You can rub shoulders with some of the rich, famous and notorious guests who visited West Baden Springs during its heyday in the early 1900s during monthly Twilight Tours at the National Historic Landmark hotel. The tours are offered at 7 p.m. on May 28, June 25, July 23, August 13 and September 17.

West Baden Springs attracted the rich and famous from around the globe during the early 20th Century as people sought out the healing mineral springs. The 75-minute Twilight Tour relates stories from the early days, delivered by costumed characters. This year, the 100th anniversary of World War I, visitors will hear from actors playing Nurse Alice Beatle and Lt. Col. Raymond Bliss about how West Baden Springs served as an Army Hospital for nine months in 1918.

An actor will portray palm reader Mademoiselle Louise, a former school teacher, who took a correspondence course in the art of palmistry, then worked full time in the hotel charging 50 cents for a reading. Also back this year is crowd-favorite Margaret Brown, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” who tells of her harrowing experience aboard the Titanic. Other actors portray Show Boat author Edna Ferber and Chicago gangster Big Jim Colosimo.

New characters introduced this year include silver screen cowboy Tom Mix, a friend of the family that owned the hotel, and famed defense attorney and civil libertarian Clarence Darrow.

Twilight Tours on May 28, June 25, July 23, August 13 and September 17 begin at 7 p.m. The cost is $15 ($14 for Indiana Landmarks members) and $10 for children 13 and under.

Reserve tickets online at http://twilighttours2016.eventbrite.com.

WHAT: Twilight Tours at West Baden Springs takes visitors on a tour of the hotel’s colorful history.

WHEN: May 28, June 25, July 23, Aug.13, and Sept. 17. The 75-minute tours begin at 7 p.m.

WHERE: West Baden Springs Hotel near French Lick in Orange County

WHO: Staged by Indiana Landmarks, with actors portraying some of the famous and infamous people who stayed at the hotel in the early 20th Century.

COST: $15 per person ($14 for Indiana Landmarks members); $10 for children 13 and younger.

RSVP: http://twilighttours2016.eventbrite.com, Sandi Woodward, French Lick-West Baden Program Coordinator, 866-571-8687, swoodward@indianalandmarks.org.

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sandi Woodward, Indiana Landmarks French Lick – West Baden Program Coordinator, 866-571-8687 (toll free) or 812-936-5870, swoodward@indianalandmarks.org

###

Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, reconnects us to our heritage, and saves meaningful places. With nine offices located throughout the state, Indiana Landmarks helps people rescue endangered landmarks and restore historic neighborhoods and downtowns. People who join Indiana Landmarks receive its bimonthly magazine, Indiana Preservation. For more information on the not-for-profit organization, call 317-639-4534, 800-450-4534, or visit www.indianalandmarks.org.