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Ghost Walkers will travel through Packard history

The Packard family takes center stage in this year’s Ghost Walk.

Stephanie Young and CJ Adkins oversaw the 2024 edition of the annual event presented by the Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County and the Trumbull County Historical Society which explores some of the strange and spooky tales from Trumbull County’s past.

“We both were previously helping Barb (Root, who had written and directed the event for several years until moving out of state) as much as we could,” Adkins said.”When she left, she asked us if we would like to step in and take over. Stephanie and I are both very passionate about it, so we agreed.”

She credited Don Novorsky, a frequent Ghost Walk cast member, with suggesting the Packard family as the focus.

Adkins and Young started their research at the National Packard Museum, talking with Charles Ohlin, director of education and research.

There was only one problem.

“There are a lot of scandals involved with the family, but none of them are kind of outlandish,” Adkins said. “They were actually a very well put together family, very well rounded and everything.”

They decided to use Alaska Packard Davidson, who was the first female agent with the FBI, and take some artistic license and have her investigate the untimely death of her nephew, Warren Packard II, who died at a very young age.

“We decided to go that route, just for a little bit of intrigue,” Adkins said.

The cast features Young as Alaska Packard Davidson, Carol Jacobs Stowe as Cornelia “Olive” Packard, Deb Lockhart as Harriet Taylor Upton, Adkins as Kitty Packard, Patrick King as James “Ward” Packard, Don Novorsky as Harry Daugherty, Ron Schoch as Gaston Means, Jamison Conley as Warren “Little Warren” Packard II, Georgia Smith as Elizabeth “Bess” Packard and Melody Cochran as Carlotta Packard.

The story will unfold at different locations along or near Mahoning Avenue NW in Warren with tours leaving from First Presbyterian Church and stopping at Kinsman House, Warren City Hall, the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, John Stark Edwards House and the Harriet Taylor Upton House.

“The Packard family in general has contributed so much to our community,” Adkins said. “We have the Packard Music Hall, we have Packard Park, we have the museum. There’s so many aspects of our community that are attributed to them, but I feel like we forget about them because they’re no longer around to remind us. I really hope that this kind of humanizes them a little bit for everyone and reminds them that we as a community owe so much to the Packard family.”

If you go …

WHAT: Ghost Walk

WHEN: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Oct. 18 and 19 with tours leaving every 15 minutes

WHERE: First Presbyterian Church, 256 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren

HOW MUCH: $10 adults and $5 for children ages 12 and younger and available in advance through Eventbrite.

Starting at $2.99/week.

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