Located in the historic Tulpehocken Station District of Philadelphia, Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion is committed to staging plays that interpret the era between c. 1837 and 1915 for a contemporary audience while being surrounded by the ornate interiors of the city’s restored Victorian house museum.

Spirts of Historic Germantown

A new production by Tom Keels and Larry Arigalestarring Steven Bray

 

Take a stroll through the grounds and parlors of the historic Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion in Germantown. On your journey you will encounter some notable Philadelphians who lived in Germantown, and hear their stories.

 

The Monk of the Wissahickon. A journalist, labor activist, best-selling author who grew up in Germantown. An African-American caterer, restaurateur, philanthropist, and real estate entrepreneur who became one of the first black millionaires in America. A Germantown resident who became the first African-American woman to receive a degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. The founder of the Grey Panthers after she was forced to retire at age 65, and a fierce activist for integration, women’s rights, and mental health issues. A resident of the Mansion who met his end mysteriously in NYC.

A lively and intriguing alternative to a scary haunted house this season, these historic spirits will entertain and amuse you as you make your way through the 40 min tour of the picturesque house and gardens of Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion. Suitable for all audiences!

Saturday October 25, 2025 
6:00pm-8:30pm

Tours Every 20 min at:
6:00pm, 6:20pm, 6:40pm, 7:00pm, 7:20pm, 7:40pm, 8:00pm, 8:20pm

Growing Flowers on the Moon

Coming in November!

Our Production History

ANNUAL MURDER MYSTERY EVENTS

Written and directed by Josh Hitchens unless otherwise noted, with special effects by Jay Efran

2008 – Death of a Titanic Survivor

2009 – Murder in the Animal Kingdom

2010 – Good to the Last Ghost

2011 – A House Divided

2012 – The Borden Tragedy

2013 – Twisted: A Dickensian Murder Mystery (Written by Edward G. Pettit)

2014 Diary of a Murder

2015 – The Case of the Cursed Doll

2016 – Mystery in the House of Usher: A Poe Tale (Written by Edward G. Pettit)

2017 – Death Takes a Curtain Call

2018 – A Séance to Remember

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY (2010)

Adapted and Performed by Josh Hitchens, from the book from Charles Dickens

*Performed annually at the Dickens Christmas Party

STOKER’S DRACULA: A SOLO TALE OF TERROR (2011)

Adapted and Performed by Josh Hitchens, from the novel by Bram Stoker

*Presented in partnership with the Rosenbach Museum and Library

THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES: A STUDY IN SCARLET (2012)

Adapted by Josh Hitchens from the book by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Directed by Jay Efran

Featuring Josh Hitchens, Jason Graboski, Rachel Gluck, Christopher Morse, Gerson Alexander, Alexander McDermott

*Presented in partnership with the Mutter Museum

BLOOD RELATIONS (2012)

Written by Sharon Pollock; Directed by Josh Hitchens

Featuring Megan Edelman, Karen Stevens, Robert Bauer, Sandy Clay Bauer, Janet Wasser, Jim Kelsh, Josh Hitchens

* Presented on August 4, 2012, the 120th anniversary of the Borden murders.

THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE SPECKLED BAND (2013)

Adapted by Jason Graboski from the story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Directed by Jay Efran

Featuring Josh Hitchens, Jason Graboski, Jessica Evans, Gerson Alexander

*Presented in partnership with the Mutter Museum

A DOLL’S HOUSE (2013)

Written by Henrik Ibsen; Adapted and Directed by Josh Hitchens

Featuring Jennifer Summerfield, Megan Edelman, Carl Granieri, Linda Minster, Ryan Walter, Peter Zielinski

*Presented in partnership with the American Swedish Historical Museum

THE ADVENURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES: A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA (2014)

Adapted by Josh Hitchens from the story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Directed by Jay Efran

Featuring Josh Hitchens, Jason Graboski, Loretta Vasile, Peter Zielinski

*Presented in partnership with the Mutter Museum

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (2014)

Written by William Shakespeare; Directed by Josh Hitchens

Featuring Megan Edelman, Josh Hitchens, Ken Jordan, Noah Levine, Edward G. Pettit, Jennifer Summerfield, Loretta Vasile, Ryan Walter, Peter Zielinski

THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE VALLEY OF FEAR (2015)

Adapted by Josh Hitchens from the novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Directed by Jay Efran

Featuring: Josh Hitchens, Peter Zielinski, Patrick McAndrew, Megan Edelman, Sue Edelman, Sam Miller, Edward G. Pettit, Brian Weiser

*Presented in partnership with the Mutter Museum

THE YELLOW WALLPAPER (2016)

Written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman; Directed by Josh Hitchens

Featuring: Jennifer Summerfield

*Presented in partnership with the Mutter Museum

LITTLE WOMEN (2016)

Written by Louisa May Alcott; Adapted and Directed by Josh Hitchens

Featuring: Christina Higgins, Megan Edelman, Molly Edelman, Sue Edelman, Sam Fineman, Allison Kessler, Brian Weiser

TRIBULATION PERIWINKLE: CIVIL WAR NURSE (2017)

Written by Louisa May Alcott; Adapted and Directed by Josh Hitchens

Featuring: Christina Higgins

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (2017)

Written by Lucy Maud Montgomery; Adapted and Directed by Josh Hitchens

Featuring: Molly Edelman, Megan Edelman, Sam Fineman, Noel Hanley, Allison Kessler, Ryan Walter, Janet Wasser

THREE SISTERS (2018)

Written by Anton Chekhov; Directed by Josh Hitchens & Ryan Walter

Featuring: Megan Edelman, Molly Edelman, Sue Edelman, Sam Fineman, Jacob Glickman, C. J. Higgins, Josh Hitchens, Allison Kessler, Amber Orion, Geremy Webne-Behrman, Peter Zielinski.

Stay Tuned for Upcoming Victorian Theatre

 

Testimonials

The Mission of Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion is to showcase Victorian era Philadelphia through the architecture, grounds/gardens, and collections; and to educate, entertain and inspire through onsite educational programming, tours, theatre events and lectures.

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