Grievous Gallery’s House Within brings spookiness indoors

Published 12:00 am Saturday, October 12, 2019

SALISBURY — The Demers are Halloween enthusiasts.

For years, they have transformed their home into a haunted house. But after opening the new location of Grievous Gallery, at 111 W. Bank St, they were able to set up a structure that people could roam to get in the spooky spirit.

It’s called the House Within. 

Over eight weeks, the Demers constructed a multiroom, Victorian-style home bringing in items from their own home, receiving donated items and even gathering tree limbs that were waiting to be picked up my the city.

House Within opens at 6:30 p.m. today and will continue on Fridays and Saturdays for the rest of the month.

Elysia Demers says she and her husband didn’t want the house to be all blood and gore but instead mysterious and designed to get the imagination running.

Inside are touches of the Victorian age with a record player that was used to communicate with the dead, a coffin with the deceased inside and a Ouigy board.

The House Within plays off the idea that of the two homes on the 111 W. Bank St. property, according to a Sanborn Map from 1913, one was not moved but instead hidden within the other.

The home would still have energy from the touch on a hand rail or a hair falling from a hair brush.

Demers said when they moved into the new location, they found plenty of lumber from what seemed like a disassembled home, fitting the story of the House Within.

After going through the House Within, participants can go through a vortex and black light display.

Demers hopes they will feel inspired to create something, even if they say they can’t paint a tree or sew a pillow. They can construct things in unexpected ways.

Grievous Gallery will have items for sale that are Halloween themed, such as a witch’s finger necklace and themed socks.

The House Within will be wheelchair-accessible. It is also family-friendly and indoors.

The Demers are looking for actors for the House Within. Those interested should email info@grievousgallery.com. Actors must be at least 16 years old.

Grievous Gallery will continue to have its break room open by appointment.

Demers recommends purchase advance tickets at holdmyticket.com/event/349670 and reserving a time. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 at door.