Las Cruces – New Mexico State University is opening its museum halls to the community for the second annual Nightmare at the Museums fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 30, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event will take place in Kent Hall and Devasthali Hall on the NMSU campus, offering a blend of spooky entertainment and educational activities for all ages.
What’s on the schedule
Attendees can explore a haunted lab tour, join a costume contest, and follow a trick‑or‑treat scavenger hunt that winds through the university’s collections. Younger children will enjoy scary stories, a movie screening, and a variety of crafts, while older teens and adults can try their hand at an exquisite corpse drawing station in the University Art Museum.
The museums will showcase highlights from each of NMSU’s specialty collections: eerie objects from the Library Special Collections & Archives, insects from the Arthropod Museum, odd specimens from the Vertebrate Museum, and fossils with hands‑on activities from the Zuhl Museum. The University Museum will offer flashlight tours of its anthropology exhibits, giving participants a chance to learn about regional cultures in a dimly lit setting.
Tickets and admission
Tickets cost $13 per person for anyone 13 years old and up. Children 12 and under and NMSU students with a valid ID can enter for free. Wristbands will be distributed at the courtyard entrance to Kent Hall, located at 1280 East University Avenue, across from the intersection of Solano Drive and University Avenue.
Why the fundraiser matters
Proceeds from the evening support NMSU’s museums and collections, helping to preserve and expand the university’s cultural and scientific resources. “We had a fantastic time with this event last year,” said Kelly Jenks, Director of the University Museum. “More than 300 people came and everyone was really impressed with all the cool things we had to offer. Our students are feeling the pressure to make this year’s event bigger and spookier!”
The university emphasizes that the fundraiser is both a community‑building occasion and an educational opportunity. By inviting families to explore the museums in a fun, Halloween‑themed setting, NMSU hopes to foster a lifelong appreciation for history, science and the arts among local youth.
How to get involved
Tickets can be purchased online via the link provided in the original announcement. Volunteers are also welcome to assist with event setup, guiding tours and managing the costume contest. For more information, contact Azure Mitchell at [email protected].
Whether you’re a student, a parent looking for a safe Halloween activity, or a longtime museum enthusiast, the Nightmare at the Museums fundraiser promises a night of learning, laughter and a few well‑placed scares.
Original reporting: Organ Mountain News (Las Cruces / Doña Ana County) — read the source article.
