Overnights at the Villisca house typically begin at the museum at dusk. After a walk-thru tour of the house and grounds, Darwin will simply turn over the key and head on home. You will be asked to leave the key in a predetermined place when you leave.

Overnight tours are by reservation only and we suggest that you limit your group to ten or less. Any more than that and the small house gets even smaller. Bring your sleeping bags and pillows. (For some reason, guests have a difficult time getting rest in any of the house's beds.) If it's spring or early fall, a blanket and heavy coat are a good idea. Photographs, videotapes and audio recordings are encouraged, however, we would appreciate it if you'd share anything you may capture on film or tape.

The price for an overnight visit Sunday thru Thursday night is a minimum of $300.00 which allows for 5 guests. Each additional guest is an additional $60.00.

Friday and Saturday night tours booked after Labor Day, 2009 have a minimum of $350.00 for 5 guests. Each additional guest is an additional $70.00.

To book an overnight tour - call Darwin at 712-621-4291 or email him at dmlinn@frontiernet.net. Once Darwin confirms your date, you will need to mail a $100.00 deposit to reserve. If the deposit is not received within 7 days, your overnight will be cancelled and must be rebooked.

The remainder of the fee is due at the time of the visit. Deposits are non-refundable. If for any reason, you need to reschedule your overnight visit, you must contact Darwin at least two weeks prior to the scheduled date to keep your deposit. It will be applied to your rescheduled date but will not be refunded.

Please check our calendar by clicking on the link at the right. When a deposit has been paid on a date, it will show up on the calendar. If a date is blank, it may be open or we may be waiting on a deposit. Contact Darwin to confirm it's availability. Please do not request a date that is already reserved.

Comments from other overnight visitors:

"This house is a paranormal investigators dream."

 "We will be coming back this spring with many more people. Than you for this experience it was awsome!!!"

"I just wanted to thank Darwin and Martha for the great tour and information...I had a great time doing the overnight tour and I hope to make it back there again soon...Thanks! "

Mail your deposits to:

The Olson Linn Museum
323 E 4th Street
Villisca, Iowa 50864