocking details that have never been told before. UPDATED AND UNCENSORED!
DECEMBER 5, 2026:
EVENING WITH THE LEMP FAMILY
Troy Taylor presents the true story of the history and hauntings of the Lemp brewing family of St. Louis! The story of the Lemp family has become the stuff of legend, but the true story of their lives has become a confusing mix of myths, misconceptions, folklore, and outright lies – until now.
DECEMBER 11, 2026:
THE DEVIL CAME TO ST. LOUIS
THE TRUE STORY OF THE 1949 EXORCISM
Join author Troy Taylor for the chilling true story of the St. Louis Exorcism! Tickets for this event include admission to the American Oddities Museum starting at 6:00 PM. One hour later, at 7:00 PM, author Troy Taylor will be presenting “The Devil Came to St. Louis,” an uncensored look at the infamous St. Louis Exorcism of 1949!
DECEMBER 12, 2026:
SPIRITS OF CHRISTMAS
THE DARK SIDE OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON
In centuries past, it was the Christmas season when families gathered around the fire to tell ghost stories. This year, join author Troy Taylor for a private dinner and journey back in time for a holiday tradition of terror! Discover the eerie customs of the past, the Christmas monsters that haunted the dreams of our ancestors, and ghostly tales of holiday season tragedies, murders, and disasters that have left lingering spirits behind! Want to experience something different this season? This is the event for you!
