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Greetings
from
Falcon Rest's "Victorian Gentleman"
Falcon Rest --
The Victorian mansion where
history is fun -- McMinnville, Tenn.
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www.falconrest.com
 Guests call Murder at the Mansion "magical"
I realized we had
come up with something special the first time we performed "Murder at
the Mansion" in June 2001. It was a fund-raiser for a local
charity. We'd made audience members the stars of the show, giving
them
the characters of real people living in the area and beyond in
1897. We didn't give them any lines; just let them ad lib as much
(or as little) as they liked. It wasn't long before they were
rolling with
laughter -- and local audiences are always the toughest.
Since then we've performed the play hundreds of times -- for senior
church group day trips, school groups, motorcoach groups from
across the country, even wedding rehearsal dinners. Time
and again we've been touched as our guests said what a
wonderful experience they'd had, like the shy 80-year-old cancer
survivor who told his wife, "If something happens to me tonight, please
call all my friends on the bus trip and tell them I had more fun than I
have ever had in one day at Falcon Rest."
However, I don't think anyone has described the
experience
better than a local junior college student in an essay she wrote
about her experience at a recent fundraiser performance. She came
to
get extra class credit ... but I'll let her tell the story.
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Murder
at the Mansion
by
Callie Milburn
Although
it has been over two months since I attended "Murder at the Mansion" at
Falcon Rest, I can remember the experience like it was yesterday.
I
remember that, in the beginning, I was quite apprehensive to attend the
event. I needed extra credit because I had done poorly on my
previous
test, but I was apprehensive to shell out thirty-five dollars for an
event I knew so little about. Being a college freshman, I was
afraid
that I would have to sit awkwardly alone at a table. I honestly
thought the night would be uncomfortable and boring. Thankfully,
Mrs.
Williams convinced me to attend, and I was, pleasantly and
surprisingly, surrounded by a group of people who simply wanted to have
an enjoyable evening. Although I have visited Falcon Rest in the
past,
my experience that chilly, rainy February night surpassed all others.
The night's event
began to unfold as
each person was assigned a historical identity. I was designated
the
part of Susan B. Anthony, the great advocate of women's rights. I
was
honored to portray such a legend. As the party moved into the
grand
dining room, I found myself surrounded by other historic legends, many
of whom once lived in McMinnville, Tenn. As the night continued,
I
realized that I was no longer sitting through a delicious meal for
school extra credit, but was sitting in the presence of historical
royalty. Of course, most everyone was dressed in 21st century
attire,
but clothes didn't matter much because the fellowship masked our
appearances; we were simply capturing the human spirit, a character
without a face. Everyone portrayed his or her character to a
"T". I
noticed that the people seated throughout the room were no longer my
schoolmates, but historical peers. It was magical; everyone
carried
himself or herself a little bit taller, a little bit greater. The
weight of the past lay on our shoulders, and we knew it. The
event was
unscripted, but no one seemed to care much; we spoke from the heart,
making the night even more realistic, even more charming.
It was
almost a "Cinderella" type of
moment when the final gunshots rang out and the host and hostess bid
everyone adieu. The audience once again realized that the night
had
been an enchantment and the spell had been broken. It was back
out
into the cold drizzle, a walk to our cars, and home. But, driving
home
that night, I took a trip down Main Street, it was not necessarily the
fastest route home; in fact, it was a bit out of the way, but I felt
compelled to take it. As I slowly cruised down the tiny road, I
looked
at the old buildings and, although it was dark, I saw them in a light I
had never seen before. They were alive with the spirits of the
men and
women who had built and roamed them not so very long ago. I
suddenly
felt proud to be a part of something so special. As I crawled
into bed
that night, I drifted into dream knowing that I was born and raised in
a small town, a small town with a big spirit. And that was good
enough
for me. |
 Adding
a stop at Falcon Rest for a performance of Murder at the Mansion may
not sell that trip. However, it will
help sell the next one. Your folks will think any tour operator
who can find a stop that is so unexpected and so much fun is one they
want to travel with again and again. We hope to see you soon at
Falcon Rest.
The Victorian
Gentleman
LEFT:
The Victorian
Gentleman and Lady (this time out of costume) have fun with friends at
the 2006 Tennessee Motorcoach Association meeting.
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Fun
and Food for Tour Groups of All Ages
A
Victorian mansion called "Tennessee's Biltmore" by PBS --
humorous tales from the past --
food like Grandma used to make --
an 1890s department store -- and
a friendly ghost.
They all add up to a special
entertainment and meal stop your folks will never forget!
Click pictures for details.
Vaudeville-Style
History Show & Tour
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"Murder
at the Mansion" Play/Banquet/Tour
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"Ghost at the Mansion" Play/Meal
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School
Trips that Prove History
Is Fun
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MEMBER: ABA, NTA,
Tennessee Motorcoach Assn.
For
more information, directions, or
to make reservations,
see our web site www.falconrest.com,
e-mail falconrest@falconrest.com
or call (931) 668-4444.
2645 Faulkner Springs Rd. * McMinnville, TN 37110
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