×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Former West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville Plans Romantic Fright

Photo by Drew Parker West Virginia Penitentiary maintenance technicians Seth Hill, right, and Sean Cooley prepare burlap masks for an upcoming event at the Moundsville facility.

Staff at the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville are inviting visitors to trade in flowers and chocolate for scares this Valentine’s Day weekend.

“In the Heart of the Dungeon,” slated for Feb. 11, will include a catered dinner for two before each couple is whisked away for an evening of shocks and thrills.

Unlike the “Dungeon of Horrors” Halloween attraction, the event is more extreme, allowing for more than 30 actors to touch, blindfold and bind participants. As part of the nearly two-hour event, couples will run and crawl through winding mazes and uneven surfaces in the dark.

Participants will be given a “safe word” if they wish to exit the experience early.

According to general manager Tom Stiles, the experience — designed to play on common phobias and anxieties — is best for advanced thrill seekers who are comfortable with being bound to tables, blindfolded, locked into small spaces and more.

“This is going to be an extreme event. We’re not trying to scare you — we’re trying to terrorize you,” Stiles said. “We will play on all of your anxieties. Sight, touch and sound will all be involved. If you have any anxieties, most likely we’re going to play on them.”

Penitentiary maintenance technicians Seth Hill and Sean Cooley collaborated to design the frightful event. Hill said  the event will feature common fears and scares, along with possible visits from the penitentiary’s resident bats.

“We were actually going to plan an extreme haunted house at my home but when we got hired we pitched the idea to Tom,” Hill said. “It focuses on fears. Claustrophobia will be a major phobia included, along with fear of insects and fear of the dark.”

Cooley said “Into the Heart of the Dungeon” is the penitentiary’s first off-season event.

“We hope to make a larger show in the future with added days instead of just the one night,” Cooley said.

Limited tickets can be purchased at wvpentours.com. Available reservation times include 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. for the one-night event. Participants must be at least 18 years old.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today