Wednesday Addams, Glinda the Good Witch, Link or a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle – regardless of who your kid wants to dress as for Halloween, they are all invited to the Monster Mansion trick-or-treat event at Lord Mansion in Olympia on October 31, 2025, hosted by The Evergreen State College.
“I think the mansion is gorgeous and love the history of it,” says Susan Keefe, event space organizer for The Evergreen State College. “The neighborhood is so exciting on Halloween, we really wanted to be part of the community and participate in this fun event.”
All-Ages Trick-or-Treat Event in Olympia
Really, is there anything better than going to a historic mansion on Halloween night? Something so iconic we see it in many of our favorite fall flicks, from “Casper” to “Hocus Pocus” (the go trick-or-treating at Allison’s mansion!).
So, be like those kids and don’t be scared, the Monster Mansion is all treats and no tricks! “The exterior decor is not very scary,” says Keefe. “We try and keep it very friendly for all ages.” The event takes place at the exterior grounds of the Lord Mansion from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This trick-or-treat event is free and all are invited, even well-behaved leashed dogs! Are you a curious adult just wanting to check out an awesomely decked-out Halloween mansion? You’re welcome too! The interior of the home will be closed to the public for this event.
Be sure to have your phones charged, because you will want take lots of photos with the decorations. And Speedy, the Evergreen mascot, will be there from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for photos too!
Started four years ago by now-retired Evergreen employee Susan Harris, Keefe was excited to step up and take over the event. “When she retired, I knew I wanted to take over the role as the Monster Mansion coordinator. I really love coordinating this event.”
Halloween History at the Lord Mansion in Olympia
The Evergreen State College event is not the first Halloween to be celebrated at the Lord Mansion. In fact, it’s a lovely homage to the Lord family, especially Elizabeth Lord, who loved the holiday. “The Lord family helped to establish trick-or-treating in the South Capitol Neighborhood in the 1920s,” shares Bryce Winkelman, auxiliary services, The Evergreen State College. “Evergreen hosting the Monster Mansion helps re-create the Lord Family’s love of children trick-or-treating on Halloween.”
The following excerpt, taken from “The Memories of Helen Lord Lucas,” who was the daughter of Clarence J. Lord and Elizabeth Lord, gives us a rare glimpse of Halloween a century ago – and shows us just how little the holiday has really changed:
TRICK OR TREAT
Mrs. Lord was very fond of children as were they of her. She was never happier than when she was among a group of young people. Halloween became an especially big event for the Lord household. It all started when a few of the neighborhood children came asking for a treat. Mrs. Lord said, “Yes, I’ll give you a treat if you will give me a trick.” So, the children did their best. Some sang songs, recited poems, told jokes and riddles, while another stood on his hands and did somersaults in the living room. When they had performed, Mrs. Lord gave each of them a candy bar (a real big one). As the years went by, and the crowds increased, the local stores where she bought the bars laid in an extra supply of Hershey’s bars for Mrs. Lord’s Halloween. Over the years the word got out and the number of children grew into the HUNDREDS ringing the doorbell at the Lord Family residence. The older children put on impromptu plays. It grew so big that friends were enlisted to come in and help direct traffic, getting the children in and out. Helen has said it was the most gratifying to her that Helen’s own son was able to do his trick or treat and get his Hershey bar before mom moved out of the house.
The Evergreen State College is proud to honor the Lord family with this fun community event. “It’s stories like the above that help Evergreen keep the building and Lord family history alive,” shares Winkelman. “And how Evergreen can use the building to tell stories of the past, share present research and findings from our faculty and students, and help other families make memories through their rental of the building.”
They want the community to come together, have fun and get a few treats. “We give out approximately 1,800 goodie bags,” shares Keefe. “Several folks at the college spend their lunch time stuffing the bags. I am so appreciative of their help!”
So set those phone reminders for the Monster Mansion event!
Monster Manion Trick-or-Treat
Lord Mansion
211 21st Avenue SW, Olympia
October 31, 2025
4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sponsored
