Old Bethpage Village Hosts "1880s Friday the 13th Weekend" on June 13-15

Talk about luck! Friday the 13th will last for three days this year at Old Bethpage Village Restoration’s “1880 Friday the 13th Weekend” event, announced Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. The program takes place June 13-15.

During the three days, the historic village will highlight superstitions and odd beliefs of 19th-century Long Island, starting on that ominous Friday the 13th. Throughout the village, costumed guides in each of the open buildings will have a different superstition to relate. (Here’s one teaser: Did you know that weddings should only take place at a time when the clock’s hands are moving toward each other, and never when they are moving away?) Visitors can console the “Jilted Bride” in the village church as they learn about wedding superstitions; chat with the grave-digger about funeral customs; and discover which of the village’s buildings are believed to be haunted.

Visitors can also try their hand at finding water with a dowsing rod, attend demonstrations of phrenology (reading character from the shape of the head), and hear stories about Long Island legends (Captain Kidd’s treasure may be buried in your backyard!).

Old Bethpage Village Restoration provides visitors with a unique and wonderful opportunity to step back in time and experience life in a recreated mid-19th-century American village set on more than 200 acres. Hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wed. - Fri. and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat. - Sun. Beginning June 27, hours on Wed. - Fri are extended until 5 p.m.

Entrance fees are $7 for children 5 - 12 (those under 5 are free), seniors and volunteer firefighters; and $10 for adults. OBVR is located on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage; for more information, call 516-572-8400.