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Stonecraft History Museum
Stonecraft History Museum
One of the newer attractions in town is the Stonecraft History Museum, an indoor walkthrough attraction set within the Gatehouse, a small but palatial-looking structure located near the gates of the Gracey estate. The small museum aims to provide you, the guests, with more background information about the town as well as the Gracey family, its founders.
In addition to the enshrined artifacts from the Gracey family collection, the Stonecraft History Museum brings to life 6 key moments in Stonecraft's history. From the triumphs of Mr. Nicholas Gracey, the Gracey family progenitor, to the spectacular founding of Stonecraft, history will surely come alive within this space. Of course, things aren't always as they seem in this place, so you better take a good second look at each diorama as you have a look around...
A rendering of the Gracey estate's gatehouse during its heyday.
The static porcelain dioramas will come to life, literally, through lighting and projection mapping techniques. Think of each diorama as a 3D version of the Changing Portraits from the Haunted Mansions. As lightning flashes, the diorama scenes changes, revealing that there is more to it than what was initially seen.
The 6 miniature dioramas are as follows:
Triumph at Sea: Mr. Nicholas Gracey, the head of the Gracey family, is shown on the deck of his ship undertaking one of his seafaring expeditions.
The twist: Nicholas is actually the fearsome Nine-Headed Nick, a dastardly pirate in search of treasure and pleasure. He is seen taking on a furious expression while raising a whip towards the viewers while the helpless crew looks on.
Return to the New World: A triumphant Nine-Headed Nick, now known as Mr. Nicholas Gracey, is seen at a press conference in New York surrounded by his newfound glittering treasures.
One of the treasure chests he brought home with him was the fabled Caducus chest, containing the world's rarest and most powerful treasures
The twist: Mr. Gracey's expression turns into a devious one as blood appears to spill from the treasures displayed around him.
Nine-Headed Nick slaughtered his own crew to hoard the treasures they found for his own. Little did he know that the Caducus has the power to attract and bind familiar souls within its confines and unleash them on the person who has wronged it.
The Nouveau Riche Gracey: Having sold off the majority of the treasures he found/hoarded for himself to start a coal-mining business, Mr. Gracey is now seen as a wealthy man and having his portrait painted in his New York City home.
The twist: The genteel-looking Mr. Gracey turns into a fearsome, sneering person.
The Founding of the Gracey Family: Mr. Gracey is seen marrying Ms. Heidi van Rhijn of the elite van Rhijn family in an elaborate wedding ceremony.
The twist: As lightning flashes, multiple disembodied apparitions appear to reach out to the newlyweds, signifying that their family is marked for death and misfortune.
The Taming of the Wilderness: Mr. Gracey is seen leading an expedition in the forests of the Hudson River Valley in search of his mountainside retreat.
The twist: The disembodied spirits, now taking on the form of Mr. Gracey's former crew members (the ones he slaughtered/murdered), are seen peering through the trees with a vengeful expression on their faces.
The Founding of Stonecraft Grove and the Gracey Estate: In a spectacular ceremony, the ever-growing Gracey family opens Stonecraft Grove, their peaceful home away from home.
The Gracey family is depicted standing by the gates of their new estate with their palatial home looming behind them while curious bystanders and invited guests look on.
The twist: The scene takes on a terrifying tone as it transforms to the day when the Gracey family are forced from Stonecraft.
The grand house is set on fire, while spirits are seen racing around it frantically and wildly.
Nicholas and his three eldest children will only be lit from the neck down, signifying their deaths in the event.
Heidi and her three youngest children's faces take on a terrified expression.
Stonecraft Graveyard
Stonecraft Graveyard
Stonecraft Graveyard is an outdoor walkthrough attraction, set in a forest. Primarily atmospheric in nature, the graveyard uses multiple effects to produce a quiet, slightly unsettling aura. Densely-packed trees surround a narrow, winding path that meanders its way through the graveyard. Of special importance are the tombstones of former members of the Gracey family. If you watch closely, you may notice their otherworldly bodies materialize and wander around parts of the graveyard. Observant guests may also notice the humorous inscriptions on all the tombstones in the graveyard. Some even contain riddles or easter eggs referencing rather familiar ghosts from a certain Mansion...
Lighting, mist and fog, Pepper's Ghost illusions, projections, and ambient sounds all contribute to the illusion that the graveyard is haunted. Materials were also picked with care, and emphasis was placed on choosing sound-absorbent surfaces. By hearing less of other guests, you subconsciously feel more lonely, adding to the overall effect of the graveyard. Guests will hear one thing for certain, however: the screams from the nearby mine.
Next: Murphy Mine
Next: Murphy Mine
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