Birch Street Manor raises funds for Musical Comedy Guild

Chris Moore is the master of Birch Street Manor, a delightfully spooky house he decorated. 

Every Halloween, Moore, the sales and marketing coordinator at Quattro Hotel, decorates the inside of his house from top to bottom: each room featuring something completely different. 

This year’s overarching theme is Oddities & Curiosities, and all the donations collected from visitors go to help support the Musical Comedy Guild.

“Theming is probably the largest part of this,” said Moore gesturing to the room full of ornate mirrors, portraits, puppets, trinket boxes and even a mini mermaid skeleton.

Setting up the house to completion takes anywhere from 40-50 hours or more. 

Birch Street Manor, located at 12 Birch St., is a labour of love that has evolved over time. 

It all started with Moore’s annual family tradition of transforming their porch for Halloween. 

“We had a lot of fun doing it, and then as I grew up…I bought a house and I was like, I can do much more than a porch,” said Moore. 

Seven rooms have been transformed, from an interdimensional bathroom with portals leading to alternative realities, a cannibal’s feast in the kitchen, the three witches’ apothecary in the attic and the laboratory in the basement. 

Each room is decked out with intricate props, most handmade and all specially selected to fit the vibe. “I wouldn’t use the term horror, more macabre, vignettes, they’re scenes,” Moore said.  

And they all contain a different story that Moore shares with each guest.

After two years of throwing Halloween parties and decorating his entire house, it didn’t make sense to take it down right away. 

“It kind of got to the point where I’m like– why am I decorating it just for one day? Maybe I’ll just tour all of my friends through?” he said. 

A tour generally consists of telling people about how ideas came up, theming, where props come from, what was made, and how Moore made them. 

“It’s basically me doing a show and tell of what I did with the house,” said Moore with a laugh. 

Ironically, Moore isn’t a fan of horror movies. It’s the creative aspect that has him hooked.  

“When I go to stores now, I’ll be looking at things not as what they are but what they can be.” 

Along with preparing Birch Street Manor, Moore is assisting with two weddings with Quattro and is actively involved in the theatre community. Currently playing the role of Mal in the Musical Comedy Guild’s production of The Addams Family. 

Working around rehearsal time, he started private tours Saturday, Oct. 22 and will be extending them until Friday, Nov. 18. 

Moore is planning to rent a space and offer public tours of the Birch Street Manor experience next year.

Everyone who tours Birch Street Manor is invited to make a donation towards its upkeep and future displays. However, this year, all proceeds collected will be gifted to the Musical Comedy Guild. 

As the season changes from spooky to sleigh bells, Moore expects to be ready.

“I have started accumulating things to decorate for Christmas, but nothing this extreme,” said Moore, gesturing around him with a chuckle, “Halloween is my holiday.” 

If you’d like to contribute, any donation to Musical Comedy Guild in the name of Birch Street Manor or #birchstreetmanor2022 would be greatly appreciated.