During the day, few things could be as peaceful and serene as Historic Jefferson College.

A large mowed lawn, Live Oak trees, a little Spanish moss dripping artfully here and there, lovely old brick buildings, silhouetted against a bright blue sky … but when night falls, things get a little spookier looking.

It’s dark out here, really dark. And those trees can take on some menacing shapes, and let’s not even talk about the creepy caress of the Spanish moss as it brushes against your cheek in the night! The buildings, so bright and cheery at 8 in the morning, become hulking masses at 8 at night, with shiny spots where the windows are — kind of like a lot of eyes watching you.

So what better place to feature Horror Week? Through Thursday, the public is invited out to experience our site at night.  The week will begin with a Halloween Horror Film Fest, featuring three classic zombie cult films!

The movies will be shown in the West Wing each night, beginning at 7 p.m. Just follow the lights on the sidewalk to the far right building.

Admission is free, and participants are encouraged to bring a comfortable folding chair, a blanket (because there is no heat) and a brave friend. Snacks and soft drinks will be available for sale. Parents are advised that some of the movies may not be suitable for young children.

This year we will show one movie each night, and they are some doozies!

These are old-school cult films, with a high “camp” factor, which makes them probably a bit more funny than scary, and provides a good look at what passed for “normal” culture during the 1930s-1950s. Men with skinny ties?  Check. Lots of smoking and drinking? Check. Paranoia about rampant Communism?  Check. Fear of anything nonconformist? Check.

Sounds like a film festival to me!

Tonight’s film is “Teenage Zombies” (1959).  Our last show, on Wednesday, is actually a classic early zombie thriller — “White Zombie” (1932), starring Bela Lugosi, and is probably my favorite of the bunch.

Horror Week ends on Thursday with ghost tales around the campfire, featuring local storytellers sharing haunting yarns about the Natchez area. This family-friendly activity is great for all ages, begins at 7 and is free of charge. Visitors may wish to bring blankets or chairs. Horror Week is sponsored by Edward St. Pe’ Films, Phat River Studios, Brown Bottling Group/Natchez Pepsi Cola and CableOne.

Historic Jefferson College is located off U.S. 61 North, in Washington, 4 miles northeast of Natchez. For information call 601-442-2901.

Robin Seage Person is the branch director at Historic Jefferson College.