50 years of frights: Sheboygan volunteer-run haunted house is Wisconsin’s longest-running

A volunteer-run haunted house in Sheboygan is celebrating 50 years of scaring the community to raise money for local charities.

Organizers say the Dominion of Terror, operated by local civic organization the Sheboygan Jaycees, is the longest running haunted house in Wisconsin. 

What started in the 1970s with actors in masks and street clothes has developed into a full build out with animatronics, prosthetics and plenty of fake blood and weapons.

John Ader, Ashley VanDeWege and Jodie Zajkowski are all co-chairs in charge of the haunt, which now spans three floors and over 30 rooms in a permanent space donated to the Jaycees by another non-profit organization, RCS Empowers.

Ader told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” that they use the building most of the year, with volunteers from the Jaycees planning the layout of the scares in the spring and starting to build as early as Memorial Day.

“There’s always an influx of new people coming in, maybe not so much interested in haunted housing, until they actually see it,” Ader said. “Then they become hooked for life, as the three of us are.”

The continued success of the Dominion of Terror motivates them to make it more frightening every year. 

VanDeWege told WPR it leads to some friendly competition among volunteers to come up with the best scares.

“This year, especially being the 50th [year], the pressure was definitely on to make sure that we highlighted and accented all of our strengths within the haunt and within the Jaycees.” VanDeWege said.

This year also marks the 100th year of the Sheboygan chapter of the Jaycees. It’s a service organization that promotes civic engagement for young adults, headlined by public events like the Dominion of Terror.

Zajkowski told WPR that the commitment and dedication from volunteers is what has kept the haunted house growing year after year.  

“I think the passion of all the people who work together to get this put on every single year just helps create a bigger and better house every year.” Zajkowski said. “Everybody who works on it all the time just loves it and it’s contagious. People see us loving it and want to join in the fun.”

Proceeds from the fear and screaming will go to support other nonprofit organizations in the Sheboygan area. 

VanDeWege said the Jaycees haven’t decided which charities they’ll donate to this year, but previously the list has included anti-bullying campaigns, mental health groups and organizations that support police dogs.

The last two nights of the season for the Dominion of Terror are Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2, open from 7-10 p.m.