Feeling creepy? Kooky? All together spooky? October 18, Cortland County has the cure, with the return of the Curiosities Market. So call in sick and tell Lurch to pull the car around- the strange and unusual has taken over Cortland County. Spend the day shopping at an oddity & curiosity market, communing with the undead, and solving a unique murder mystery! Here in Cortland, we don't hide the peculiar, we flaunt it! Follow our morbid map for a curious day out.
STOP NO. 1: THE CORTLAND CURIOSITY MARKET
Experience Cortland
42 Main Street, Cortland
October 18 from 11am-5pm
For free parking, drive behind the Experience Cortland building on Haskel Place. You'll find two large parking lots. Look for general parking signs that read 2 hour/3 hour parking. Use the alley between Tompkins Community Bank and 42 Main Street to access the front doors of Experience Cortland! Need a ramp? Our back door will be open for your convince.
Do you love to fill your home with unusual? Perhaps with one-of-a-kind vintage finds and devilishly delicious sweet treats? Or maybe bones and memento mori art are more your style. Either way, Cortland's Curiosity Market is where you need to be Friday, October 18. From 11am-5pm shop the uncommon goods from 18 of Cortland's most curious makers, creators and curators.
A spooky house isn't a home without some macabre macrame and lush plants. Maslins Guarden weaves weirdly wonderful macrame peppered with spooky skulls perfect for Halloween. Need a center piece, stop at Floristry, where you discover dried bouquets to die for. From the Dirt Craftworks is home to a dragon's hoard of bones for sale. This tiny taxidermy shop specializes in ethically sourced oddities, bones and pickled bits, each perfect for your curiosity cabinet. Speaking of cabinet worthy collections, shop Finger Lakes Chick's Vintage collection of Victorian, Edwardian and ArtNevo and vintage kitsch. Perfect for the cottagecore enthusiast home. And no spooky home is complete with out some heirloom worthy dishware. Erron Hill Pottery will be on site with a limited run of spooky themed hand crafted pottery. For the finishing touch, be sure to stop by J. Majka Designs to shop his unforgettable memento mori art pieces.
Now that your home is ready for Halloween, it's time to curl up with a good bock and a sweet treat. The Cortland County Historical Society will be on site with a collection of books featuring strange and forgotten New York History. If fiction is more your vibe, check out the shelves at Cabinet 31, featuring a curated collection of strange and scary vintage books. Don't forget your sweet treat. Sinfully Sweet will be on hand to temp you with deviously delicious treats and chocolates, and for those of you who may have dietary restrictions, Cabinet 31 will be selling gluten free baked goods.
The vintage selection goes beyond the shelf with one-of-a-kind clothing. Crown City Curiosities will have a rack filled with fabulously retro wear perfect for the fashionista who feels they should have been born in another era and goodies for your inner-witch. No outfit is complete without a signature scent. The fine folks of Press Gurwitz Perfumerie will be on hand to help you craft your own unique fragrance. From woodsy candles to heavenly hand creams, your new scent will linger like a ghost in the room.
Embrace you inner dark queen with a some custom jewelry for your crown. Juni Dee Jewelry crafts daring, one-of-a-kind pieces filled with dried flowers. And what better way to check your refection than with a antique hand-painted mirror art by Good Neighbor Art. Beacon Peak LLC has turned spooky-cute into an artform, with her charming handmade jewelry featuring skeletons, moths, cats and coffee. A stop by their booth will put the finishing touch on your autumnal outfit.
The coffee isn't just for accessorizing at the Curiosity Market; Common Grounds is bringing a pop-up shop to the market featuring their signature cold foam ice coffee, fresh hot brew and iced tea. Now you can have your pumpkin spice and sip it, too!
Not a coffee drinker? How about a swig of Dragonfyre? Dragonfyre Distillery will be on site with their signature spirits. Locally sourced and crafted in copper stills, their whiskeys, bourbons, and brandy might just make you brave enough for a visit with Serendipitea Tarot. With 10 years of readings under her hat, she'll help you discover what's on your horizon with a private tarot spread.
Last but certainly not least is Cortland Curiosities. The Strange & Unusual History Trail now has its own line of macabre merch. Shop our cozy shirts and clever totes, proudly displaying your curious pride. Limited edition prints by local artist Jim Coon depicting some of our favorite curious tales will also be for sale, alongside everything you need to plan your next misadventure adventure.
STOP NO. 2: SPIRITS OF THE 1890 HOUSE TOUR
1890 House Museum
37 Tompkins Street, Cortland
October 18 from Noon-4:30pm ($10 admission)
Now that you shopping bags are full, it's time to head to Cortland most haunted mansion. In conjunction with Curiosities Market, The 1890 House is hosting a spooktacular, one day only tour.
The 1890 House Museum was the home of Chester Wickwire, his wife Ardell and later his son Fredric and his wife Marion. Guests often wonder if their spirits remain in the home. In 2016 Ghost Hunters investigated the home and since then several paranormal teams have explored the House. This unique tour of the House will include information on the people who lived in the home, history of Cortland’s early industrial era, and findings of the paranormal investigations through the years.
Do the spirits of the Wickwire family linger? Who is the little girl that plays tricks on the 3rd floor? Why were the mirrors above the fireplace removed in the 1920s? Who is still playing billiards and smoking cigars? Are you brave enough to see what specters might linger in the Victorian castle?
Admission $10(adult), Children (12+under) $5, under 5 years old(free). Tours offered at at 12:00, 1:30, 3:00 Guided tours only- you may purchase tickets on our webpage/events or day of the tour.
STOP NO. 3: MURDER SHE ROOT
M. Guardens on James
5 James Street, Homer
October 18 at 6pm ($45 admission)
In historic Homer, in a 100 year old shop, a mass murder has unfolded. It’s victims, a variety of rare, precious plants. It’s up to you, the soon to be soil sleuths to solve this devastating crime. Explore the clues while you sip deviously delicious cocktails and unfurl the mystery. Is it a serial killer, or has each been brought to its gruesome demise by the madness of many? Try not to lose you head, while you utilize your murder kit to discover who has dirt under their nails.
After you crack the case, you will concoct a plant potion to prevent future murders. Your murder kit will include a small plant, a murderous plant sign for a plant (phrases like, “my next victim”, “please don’t die”, and “I’m literally dying”), a plant mister with the custom plant potion, a soil scoop, fungus gnat traps, mini top secret note pad, and magnifying glass. You’ll also receive a coupon for the store that you can use that evening.
Each guest will receive a deviously delicious murder themed cocktail (or mocktail upon request), spooktacular snacks and murder kit with ticket price. Seating is limited to one dozen, including your host that makes for an unlucky 13.
Share your curious misadventures with us for a chance to be featured! Tag @cortlandcuriosities and use hashtag #cortlandcuriosities.