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Boy, 16, Spends Months Turning His Family's Home into Haunted House Every Year for a Good Cause

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  Published in House and Home on Saturday, October 25th 2025 at 12:40 GMT by People
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The Homecoming of a Ghost‑Lover

At the heart of the story is Tyler Harper, a senior at Coatsville High School, who grew up surrounded by the ghost‑story tradition of rural Pennsylvania. Tyler’s mother, a former schoolteacher, remembers telling him about the “spirit stories” that have long been passed down in their family. He says he first thought of turning the house into a haunted attraction when a movie set design class at the school asked students to build a “costume‑ready set” for a short film. “I didn’t just want to build a set,” Tyler told the People interview. “I wanted the whole house to become a character.”

Tyler’s vision was ambitious: to create a multi‑room experience that combined classic jump‑scares, elaborate fog machines, and an immersive storyline that followed a supposed family curse tied to the house’s history. He spent months studying the house’s original architectural plans, repurposing old attic space into a “crypt” and converting the basement into a “demon’s lair.” By the time the article was written, the house boasted hundreds of light fixtures that could be programmed to change colors, hidden speakers that emitted recorded creaks, and a network of motion‑detectors that triggered traps in the hallway.

From Hobby to Community Event

Tyler’s mother, Lillian Harper, recounts how the project quickly grew beyond a single student’s obsession. After Tyler posted photos of his progress on Instagram, local residents began dropping by to see the “living” decorations. Within a few weeks, the entire neighborhood knew about the haunted house and started to plan their own visits. In a twist, Tyler turned the house into a fundraiser for the local animal rescue, “Paws & Wails,” by hosting an overnight stay for a group of volunteers and charging a modest admission fee. The event raised over $2,000, enough to purchase new equipment for the rescue’s shelter.

The article notes that Tyler was careful to keep the project safe. He consulted with his school’s physics teacher about the electrical wiring needed for the trap mechanisms, and he signed a liability waiver for anyone who might be visiting the house. Tyler even put a “No Trespassing” sign outside and made sure the “haunted house” was clearly labeled on Google Maps to avoid any confusion for drivers.

Local News Spotlight

In addition to People’s coverage, the piece links to a local news story from WNEP (CBS 5) that goes into further detail about the community’s reaction. The WNEP segment features interviews with neighbors who say the house has become a new holiday attraction for the town. One resident remarked that “the house is a whole new experience every year.” The local news article also highlighted the school’s role in the project. The Coatsville High School’s drama club performed a short production in the house’s “main hall,” and the students were thrilled to see their set come to life.

A second link in the People.com article directs readers to Tyler’s own YouTube channel, “Tyler’s Haunted Happenings.” The channel hosts several videos, including a “behind‑the‑scenes” look at how he rigged the trap in the attic, a “tutorial on making fog machines” for aspiring haunted house designers, and a “live walkthrough” of the house during a recent Halloween event. The channel’s comment section is buzzing with other teens who want to start their own haunted houses and ask for Tyler’s advice on safety protocols and creative inspiration.

The Bigger Picture

The People.com article also places Tyler’s work within a larger trend of teens using technology and creativity to produce experiential events. Citing the success of other teen‑run pop‑up events, the writers note that Tyler’s project could serve as a template for future projects that combine art, engineering, and community service. They also point out that the family’s willingness to let the public into their private space demonstrates a generous spirit that is especially noteworthy in an era of “home‑is‑home” anxiety.

Looking Forward

As the article concludes, Tyler is already planning his next iteration of the haunted house. While the current setup will remain open for the next two holidays, he hopes to add a “ghostly” VR experience that will allow visitors to “step inside” the haunted house without physically entering the house itself. He also mentions an upcoming partnership with the local library to host a horror‑story writing contest, which will allow young writers to bring their own narratives to life in the house.

In sum, People’s feature captures not just the spooky allure of a teen’s imaginative project, but also the ripple effect it has on a tight‑knit community. By turning a family home into a haunted experience, Tyler Harper has created a shared space for creativity, philanthropy, and the thrill of a well‑crafted scare.