Denton Professors Host Medieval Ghost Story Reading
The annual event brings historical narratives to the community through a performance at Harvest House.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Cultural
Live Poll
Do free, non-commercial community events help improve neighborhood cohesion in your area?
University history professors held a medieval ghost story reading event featuring works by Edgar Allan Poe and Thietmar of Merseburg. The second annual performance aimed to engage the Denton community with history through costumed storytelling.
Why it matters
Organizers moved the event to a larger venue this year to accommodate higher attendance levels than the previous year. The gathering serves to bridge the gap between academic research and public engagement through immersive performance.
The event moved to 331 E. Hickory St. to accommodate crowds, leaving behind the previous 122 E. McKinney St. location. More than a dozen students attended to receive extra credit for their coursework.
The players
Kathryne Beebe
She is a professor who organized the medieval ghost story event.
Kerry Goldmann
She is a participant who performed readings during the event.
Megan Bryan
She is a participant who performed readings during the event.
The details
Professors led the session by reading historical and literary texts, including 11th-century works by Thietmar of Merseburg, while incorporating audience participation. Readers dressed in costumes to portray ghosts and historical figures, creating an immersive atmosphere for the audience.
Timeline
The inaugural medieval ghost story event occurred in 2025.
The second annual ghost story event took place in October 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This performance follows the pattern set by the 2025 inaugural medieval ghost story event, marking the second year of this local cultural engagement. It signals a trend of academic institutions utilizing public spaces to expand the reach of historical education.
Residents can attend these performances to experience historical texts in an interactive format that goes beyond traditional classroom settings. Students enrolled in specific history courses can secure extra credit by participating in these public academic gatherings.
The takeaway
Attending public academic performances provides an accessible way to engage with complex historical themes outside of a university setting. Readers interested in local history should look for similar community-focused educational events hosted by nearby academic departments.
Further reading
Learn more about local cultural events in the Denton Cultural section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by North Texas Daily.
Live Poll
Do free, non-commercial community events help improve neighborhood cohesion in your area?
