Grand Unveiling of The Lawson Family Murder Museum - From Murder to Netflix

104 West Murphy Street,Madison NC 27025

12 March, 2023

Description

In 1929, on Christmas Day, Charlie Lawson killed his wife, six of their seven children, then himself in Germanton, NC. Their bodies were transported to Madison, NC and were laid on the second floor of Madison Dry Goods and Country Store (formally a funeral home) for the death investigations. This event will be the official opening of the expanded Lawson Family Murder Museum at Madison Dry Goods and Country Store. First, we will gather in the newly opened Richard and Kathy Miller Community Room, which was the original chapel and viewing areas for the funeral home. Here, author Trudy J. Smith, renowned author of White Christmas Bloody Christmas and The Meaning of our Tears will provide a reading from her books and a question/answer session. Her signed books will be available for purchase! Next, we will begin visits to the expanded and renovated Lawson Family Murder Museum. The museum now encompasses three original rooms - two of which were the original embalming rooms where the Lawson Family were brought shortly after the murders. Instead of the former "walk in" museum, now you are able to walk through these rooms, stepping in the same places the Lawson Family's bodies once laid. The new owner has brought his extensive private collection of Lawson Family murder memorabilia, which will be on display. Showcases will house original artifacts sold at the cabin following the murders. Newspapers from around the country will be shown on the walls, the original Lawson Family photograph will be on display, a replica of the oldest daughter's dress will be exhibited, and a revolving exhibit describing John Dillinger's connection to the murders will even show a piece of his hair! As you progress through the museum, you step through time from before, during, and after the tragic events. You will be guided by audio that plays throughout the museum, which tells the story of the Lawson Family; a completely immersive experience. Afterwards, access to the rarely seen third floor will be granted! In this space, you can peer down the elevator shaft, which brought the Lawson Family to the second floor. The original elevator is still present and in working order! In the early days, this floor was used as hotel rooms and you will be able to see the "ghost marks" from where the walls used to be. This space was filmed on the Netflix show "28 Days Haunted" and is said to be one of the most active paranormal areas in the building. This floor has never been opened to the public before. Next, samples of a raisin cake will be provided to all guests. The morning of the murders, Marie, the oldest child, baked a raisin cake. Unfortunately, no one was able to enjoy it. Following the tragic events, the cake became a popular morbid attraction at the cabin. So much so, visitors were known to steal raisins off the top to save as a souvenir. Lastly, you will be able to step upon the actual original elevator used in 1929 stationed on the first floor. This is also an area that has been strictly forbidden for guests in in the past, but for the first time ever, will be open for you to stand upon and marvel up the elevator shaft towards the second and third floors. This elevator was used to transport the Lawson Family. Photographs are permitted, but time on the elevator may be limited. All proceeds from this event will be used to maintain the museum. This is an extremely rare opportunity with many first. Tickets are limited and are on a first come first served basis. Tickets may be purchased at the store.